Ranking the Five Best Defensive Lines in Classes 4A, 3A, and 2A

4A

5. Lubbock Liberty

Lubbock Liberty was one of the most improved teams in the state in 2025, going from 2-8 as a first-year varsity program to 10-2 district champions. Coach Joe Sexton believes a defense that improved by 25 points per game can make another leap with nine returning starters.

The Patriots will have two First Team All-District defensive ends on the front lines: senior Isaac Rodriguez (6-foot-2, 225) and junior Rylan Thomas (5-foot-11, 220). Rodriguez is a two-time captain who had 60 tackles and five sacks last fall. The coaches describe him as the ultimate worker in every sport he plays, finishing third at state in wrestling and setting the school’s shot put record at 52’11”. Thomas flies under the radar on the recruiting trail, but he makes every bit as big of an impact on the field with 50 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. 

“You talk about explosive out of a stance – man, he is a monster,” defensive coordinator Duane Toliver said.

DT Braxton Bitar (6-foot, 295) is the anchor in the middle of the defensive front. Coaches say he is an absolute load and is starting to gain momentum on the recruiting trail. Carter Barnett (6-foot-1, 215) could be the breakout player of the group. After hamstring issues plagued him all of last season, Barnett has had an excellent offseason, even running hurdles for the track team.

4. Shepherd

Shepherd is one of the smallest Class 4A teams in the state, just 55 kids above the cut-off line. But for what the Pirates lack in numbers, they more than make up for it in size on the defensive line. 

Stanford commit Brayden White (6-foot-3, 280) is a prime example. White, a starter since his freshman year, was a First Team All-District tight end and Second Team All-District defensive tackle selection. Shepherd head coach Miles Robison has coached with White’s father, Shepherd’s strength and conditioning and offensive line coach, for years. Robison remembers Brayden as a little kid sitting at the computer during a coaches’ meeting watching Madden YouTube videos. Turns out, he was sharpening his football IQ the entire time. 

“He’s the best player on the field, offensively or defensively,” Robison said. “He’s just that valuable. We take a huge step back anytime he has to come off the field.”

Edge rusher Michael Weekes (6-foot-1, 260) was a TSWA Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-District selection last fall. Like White, he got his first taste of varsity action as a freshman. That year, he started at defensive tackle in a playoff game as four-seed Shepherd knocked off district champion Kirbyville in an upset. That was only the first glimpse of what was to come. 

“He’s very explosive, especially down the line of scrimmage,” Robison said. “He’s got a big motor. You’ll see him on film a lot of times where he’ll redirect and end up catching a running back down the field.”

The coaching staff believes Julian Wilson will be a big-time contributor from the interior this fall. Wilson moved in last year and played JV. He’s had an excellent offseason and will command double-teams that free up White and Weekes for one-on-one battles. 

Luis Najera (6-foot-4, 280) was a First Team All-District offensive lineman, but Robison says he’ll also play a lot of defense this year. Look for Liam Robbins and Logan Lacey (5-foot-10, 230) to make an impact as well. Lacey is a powerlifter, while Robbins wins with his effort and football IQ. To paint a picture of his work ethic, he plays in the school band’s halftime show in his full football uniform.

3. Brock

It’s funny, because when Brock head coach Billy Mathis looks around the room at the grown-ass men along his defensive line, he still pictures them as the crazy middle schoolers in the stands cheering him on during his first year as the school’s head coach in 2021. 

“These seniors have grown up together and always been best buds,” Mathis said. “My first year, they were up there in the stands watching us play. I can remember we’re playing against Mount Vernon in the state semifinals. And those little dudes, there’s a whole 30-40 of them all with their shirts off waving them around like crazy.”

Brock always has an impressive senior class. The Eagles have soared to the state semifinals every year under Mathis’s watch. But Mathis says this group has the fewest cliques of any he’s coached. And the defensive line sets that tone.

Waylon Winfrey (6-foot-2, 285) is a prime example. Winfrey was a First Team All-District selection on the offensive line last year, but he’ll start at defensive tackle as well. He compiled 49 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks on defense. Mathis says that Winfrey gives the Eagles more beef in the middle of the defensive line than they’ve had in years past. But don’t mistake Winfrey for a tree stump in there. He has the athleticism and motor to rush the passer, play contain, and pull off twist stunts with the defensive end. 

