Ranking the Five Best Defensive Lines in Class 6A and 5A

6A

5. Cypress Falls

Cy Falls (9-4) made their deepest playoff run since 2015 last season, and head coach Chris Brister believes his Golden Eagles can soar even higher with dynamic edge rushers Kaden McCarty and James Harris Jr. back for their senior year.

McCarty (6-foot-2, 215), a Texas A&M commit and the No. 17 overall player in the DCTX Hot 100, was a First Team All-District selection last fall with 56 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. McCarty’s signature ghost move sends shivers down Houston-area offensive linemen’s spines. But McCarty’s off-field leadership is just as important as his on-field dominance. He was voted a team captain for the 2026 season.

Harris (6-foot-2, 200), a DCTX three-star with 26 scholarship offers, was also a First Team All-District selection with 68 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. Harris is a versatile defensive lineman who can dominate from the edge or in a three-point stance as a three-technique.

4. Dickinson

John Snelson runs an old-school program at Dickinson. In an age where coaches and parents want kids to specialize in one sport, he has all his football players compete in as many different sports as they can. Anything to help the Dickinson Gators win. 

That strategy has paid off on this year’s defensive line, where three of his best linemen are also basketball players. Snelson describes it as shades of 2021 when PJ Williams and Donovan Green were both varsity basketball players committed to Texas A&M for football. The Gators’ defensive line might not be super long, but their basketball background shows how athletic they are.

DL Chase Lewis (6-foot-2, 260), a four-year starter on both the football and basketball teams, is a prime example. Lewis earned District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and has only gotten better every year, earning Unanimous First Team All-District as a junior with 71 tackles and six sacks. The DCTX three-star will play a lot of tight end this year because of his soft hands and dominant run-blocking. 

DL/DE Braeylon Bradley was another First Team All-District performer with 37 tackles and four sacks. The 6-foot, 245-pound prospect grew up as a running back and will even take reps as the short-yardage running back in 2026. But Snelson says that offensive background gives him exceptional explosiveness on the defensive side. Dickinson may be the Gators, but Snelson has another aquatic animal to compare Bradley to. 

“He plays with total relentless effort,” Snelson said. “He’s going to come off that ball like a moccasin. When that thing twitches, he’s gonna play to the echo of that whistle. He plays really hard.”

Fellow edge rusher Zachary Glasson (6-foot-2, 200) is almost a carbon copy of Bradley. Both play with a relentless motor and physicality. Look for Glasson to take reps at weakside linebacker in 2026 and walk down to the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher.

Tylan Williams (6-foot, 255) is the third basketball player on Dickinson’s defensive line. The backup nose guard last year, Williams is agile, quick, and primed for a great senior year.
Chandler Bratton (5-foot-11, 215) was Dickinson’s sixth offensive lineman last year. He may be a tad undersized for the college game, but Snelson says he’s super quick and violent with his hands. He’ll play on both sides of the ball as a senior. 

3. Byron Nelson

Last year, Zach Woodward was named one of the Top 10 First-Year Head Coaches in the state by Dave Campbell’s. Woodward, a defensive coordinator in 2024, took over as interim coach in the wake of decorated head coach Travis Pride’s sudden passing, then led the Bobcats to a 10-3 record. 

But Woodward says he takes far too much credit, shining a light instead on defensive line coach Brian Brown. The pair have worked together at both Byron Nelson and Mansfield Summit. Over that time, Woodward has noticed Brown’s knack for turning young men into on-field monsters.

“I think he’s one of the more underrated aspects of our program, because our defensive line is always good,” Woodward said. “When you pair a coach who does a really good job with some guys that have some real natural ability, you end up with a front like we’re going to have this year.”

Byron Nelson’s base defensive front has three true defensive linemen, but Woodward says he has five guys who will play college football. 

DT George Toia (6-foot, 315) is the headliner. The UCLA commit is a Preseason First Team All-State selection in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine and the state’s No. 2-ranked defensive tackle in the Class of 2027. Woodward says there are times when Toia is so dominant that the coach catches himself watching his player like a fan. The best example was when Toia had three sacks in seven plays during the bi-district playoff round against Mansfield. 

