The high school football season is upon us again.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the best players in Ohio high school football.
We started with the quarterbacks and now move on to defense and look at the best defensive linemen in the state.
There are many outstanding football players in Ohio and these lists are not exhaustive. Tag us on X or Instagram at @SBLiveOH to discuss the other defensive linemen who deserve fans’ attention in 2024. You can also send player nominations to [email protected].
(Note: These lists were compiled before the first week of the season)
Brandon Caesar, Cleveland Heightssenior
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Caesar was selected to the state’s Division I first team last fall. Caesar has more than two dozen scholarship offers, including from Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Malachi Cumberland, Wilmingtonsenior
Cumberland, listed at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, was a member of the state’s Division III first team last fall and finished with 79 tackles, 12 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in the Hurricanes’ 8-3 victory.
Dior Garner, Canton McKinleysenior
A promising prospect, the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Garner received more than a dozen offers and chose Bowling Green. Garner, who allowed just one sack despite also playing on the offensive line, had 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks and three pass breakups on defense as the Bulldogs went 9-4 last fall.
Jalen Joyce, Groveport-Madisonsenior
Joyce, the OCC-Buckeye Division Player of the Year and third-team All-State selection in Division I last season, finished the season with 72 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Delan Massey Wright, Winton Woodssenior
Massey-Wright, 6’1″ and 275 pounds, was a Division II first-team selection last season and finished with 5.5 sacks and 29 tackles in the Warriors’ 8-4 record.
Jeremiah Nash, Trotwood-MadisonSecond year student
The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Nash is one of the top prospects in the class of 2027. He finished the season with 41 tackles and eight sacks and was an honorable mention Division III All-State selection last season. He has offers from Kent State, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Toledo.
Ty Neubert, Columbus St. Francis DeSalessenior
Neubert is 6’3″ and weighs 250 pounds. He is a three-star recruit who has committed to Ohio University. Neubert, who also starts on the offensive line, has started 36 consecutive games on defense and was an honorable mention All-State selection in Division II last season when he recorded 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Carson Noonan, Medina Highlandssenior
Noonan, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound player, was a first-team all-state offensive lineman at Division II but will play defensive lineman at the college level and has committed to Miami University. He recorded 56 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as the Hornets went 11-3 last fall.
Jaimion Olverson, Princetonsenior
Olverson is a three-star prospect who has nine scholarship offers, including Marshall and five Mid-American Conference programs. Olverson is 6-foot-4 and weighs 255 pounds. Last season, he had 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as the Vikings went 12-1.
Drayden Pavey, Taffetasenior
Pavey was selected to the All-State first team in Division IV and is a three-star recruit who has committed to Purdue. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Pavey recorded 53 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as the Senators finished 9-3.
Noah Robinson, Tallmadgesenior
Robinson was selected to the Division III first team all-state and unofficially led Ohio with 24 sacks. He also recorded 37 tackles for loss and 41 solo tackles. Robinson is 6’3″ and 215 pounds. Clarion has offered him a contract.
Michael Schaal, Uniontown Green, senior
Schaal was first in Division II last season when the Bulldogs went 10-4 and reached a regional final. Schaal is 6’1″, 250 pounds and also plays on the offensive line. Last fall, he averaged 58.5 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Daniel Stephens, OlentangyJunior
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Stephens, a nose guard and offensive lineman who helped Olentangy go 11-2 last fall, has been offered by Eastern Michigan and Toledo. Last season, Stephens recorded 58 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
Jayquan Stubbs, Cleveland Heightssenior
Stubbs, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound prospect with a promising prospect, chose Minnesota despite 15 offers. Last season, Stubbs helped the Tigers go 11-2 and reach the regional semifinals.
Gordy Sulphsted, Saint Xaviersenior
Sulfsted, 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, has more than two dozen offers and is committed to Notre Dame as a three-star prospect. Sulfsted, the son of former NFL offensive lineman Alex Sulfsted, was third-team all-state in Division I and finished last fall with 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks as the Bombers went 7-5.
Cal Thrush, Upper Arlingtonsenior
Considered a three-star recruit, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Thrush has 18 scholarship offers and is committed to Michigan State. He was second-team All-District and honorable mention All-State last season as the Golden Bears went 10-4.
Trey Verdon, Hamiltonsenior
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Verdon, a three-star recruit, has 13 offers and is committed to Iowa State. Verdon was second-team All-State in Division I last season and finished the season with 77 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles.
Jamarcus Whyce, Trotwood-MadisonJunior
Whyce, who is 6’2″ and 260 pounds, is considered a promising young player and has 19 scholarship offers, including Michigan State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin. He helped the Rams to a 9-3 record last fall.
Michael Wright Jr., Massillonsenior
Wright was on the all-state first team in Division II last season when the Tigers won the state championship. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Wright finished with 36 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks on defense and ran for 338 yards and eight touchdowns on just 29 carries on offense.
Mazyn Zahursky, Berea Midparksenior
Zahursky, who is 6’4″ and 260 pounds, is a promising prospect with 13 scholarship offers and has committed to play for Bowling Green. He was selected third-team all-Division offensive lineman last fall when the Titans went 7-5, but he is projected as a defensive lineman at the college level.
Stick with SBLive Ohio all season long for all of our high school football coverage. You can check out our Ohio high school football scoreboards all season long.