“He’s a wrecking ball,” Mathis said. “What he does best is relentless effort. He’s full speed all the time, whether it’s the weight room or out here. But he’s not just a giant meathead, either. The dude is very smart. I think playing offensive line helps him at defensive line, because he understands when the center is blocking back on, and the guard pulls, the ball is going over there. He knows how to defend that type of stuff.” 

Mathis describes Second Team All-District selections Karsen Sullivan (6-foot, 215) and RJ Cannon (6-foot-2, 220) as spitting images of each other. Sullivan is the prototypical worker whom Mathis says has improved the most since middle school through sheer effort. He had 83 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and five sacks last season. Mathis describes Cannon as the toughest guy on the team.

“We have a lot of tough guys,” Mathis said. “But RJ is one of those ones that if you had to go get into a street fight, he was one of my first round picks I’m bringing with me.”

Look for Braxton Roberts (6-foot, 225) to make a push for playing time at defensive end. Roberts was a backup outside linebacker last fall, but Mathis says he’s too talented not to start. Jonathan Dabbs will be the other defensive tackle with Winfrey. Brody Riker (6-foot-2, 215) will start on the offensive line, but he’ll also play defense when called upon.

2. Pleasant Grove

Pleasant Grove might be one of the most fun programs to play ‘Remember this guy?’ with over the last decade. Remember how awesome these defensive linemen and edge rushers were? The Jackson brothers, current Buffalo Bills defensive end Landon and current Texas Longhorn Lance. Or San Francisco 49ers linebacker Nick Martin. The list goes on and on, including UTSA defensive linemen Vic Shaw and defensive tackle BJ Rochelle. 

But the Hawks don’t just have high-level DI athletes. Those athletes are extremely well coached by edge coach Preston Henry and tackles coach David Kennedy. And, they’re put in a scheme that prioritizes stunts and twists to set up one-on-one matchups. It’s no wonder the Hawks have soared to at least the third round of the playoffs in each of the last ten seasons. 

Pleasant Grove may be under new leadership – longtime defensive coordinator Jonathan Darby takes over for Josh Gibson, who remade Pleasant Grove into a state power over his 12 years at the helm. But the defensive line will be just as intimidating with edge rushers Ke’Drid Smith (6-foot-4, 225) and Kai Ringwood (6-foot-4, 225). 

“I don’t know statewide, at any classification, how many guys have two ends that look like ours do,” Darby said. “Anytime you look down at the position group right now, and you see two 6-foot-2-plus long-armed, long-legged kids, it’s pretty exciting because you’re like, ‘Ok, we could do some stuff at that position.’”

Smith was named Class 4A Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in this summer’s Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, an incredibly rare honor for an incoming junior. The DCTX four-star was the District Defensive Lineman of the Year as a sophomore. Darby says Smith has taken the awards as a challenge to live up to the hype. He’s hung on the Pleasant Grove coaching staff’s every word this offseason.

“He’s a kid that’s going to perfect his craft,” Darby said. “He’s always looking for that next thing, maybe a better first step or get better at this pass rush movement or get better at this punch. Going into his junior season, he’s become even more of a technician.”

Look for Smith to take on a more versatile role in Pleasant Grove’s defense, similar to what Jaylon Foster did last year. Smith has the athleticism to move to linebacker and rush from the second level or even cover a running back out of the backfield. Ringwood, meanwhile, will be a true defensive end. He had nine tackles for loss last year despite playing behind Foster, who earned District Defensive MVP. 

Jamie King (5-foot-10, 280) is the leader on the interior of Pleasant Grove’s defensive line. He earned Second Team All-District honors last year, playing far more snaps than most interior tackles do because the Hawks lacked depth. Darby says King is extremely strong in the weight room but is also moving much better after an impressive offseason.

“He could be one of the next names for us inside that is really able to take over some games,” Darby said.

Pleasant Grove should have much more depth outside of King this year. Senior nose guard De’Andre Doles is a plugger, while rising junior Tremayne Blair has a strong shot at making an impact. Chance Robinson will be a key rotational piece.

