Hitchcock Bulldogs, Gilmer Buckeyes, Llano Yellowjackets and Tyler Chapel Hill Bulldogs headline the top Texas high school football defensive lines in 4A and 3A.
Celina has a wealth of experience from the defensive line returning on its state championship team.
It starts with senior tackle Cameron Lucas, the District 7-4A DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior with 67.5 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Coach Bill Elliott refers to him as Aaron Donald after the future NFL Hall of Famer for his explosion and power. Lucas can play anywhere along the formation.
Senior Karter Lorick (6-0, 220) is a big-time rugby player who brings a hard-nosed style to the interior of the defensive line. Speaking of second-sport kids, senior Lawson Allen (6-2, 210) went to regionals in the discus. Coach Elliott describes Allen, whose father played collegiately at Oklahoma, as a program kid.
Senior Case Chelf (6-1, 185) started all of last season as a strong safety/outside linebacker, but look for him to slide into the ‘Bear’ defensive end position in 2025.
Pleasant Grove may have lost Lance Jackson (Texas) to graduation, but the cupboard is far from bare.
2028 edge rusher Kedrid Smith (6-3, 225) was the District 7-4A DII Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. He posted 48 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as Jackson’s primary backup. His sister, Sa’Myah, won back-to-back state basketball championships at DeSoto and a national championship at LSU.
While Smith has the most offers, 2026 edge Jaylon Foster (6-1, 210) has the most returning production with 89 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Foster has played on varsity since his freshman year. Coach Josh Gibson describes him as one of the hardest-working defensive players he’s ever coached.
Another name to know on the edge: 2027 prospect Kai Ringwood. The junior is a newcomer to varsity, but every DI coach asks about him when they stop by PG. His wingspan at 6'5, 240 provides a high ceiling.
In the interior, 2026 prospect Zion Lewis is a returning starter who’s an anchor at tackle (580-pound squatter).
There’s a dearth of rushing lanes when Stephenville defensive tackle Kolton Dearth is requiring double- and triple-teams in the middle of the line of scrimmage. Coach Sterling Doty describes the senior as an absolute beast at 6-3, 305 pounds. Dearth holds offers to Tulsa, Army and Air Force.
2026 edge rusher CJ Spellmeier (6-2, 205) is one of Class 4A’s most intriguing athletes. Spellmeier ran the anchor leg on Stephenville's program record-setting 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams, which included Texas Tech wide receiver signee Tristan Gentry. He also ran a 49-second 400 meters. Spellmeier is most dangerous on the football field when he’s rushing the passer (18 tackles for loss, nine sacks).
Junior defensive tackle Nolan Griswold played in 14 games as a sophomore and racked up 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. The 6-1, 265-pound counterpart to Dearth plays with excellent technique.
On the edge, 2027 prospect Jackson Richmond (6-5, 220) started last season on the JV, but moved up midway through the year because he was so dominant. By season’s end, he was starting.
Look for junior Johnny Fehler to play both defensive tackle and defensive end. His versatility is a boon for Stephenville’s depth.
The Bulldogs return three players on their defensive line who’ve started since sophomore year when the team reached the state championship game.
Defensive tackle Isaiah Collins (6-0, 275) was a TSWA Second Team All-State selection with 118 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. His fellow tackle, Henry Thirkhill, was sidelined for half of last year with a torn meniscus. Any questions on if he’s back at full strength were answered when he set the Class 4A bench press record with 470 pounds. At 5-7, 240 pounds, Thirkhill is square and low to the ground, wreaking havoc in the middle of the formation.
Coach Jeff Riordan says senior defensive end Dallas Gipson is sneakily the most physically impressive player along the front. The 6-0, 265-pound prospect has long arms, but still benched over 400 pounds and runs under a 5.0 40-yard dash.
On the opposite end, 2027 prospect Kae’den Franklin (6’1, 255) is the returning team leader with 14 tackles for loss. Franklin plays tight end and H-back on Tyler Chapel Hill’s 7-on-7 team, priding himself on his athleticism.
Coach Alan Metzel has nine guys he feels comfortable playing on the defensive line this year, a plus for a program that likes to have certain players alternate between the offensive and defensive lines.
Senior Tyler Hagler is the headliner of the group. The 6-0, 325-pound defensive tackle is a back-to-back Second Team Padilla Poll All-State selection who had 63 tackles, 10 TFLs and four sacks. He holds in-state offers from Texas Tech, Houston and UTSA, among others.