“His first step is as fast as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Woodward said. “He gets off the ball so quickly. His hands are really powerful. In a different life, he’d have been a great heavyweight boxer.” 

DL/LB Fine Vailahi (6-foot-3, 240) already holds nearly 20 offers ahead of his junior season, and Woodward says he’s turning into even more of a beast this offseason in the weight room. Vailahi combines a violent edge with a high motor and exceptional athleticism.

DL Will Myers flies under the radar on the recruiting trail because of his 6-foot, 225-pound frame. But he earned Byron Nelson’s Defensive Lineman of the Year award last fall and is the only three-year starter of the group. Woodward says that Myers will be the guy most teams take their chances going one-on-one with, and Myers will make them pay for it.

“When you’re talking about the group of guys that he’s in, the fact that he’s gonna be the only three-year starter, the fact that he’s really the leader of the group speaks to what he is as a player,” Woodward said.

Junior edge rusher Givany Nkenyero could be the group’s breakout star. He grew two inches and gained 25 pounds this offseason, sprouting to 6-foot-3, 215. 

“In the spring, as college guys would come out to watch our practice, they were immediately like, ‘Wait, who’s that kid?’” Woodward said.

Fellow junior Jeremiah Garcia didn’t start his high school career on the defensive line, but found a natural home after developing into a big and powerful athlete. Garcia might not start in 2026, but he’ll play critical downs. Woodward believes he’ll become a high-level player.

2. Waxahachie

Lawrence Williams may have been promoted to Waxahachie’s head coach this offseason, but his defensive coordinator brain still lights up when he talks about his defensive line. 

DL/LB Carmelo Clawson is a three-year starter who earned First Team All-District accolades last season. The DCTX three-star has six offers. Clawson is a big prospect at  6-foot-2, 220 pounds, but the way he comes off the ball makes it so he plays much bigger than his listed size.

DL Sedrick Marsh Jr. (6-foot-5, 220) was another First Team All-District selection as a junior. The Kansas State commit is the No. 61 overall prospect in the DCTX Hot 100. Williams says Marsh is an exceptional high school player who could be even better in college as he continues learning the game. Marsh did not play much peewee football. 

“Sedrick was a late bloomer, but he still has a lot more in him,” Williams said. “He’s going to be exceptional at the next level. He’s still clay. He’s huge. He’s athletic. He’s coachable. He wants to be good.”

On the interior, tackle Aaron Snell (6-foot-2, 280) earned District Defensive Newcomer of the Year. The younger brother of Preseason Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year Jayquan Snell, Aaron strikes just as much fear in opponents’ hearts – as well as the hearts of his own team in practice. 

“He has one gear, and it’s straight ahead and get after your ass,” Williams said. “He’s one of the guys where in practice sometimes, I’m like, ‘Aaron, I know what you can do. Just calm down and let’s make sure everyone else knows what to do.’ He doesn’t know how to slow down. He practices how he plays.” 

Talyn Pierce, a two-year starter, rounds out the front lines. While the starters are immensely talented, Williams says that depth is the unit’s best feature. Ju’lee Gee, Dwayne Benjamin, Jaden Gray, and Javon Moore are all starting-caliber players, which gives the Waxahachie defense a luxury not many teams have.   

“Their backups, the four that are behind them, there’s absolutely no drop-off,” Williams said.

1. Denton Guyer

Reed Heim has been at Denton Guyer for six years. He says this defensive line group is the best he’s ever seen at the school. And it might be the best he ever coaches.

“Hopefully it’s every year, but I don’t know if I’ll coach a group like this ever again,” Heim said.

The Wildcats have three Power Four commits, and a fourth lineman with over 20 offers.

Edge/TE Zane Rowe, an Oregon commit, is the reigning District Overall MVP and a preseason All-State selection in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine. Rowe (6-foot-4, 265) has elite length and broke up 14 passes at the line of scrimmage. Heim says he’s also a heady football player because of his tight end experience. The combination of an elite frame and high football IQ resulted in 72 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2025. 

DT Khyren Haywood was the District’s Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, posting 66 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. Haywood is by no means a sleeper recruit. He’s the No. 47-overall player in the DCTX Hot 100. But Heim says more coaches hesitated on offering Haywood than should’ve been the case because of his 6-foot-2, 260-pound frame. Haywood found a home with Texas Tech, and Heim believes the Red Raiders got a steal. 