1. West Orange-Stark

Last year, West Orange-Stark won its first district championship since 2021 and reached the first state championship game since 2021. The Mustangs could race back to AT&T with three three-year starters returning on the defensive line, along with First Team All-State linebacker Anterrion Fontenot.

Defensive tackles Channing Larkin Jr (6-foot, 255) and Alexander Thomas (6-foot, 210) are both Padilla Poll First Team All-State selections. Larkin is a true nose guard who can strong-arm a lineman off the ball while quickly diagnosing the play. He had 103 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and two blocked field goals. Coach Hiawatha Hickman describes Thomas as a running back in a lineman’s body. After playing H-back his entire life, he racked up 48 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks, and two defensive touchdowns in his first year as a starter. 

J’Terrion Levi might be undersized compared to most edge rushers at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, but his high motor and bevy of pass-rushing skills more than make up for it. Hickman describes him as a pass rush specialist who has every tool in the tool belt: swim moves, bull rushes, and more. He had 59 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries.  

3A

5. Goliad

I know what you’re thinking – how is Goliad on this list after graduating UTEP signee D’Adrian Tinney-Anderson? But the Tigers return the bulk of a stout defensive line from a 10-3 team. Coach Kevin Salazar says that while some 3A teams see playing linemen both ways as a disadvantage, he believes it makes them more dangerous.

“The great thing about them is they’re all very aggressive, but they’re very smart football players at reading and reacting,” Salazar said. “They all play offensive line, too. So they know what causes problems for offensive fronts.” 

DT/OL Keantrey Garner (6-foot-1, 300) will anchor both sides of the line of scrimmage after earning First Team All-District at offensive tackle and defensive tackle. Garner’s size sticks out, but Salazar says it’s the little things he does better than anyone else that make him a great football player.

“There are little techniques he does that show how smart he is as a football player,” Salazar said. “He just gets himself in really good positions to attack the offensive line. He’s really hard to handle if you’re going to block him with one person. He’s a physical kid, so a lot of times, he demands double teams, which opens up stuff for our other guys.”

DE Jeremy Jacob (6-foot, 205) was a fellow First Team All-District performer. Salazar said Jacob has shown some of the most steady improvement over the last calendar year of anyone on the team. 

“He’s very long and rangy,” Salazar said. “He’s got great arm length and covers a lot of space. He’s gotten a lot more physical. His confidence grew week in and week out. It’s transferred on with him to the spring and summer. He looks good right now; I think he’ll be an all-district player again.”

Fellow DE Jayden Valdez (5-foot-11, 220) was a First Team All-District offensive guard and Second Team All-District edge rusher who led Goliad with two sacks. Salazar said Valdez is one of the team’s most versatile defenders, just as effective in the box as he is rushing the passer. 

“He’s very strong in the weight room,” Salazar said. “That transfers over to the football field so he can handle those tackles and play against that size down low in the box. But at the same time, he’s fast enough and athletic enough to chase quarterbacks.”

Look for Landry Kuykendall and Connor Castillo to be a dynamic duo on the interior defensive line. Kuykendall was more of a gap-plugger last year playing at 6-foot-3, 370 pounds. But Salazar says Kuykendall has dropped to 320 this offseason, and could have an even bigger impact at a smaller weight.

“His massive size is going to be a big thing for us up front, eating up gaps,” Salazar said. “But I think you’re going to see him be more explosive up front this year, being able to get flat down the line and trail plays and make tackles. He’s had a tremendous offseason.”

Castillo (6-foot, 195) doesn’t have the same size as guys like Kuykendall, but his swagger powered him to a Second Team All-District season.

“He’s just kind of mean, which is great. He’s a good-looking kid, well put-together, but just undersized compared to everybody else. But he plays big. He’s very physical and aggressive. He’s got a motor on him that helps him down in the trenches.”

4. Edgewood

Edgewood (10-3) returns its entire starting defensive line from the final two playoff games. Coach Kevin Bachtel says they’ve all gotten a year older and a whole hell of a lot stronger.