Next to Hagler, 2027 prospect Davion King (6-2, 275) has elite measurables and vast experience, starting since his freshman season. He was the one who forced the game-sealing fumble in overtime against Carthage two years ago. King has offers to North Texas, UTSA and UTEP.
On the edge, senior Jet Bates (6-2, 200) was a District 7-4A DI First Team selection with 62 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. Bates has long arms, which makes it hard for offensive tackles to get into his body. He is a gap-sound player who also makes plays down the field.
Look for 2026 prospect Trey Lee and 2027 player Mac Granville to see extensive action on the defensive line. Lee will play inside until King fully returns from his surgery, then will kick outside.
Rashaad Buchanan (6-2, 280) and Ismael Camara (6-6, 330) will primarily play offense but will wreak havoc in select spots on defense.
DT Tahj Bush, DT/OL Chance Walker, DE Korbyn Jones and DE Jaden Holladay provide excellent depth.
Pilot Point won’t have the biggest line, but coach Chad Worrell says his guys play with relentless effort. All defensive linemen will play on the offensive side of the ball, and then rotate during defensive possessions to stay fresh.
Of the guys going both ways, senior Caden David (5-10, 200) plays more snaps than anyone on the team. He earned District 3-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year at defensive end with his aggressive play style.
On the inside, junior Daniel Medrano (5-9, 200) plays with more strength than his body weight would suggest and has quick feet. Junior Caden LeMaye (6-2, 230) was a dedicated defensive tackle last season who should play more snaps at tight end, but look for LeMaye to make a bigger impact on defense now that he’s comfortable with the position.
It won’t feel like a holiday for whichever quarterback faces Holliday’s defensive line.
Coach Kyle Atwood calls senior Kreede Neal (6-3, 245) the team’s best overall player, evidenced by First Team All-District 6-3A DII honors at both offensive and defensive line. Neal slides from defensive end to defensive tackle in 2025.
Next to Neal, senior Heston Davis (5-9, 225) also makes his debut on the interior defensive line. A longtime running back and Mike linebacker, Davis has the athleticism to give interior offensive linemen fits. He should rotate with junior Cobi Joe Davis, who earned increasing playing time late into his sophomore season the more coaches noticed his technically sound tape.
Atwood is turning to two former wide receivers as his next edge rushers in Hudson Dray and Preston Fandler. Both stand at 6-2 to 6-3 with long wingspans and could wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
Edna may have a new head coach in Jamie Dixon, but the Cowboys have run the same 4-2-5 scheme for six years.
Senior defensive end Hunter Buehring (6-4, 225) earned District 15-3A DI Defensive Player of the Year. Buehring is one of the most versatile athletes on the team, evidenced by his First Team All-State nod at edge and Second Team All-State designation at tight end. Defensive coordinator Matt Trujillo describes him as a smart player whom the staff can overload with assignments, which include rushing the quarterback, setting the edge, dropping back in coverage and even spying the QB.
At the other edge, senior Kenyon Turner (6-1, 195) was banged up last year but has plenty of experience. He is an explosive player and pass rusher. Junior Maurice Tilmon is the only returning defensive tackle. He can slip around interior linemen and chase down running backs.
Llano’s calling card in recent years has been an undersized defensive line that makes up for it by playing hard. But coach Matt Green says the Yellowjackets should play big this year.
Junior edge rusher Cole Kennedy (6-3, 230) is football-savvy and a hard worker. In other words, you can tell he’s the son of Llano’s defensive line coach. Kennedy earned District 13-3A DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore and started 14 games. Green says his strength gains this offseason in the weight room have been silly. He’s the unit’s leader.
At the other end spot, look for senior Konrad Zwicke to rotate with other defensive ends like Logan Robinson (6-1, 235) and Nick Light, whom the coaches are thrilled about after moving up from JV late in the year. Zwicke (6-3, 245) is a dominant H-back on offense with offers to Angelo State and UT-Permian Basin.
At nose guard, Mario Hernandez was a sophomore backup last season who is a fire plug in the middle. He forms a dynamic duo with Scott Henderson (6-2, 270), who was a dominant JV defensive lineman as a sophomore.
Llano’s depth on the defensive line prevents any player from getting too comfortable. They know they have to show up every day to earn playing time.
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