“I give credit to Texas Tech,” Heim said. “They were like, ‘Look, we have to go out and get the very best football players we can get.’ I have never had more Power Four coaches tell me, ‘Man, that kid is a great player.’”

Nose tackle Darrien Neal is the third player from Denton Guyer’s defensive line in the DCTX Hot 100 for the Class of 2027 (No. 95). Neal, a TCU commit, was a First Team All-District performer with 57 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Heim says Neal’s basketball background gives him freakish athleticism at his size (6-foot-3, 285).

“You rarely find somebody as strong and big as he is to also be that twitchy,” Heim said. “He’s going to start the season at about 285 for us. But, in college, he’s going to play between 305 and 315 and be crazy athletic at that size.” 

Edge rusher Logan Lokey was the District Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, posting 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two sacks. Lokey has a great frame (6-foot-3, 250) and a Division I pedigree (his father, Derek, was a defensive lineman at Texas). But Heim says Lokey’s best attribute is a thirst for knowledge. Last year, Lokey sat in Heim’s office for 30 minutes every week and took notes on what to anticipate from the defensive line spot. 

“He might be the most passionate about learning the game,” Heim said. “He stopped me yesterday and said, ‘Hey, Coach, can we start doing our private meetings again?’” 

One thing’s for sure: all four of these defensive linemen will be having very public meetings in other teams’ backfields next year.

5A

5. Medina Valley

Medina Valley drops to Class 5A DI after a 10-3, district championship season in Class 6A. Coach Andrew Britt is quick to point out there is no drop-off in the quality of play from 6A to 5A DI. Four teams in Medina Valley’s region are in the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine preseason top 25. But Britt has a little secret, too.

“It’s kind of funny because we’re pretty young,” Britt said. “A lot of the guys who’ll anchor the defensive line this year were sophomores last year. They got a lot of playing time. They’re coming back from playing 13 games in a 6A classification. Now, at the same time, I don’t want to take anything away from 5A DI, because there’s some good football, especially in our region.”

Rhys Wheeler won District Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore with 59 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Wheeler is a hulking 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect who’s still growing (his twin brothers are over 6-foot-5). Britt and his staff could not be higher on his upside, saying he will anchor the defensive line.

Fellow junior Michael Holland was injured most of last season but still got valuable playing time in the playoffs. Britt says the nose tackle has had an outstanding offseason and could be a household name like Wheeler come fall. 

“He is a big, big-time player,” Britt said. “He plays with amazing leverage, has great ball get-off. He is super smart with a long wingspan. He’s going to anchor the interior part of our line for us.”

Holland drawing double teams on the interior should free up Brayden Ruscoe (6-foot-4, 200) to rush the passer, especially on 3rd-and-long situations. Britt is also high on Bryson Zinsmeyer (6-foot, 205), saying Zinsmeyer has a motor that runs so hot Britt has to cool him down to protect him from himself. 

Medina Valley was the preseason pick to win District 14-5A thanks in large part to this defensive line – and the return of all three linebackers, headlined by preseason District Defensive MVP Tyler Crisp.

4. Cedar Hill

Even for a program as prestigious as Cedar Hill, three Power Four commits on one defensive line is an abnormality. But head coach Nick Ward says if it weren’t for the college shirts those kids wore – or the way they are built – you’d have no idea they were graduating in December to enroll in college.

“They’ve committed to their schools and have completed that recruitment process,” Ward said. “But you wouldn’t know that they’re committed. You’d think that all three of them are still trying to work for a P4 offer.”

Jalen Brewster (6-foot-4, 300), a Texas Tech commit, is the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine. The five-star and No. 2 overall player in the DCTX Hot 100 has been a household name since his freshman year. That season, in a second-round playoff game against North Forney, Brewster was inserted into the game at running back after Cedar Hill had secured the win with just over seven minutes left. Instead of simply running out the clock, Brewster ripped off a 30-yard run, jumping over a hapless defender like he was running the hurdles. The entire stadium – including Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian – let out an audible gasp.  