Case in point: First Team All-District defensive end Lawson Goode remade his body this offseason from 5-foot-10, 185 pounds to 210. Goode, the son of Edgewood’s offensive line coach, is a technician whose work ethic is contagious throughout the team.

“He’s a perfectionist,” Bachtel said. “He expects and demands the most from himself. If he takes a wrong step, it irritates him. Since he’s a coach’s kid, he can fix himself.”

At the opposite edge, Noah Sustaita (6-foot, 225) was a fellow First Team All-District performer. Sustaita hasn’t gained any weight this offseason, but Bachtel said he is a more muscled-up 225-pounder than he was last season. Sustaita operates like an agent of chaos, creating havoc wherever he lines up.

“We moved Noah inside for a game, and he was dominant in there as well,” Bachtel said. “And he didn’t even know what to do. We said, ‘This is where you line up, and just go play.’ His biggest attribute is his motor.”

Camron Love was the District Offensive Lineman of the Year, but Bachtel says he’ll play an even bigger role on the interior defensive line. Bachtel, a former head coach at Howard Payne, says Love is a surefire DIII college football player at the bare minimum. He’s had a fantastic offseason, adding strength that makes him a dominant mismatch. Mason Riddle (6-foot-2, 220) was an Honorable Mention All-District selection at defensive end last fall but could move to tackle to help replace Caden Morris (5-foot-10, 200), another All-District pick who is set for a larger role on offense. 

Augustus Stewart earned Second Team All-District at defensive end last season, but Bachtel plans to move him back to outside linebacker, where he began the 2025 season. Stewart played exceptionally, filling a team need at the edge as a junior.

Eli “Bean" Haynes and Triston Linzy are names to know on the defensive line. Haynes missed some time last season with an injury, but showed how versatile he can be this offseason. Bachtel says he’s a player. Linzy is pound-for-pound the strongest and most explosive kid on Edgewood’s roster. He will start on the offensive line but could be a force at defensive tackle as well.

3. Tidehaven

Tidehaven said goodbye this offseason to a historic senior class that compiled a 50-8 record over four seasons. But the cupboard is far from bare in Tiger Land. Just look at their defensive line.

DE Alex Torres (6-foot, 220) was the District Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore with eight sacks, and he’s only gotten bigger, faster, and stronger this offseason. His brother, DT Jayden Torres (6-foot, 235), is only slightly bigger than Alex, but he’s more than strong enough to play on the interior of the line of scrimmage. 

Last year, Alex paired at defensive end with Hayden McCarver, a unanimous First Team All-District selection. But after a tremendous offseason in which he remade his body, McCarver is now moving to strong safety. The coaching staff feels confident in moving McCarver because of Zane Lawhon’s emergence at defensive end. 

One thing that’s not changing up front, much to the chagrin of opposing offensive lines: DT Evan Saavedra. The 315-pound nose guard is a man among boys, squatting 700 pounds. He uses that strength to blow up plays before they have a chance to develop. He single-handedly took over last year’s 31-3 playoff win over Blanco.

2. Canadian

In a testament to this Panhandle powerhouse, Canadian’s 11–2 record last season – a historic year for 99% of Texas high school football programs – was just the second time since 2013 the Wildcats didn’t advance past the third round. With this defensive line, Canadian is a heavy favorite to play December football again. 

DE/TE Gunner Brady (6-foot-4, 215) was the District Defensive Newcomer of the Year and started on both sides of the ball as a freshman. He posted 87 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and a forced fumble.

OL/DE Eduardo Jacquez (6-foot, 200) was a First Team All-District defensive tackle. Canadian coach Andy Cavalier calls Jacquez the most dominant lineman in the district. No one’s arguing with him after Jacquez racked up 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and two pass breakups.

OL/DL Aidan Gerhardt (6-foot-1, 185) was Canadian’s third First Team All-District selection on the defensive line. Cavalier describes him as a relentless player with a high motor who makes plays all over the field.

1. Newton

Newton is the Class 3A DII Preseason State Champion pick in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine. And while 2,400-yard rusher Kendray Porter Jr grabs most of the headlines, the Eagles’ defensive line was a big factor in Newton’s projection.

Head coach Drew Johnston has called Newton’s ‘7 Diamond’ defense since 2014. He says DE Kaleb Burnham (6-foot-2, 225) has a motor that you can’t coach, which powered him to win District Defensive Lineman of the Year with 80 tackles and 11 sacks. Sometimes, Johnston even has to prevent Burnham from trying to work out twice a day.  

“This is going into my 15th year, and he’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” Johnston said. “He is obsessed with being a great player. He wants to play at the next level and has put on another 15 pounds this offseason. He does extra every day.”

Fellow edge rusher Justin Bray (6-foot, 225) was an All-State selection. Johnston says Bray has a nose for the football, which helped him sniff out a team-leading 15 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. With Bray and Burnham rushing the passer, Johnston believes his team will be able to get pressure with a four-down front and use more linebackers in coverage to help a young secondary.

Newton’s defense is centered around Ivan Gatson (5-foot-9, 205), who rotates from nose guard to Will LB. He wrecked shop at either spot, leading the Eagles with 120 tackles and also adding nine sacks. 

DL Darius Chargois (5-foot-10, 190) is just as dominant as Gatson on the interior line of scrimmage. Johnston says he lives in the opponent’s backfield, racking up 80 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. 

“He is a player,” Johnston said. “He’s a little bit undersized. But if you’re an offensive guard, you’re fixing to have a long night. He’s another guy with a high motor, and he never stops.” 

Look for Raylen Elam to make an impact at multiple positions this year, whether it be on the defensive line, at linebacker, or even tight end.

2A

5. San Augustine

San Augustine was one of the breakout teams of 2025, reeling off a 10-4 season for its first winning record in five years. The Wolves’ defense could have even more bite this fall with eight returning starters – and a couple of high-profile move-ins.

OL/DT Jamarios Canton (6-foot-5, 305), most recently at IMG Academy, has moved to San Augustine, and Coach Tory Barnes projects him to start on both sides of the ball. A four-star lineman, Canton has racked up 26 offers to SEC and Big Ten schools as an offensive tackle. But Barnes said Canton moves like a skill position player.

“Honestly, he’s gotten recruited as an offensive tackle, but he’s good enough to play at any of the Power Four schools at D-tackle as well.”

Canton is not the only big-time addition to San Augustine’s roster. FB/NG Kellyn Husband (5-foot-11, 240) moves over with his father, an assistant coach, from Shepherd. Husband is a reigning powerlifting state champion with a 725-pound squat, 510-pound bench, and 550-pound deadlift. He has offers to McPherson, Howard Payne, and East Central.

Josh Amburn (6-foot-1, 210) and JaDavian Garner (6-foot-1, 200) headline a deep edge rushers group. Amburn was a First Team All-District offensive lineman, while Garner earned Second Team All-District honors last season as a sophomore. Barnes says he has six players that the coaching staff is more than comfortable with playing on the defensive line.

4. Axtell

After 12-2 and 11-2 showings the past two seasons, Axtell head coach Craig Horn believes his Longhorns are beginning to develop a brand as a small and scrappy bunch.

“Our D-Line is pretty good,” Horn said. “You’d be shocked if you saw them. I’m bigger than they are, and I’m not a very big guy. But they play hard. They play fast.”

Hayden Cunningham (5-foot-11, 185) and Jimmy Lawson (5-foot-9, 180) are two of the team leaders from the interior defensive line. They might not be bigger than the guy lined up across from them, but they want it more than the other guy does. 

“When that ball flinches, when it barely moves, they’re playing at full speed,” Horn said. “They’re not trying to feel you up. They’re not trying to read anything. They are going 100 miles per hour. They’re willing to hurt for you.” 

Cunningham was the District Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 with 75 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Horn describes him as a Tasmanian Devil-type destructor in the backfield. Often, he arrives at the quarterback at the same time as the snap despite being double- and triple-teamed.

“We don’t ask him to be good,” Horn said. “We don’t ask him to be great. We ask him to be spectacular, and he typically is.”

Lawson plays with similar fire, earning First Team All-District accolades. He normally lines up on the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle, but he does have the versatility to play a true edge spot.

Noah Reyes has also started for multiple years on Axtell’s front. One of the most versatile athletes on the team, Reyes will get looks at linebacker this fall in addition to his duties on the offensive line.