“Coach Sarkisian ran down our sidelines and up to me and said, ‘Coach, I just had to let you know, I’m offering him. I want him,’” Ward said. “I’m looking at him at first like, ‘Coach, we’re in the middle of the game. What are you doing?’” 

Cedar Hill would likely be on this list for Brewster alone. But the Longhorns also have two Kansas State commits at edge rusher in Jalen Price (6-foot-5, 255) and Jeron Allen II (6-foot-4, 245). 

Ward says he is harder on Price than Brewster or Allen because he grew up in the same neighborhood as Price’s dad. Therefore, he sees the edge rusher more as family than player. Price is the No. 10-ranked edge prospect in the DCTX Hot 100, using his AAU basketball background in his pass-rush arsenal. 

“When you see him, he’s so long that it looks like a basketball kid,” Ward said. “Then he does something, a spin move or something, and some people are looking at him like, ‘My goodness, this kid is that athletic?’”

Allen has only played football for three years, but he’s rapidly ascended into one of the best prospects in the DFW area. Allen’s mother is an educator, and he’s made her proud by scoring straight A’s in the classroom. Ward says that Allen is a quiet kid, but he’s beginning to emerge as a leader in the locker room. Last fall, a Cedar Hill wide receiver was going off in the halftime locker room against Lancaster. One of the Cedar Hill coaches tried to calm the kid down, but Ward put his hand on his shoulder to stop him, wanting one of his players to take care of the situation. Allen put his hands on his knees, rose from the locker, walked over with swinging arms, and said: “If I have to tell you to be quiet again, you and I are gonna have a major problem.” Ward started pumping his fist from out of sight. A leader had been born. 

Rising sophomore Christopher McCullough will take the fourth starting spot on the interior defensive line. McCullough may not be the biggest, standing just 5-foot-9. But he showed some of the biggest fight in spring football, beating out two rising juniors for the role.

3. Alamo Heights

It’s a changing of the guard for one of San Antonio’s most dominant programs. Ron Rittimann retired this offseason after leading the Mules to five district championships in six seasons. But fear not, Alamo Heights fans, this team could look remarkably similar for years to come. Rudy Nerio, promoted from run game coordinator, was an internal hire. And the Mules, as always, will dominate in the trenches. 

The advantage starts with defensive lineman Drake Carroll (6-foot-5, 230). The TCU commit was a preseason First Team All-State selection in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine after racking up 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. 

“He has such an attention to detail,” Nerio said. “He spends a lot of time working on his pass rush and the fundamentals of being a great defensive lineman. As a person, he’s so intrinsically motivated. He wants to be great and is willing to do everything he can.”

DL Gianni Tovar (5-foot-11, 265) was another First Team All-District selection with 49 tackles and a sack. Nerio says that the three-year starter has taken the next step and become a coach-on-the-field ahead of his senior year. 

“He’s the attitude up front,” Nerio said. “He’s become a vocal leader this spring and brings a lot of energy to practice. Really, he holds the standard at practice. When guys aren’t giving their best effort, he’s pushing the envelope and letting them know. He’s really becoming a second coach out there.”

DL John Arriaga (6-foot-2, 206) began his career as a linebacker, where his older brother, Patrick, played for Alamo Heights a couple of years ago. But Arriaga moved to defensive line last year and earned District Defensive Newcomer of the Year with 36 tackles and two tackles for loss. Nerio said Arriaga has an explosive first step, even running track as a defensive lineman for Alamo Heights. His twin brother, James, is making the same move to defensive line this year.

Nerio was the head coach of the JV team last fall, where he got a front-row seat to watch defensive linemen Alexander Shimmelfennig and Taesean Brown combine for 20 sacks. Nerio says both have had an excellent spring, putting on size and strength to become breakout stars in 2026.

2. Richland

Ged Kates has been Richland’s football coach since 2012. But this will be one of the few years when he considers himself as much a fan of his players, with a front-row seat, as he is their mentor. That’s because his son, Brett, is a senior quarterback. He’s watched the Class of 2027 grow up together, even coaching them in peewee football.

“You talk about homegrown, program kids who love Richland football,” Kates said. “These guys have been doing it since they were six years old. I’m fortunate enough to have known them and watched them be friends with my son, Brett. They come from unbelievable families. It’s no coincidence that they have high character because of their stock.”