3. Bremond

Bremond has more depth on the defensive line than most Class 2A programs because head coach Jeff Kasowski prioritizes putting offensive skill-position players on the front seven of the defense. Just look at RB/DE Tyriq Scott and RB/DE Rashaud McGee.

Scott is a physical specimen at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds with a 4.6 40-yard dash. He was a First Team All-District defensive lineman last season with 78 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. This year, he’ll cross-train as an edge rusher and inside linebacker. When Tyriq goes to linebacker, look for his brother, Jeremiah Scott, to fill in at edge rusher.

McGee (6-foot-1, 200) was pulled up to the varsity two games into his freshman season and rose to the occasion. He tallied 63 tackles, showcasing a physicality beyond his years.

James Duncan (6-foot-4, 280) is a four-year starter on both sides of the ball who earned Second Team All-District as a junior with 54 tackles. Carson Tullous will be the other interior lineman. Kasowski says both players are extremely smart and can move well at their size. Jack Nickels (5-foot-11, 300) was a Second Team All-District defensive tackle last year and will see defensive snaps, but his main role will be as a third-year starter on the offensive line. Wes Bodiford, described as intelligent and tough, is also a key to the rotation.

2. Overton

Overton head coach Scotty Laymance has quietly pulled off one of the most underrated rebuilds in the state. Laymance inherited a program in 2023 that had won three games in the previous four seasons combined. His Mustangs have gone 10-2, 10-3, and 8-5 in his first three seasons. The good news for Overton in 2026 – the Mustangs return the bulk of a defensive line that was instrumental in those playoff runs. 

Gunner Whitefield (6-foot, 225) was a Preseason All-State selection in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine after racking up 91 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. The three-year starter is physically blessed, but Laymance says his motor outweighs all his other tools. 

“He comes to school to play football,” Laymance jokes.

Eathen Oates (6-foot-3, 307) was the District Utility Player of the Year last fall. A four-year starter on the defensive line and a three-year starter on offense, Oates has an extremely high football IQ after compiling 36 varsity starts. He’s also a physical mismatch in the interior of the defensive line.

“He’s going to demand a double-team, and you’re not going to have a lot of success moving him then,” Laymance said.

Elijah Dorsey (5-foot-10, 285), a Second Team All-District selection last year, will rotate in and out on defense with Oates while both start on the offensive line.

“He probably has the biggest punch,” Laymance said. “When he gets his hands on you, he snaps your head back, and you know it. He’s very heavy-handed.”

Colton Stinecipatr (5-foot-7, 185) has played running back his entire life, but Laymance expects him to be a fireplug wreaking havoc after a move to the defensive line.

1. Hawley

State championship head coach Mitch Ables is switching up Hawley’s defensive philosophy this season. You don’t maintain the sustained success Ables has (126-31 record over 12 years) without adapting every year. 

“We just want to be aggressive,” Ables said. “We want to take it to who we’re playing. We want to take the run away and make them try to throw over the top of us.”

Ables’s son, Tarleton commit Camden Ables, will be the tip of the spear. Ables was a First Team All-District selection at both tight end and defensive end last fall. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound prospect is a matchup nightmare on either offense or defense, catching 45 passes for 792 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Ables can play outside linebacker or straight-up defensive end. Even if he can’t get to the quarterback, his height poses a problem for the quarterback’s passing lanes.

DTs Grayson McElroy (6-foot, 221) and Bo White (6-foot-1, 273) were both First Team All-District selections on the interior of the defensive line. McElroy’s experience on the offensive line gives him an advantage in Football IQ, while White has already played a lot of snaps despite just entering his junior year.

OL/DL Ja’Kobe Robertson (6-foot-1, 253) is a rising sophomore making waves within Hawley’s athletic program. He started on the offensive line as a freshman, then followed it up with a superb baseball season and football offseason. Cody Waldon (6-foot-3, 297) is the biggest kid Hawley has, and could make an even bigger impact.

Look for Hunter Gomez (6-foot-1, 215) and Garrett Gouge (5-foot-10, 234) to be contributors on the front seven as well.