Kates remembers in third grade when Quade Williams got the ‘Kid Most Likely to go to the NFL’ award. Now a 6-foot-2, 280-pound First Team All-District defensive tackle committed to Louisiana Tech, Williams has lived up to the hype. But Kates is even more impressed with the type of young man Williams has grown into. 

“I asked him to switch to an ineligible number and work on the offensive line in case we need him,” Kates said. “All he said was, ‘Yes, sir,’ and dove right in. When you have kids that are good players who also care about the team, you have a chance to have a good season.”

Gage Goodwin (6-foot-4, 235) rushes off the edge while Williams mans the interior. Goodwin was a Second Team All-District selection last fall and committed to Army this offseason.

“It takes a special kind of kid to commit to Army,” Kates said. “He’s one of those guys where you have to get him out of the weight room. He’s always driving and pushing. Gage is a full-tilt kind of guy, and I love that about him. And, at the same time, I have to make sure he’s taking care of himself, because he will drive to the end. Kind of like an Army Ranger.”

On the opposite edge, Geveariah Kneubhul is already a two-time All-District selection despite only entering his junior year. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound lineman had the physical maturity to start as a 14-year-old, but his mental maturity is even more vital. 

“It’s tough to pull and kick him – he’ll destroy pullers,” Kates said. “When it’s time for third and long or third and medium, he’s getting after the quarterback. He understands when it’s time to pass rush and when it’s time to play the run. He understands ball.”

Channing Garner (6-foot-2, 290) was the starting defensive tackle next to Williams last year, earning Honorable Mention All-District honors. Garner was following in the footsteps of his twin brothers, who played defensive line for Kates ten years ago. But this fall, Garner will start at left guard, where his college future is, while playing 15-20 snaps at defensive tackle.

Kates feels comfortable moving Garner to offense because of the emergence of Sean McCrumby, Brenten Bailey, and Nathaniel Humphrey. Kates says the trio has worked their butts off behind the scenes for multiple years and are now primed for a breakout senior season.

1. DeSoto

DeSoto has won three Class 6A DII State Championships in the last four years. And while a high-flying Eagles offense usually grabs the headlines, head coach Claude Mathis knows the secret sauce has always been on the offensive and defensive lines.

“I’ve always built things off our trenches,” Mathis said. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to stop the run, and you’ve got to be able to run the ball. We just keep building it, and it really has supported us over the past four years.” 

DeSoto has Texas Tech running back commit SaRod Baker. Checkmark on running the ball. And they’ll also be able to stop the run with this defensive line.

Fellow Texas Tech commit K’Adrian Redmond (6-foot-3, 270) was a First Team All-District defensive tackle. Redmond, however, can play either inside or on the edge. Wherever he’s lined up, he takes up two gaps and cannot be blocked one-on-one. Mathis says he sets the tone for the entire defensive line.

Redmond got a new running mate this offseason in Garland Lakeview Centennial move-in Khing Thibodeaux. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound lineman has 36 Division I offers. Mathis found out exactly why in offseason workouts, and hints he’ll unleash Thibodeaux on the district at different spots than he’s ever played before. 

“We were already good up front. He just made us even better,” Mathis said. “Khing Thibodeaux has a chance to do some really great things. He’s very athletic, very quick, very agile, and very fast.” 

Mathis describes senior defensive tackle Kylan Nobles as one of the unsung heroes of last year’s state championship team.

“Nobles did a great job for us last year at the defensive end spot and came on very strong,” Mathis said. “He was a young man that was a big part of us winning the state championship because he could play the run but also get pressure on the passer.” 

But Mathis says Aaden Minor (6-foot, 290) is the vocal leader of the defensive line. Minor plays a major role in the DeSoto defensive scheme, using quick and violent hands that demand a double team.

DeSoto defensive line coach Devonta Leary says rising junior Cameron Brown proved to be a stud pass rusher in spring football. Defensive end Kaden Dudley, a 6-foot-3 prospect, drew rave reviews this offseason and was dubbed the potential “future of DeSoto’s defensive line” by Coach Leary.