Cincinnati's finest defensive linemen in 2025

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Now that we're a few month away from the beginning of the highschool soccer season, Cincinnati groups are beginning summer season conditioning. In just a few weeks, Aug. 1 will mark the primary official day of observe and the common season will probably be right here earlier than we all know it.

As soon as once more, The Enquirer is previewing the Queen Metropolis's finest gamers by place group. Every week, one offensive place and one defensive place will probably be highlighted.

Let's begin within the trenches! Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Dave Lapham will let you know that is the place the sport is received and misplaced. Listed below are the highest run-stoppers and go rushers in Higher Cincinnati. Scroll to the tip to vote on which of those defensive linemen is your favourite. Voting ends at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 17.

Extra: Which Higher Cincinnati excessive faculties have the very best soccer uniforms in 2025?

Juan Bates, Mason After recording 19 tackles as a sophomore, Bates was poised for an enormous junior 12 months. That by no means fairly materialized as he completed the season with simply eight tackles and a fumble restoration. On tape, Bates has proven a capability to disrupt the road of scrimmage, typically going up in opposition to a number of guards. He additionally shows a relentless pursuit of the ball-carrier, even so far as 15 yards previous the road of scrimmage. Bates has carried out properly at a number of group camps this summer season and has a DI provide from Yale.

Mike Department, Taylor Final fall was a momentous season for the Yellowjackets and for Department. He was the second-leading tackler, posting 79 tackles, 18 for loss, and 7 sacks as Taylor received a number of postseason video games for the primary time in class historical past. He confirmed up in essential moments, too, recording eight tackles and two sacks in a Week 10 win over Indian Hill that clinched a second-place end within the Cincinnati Hills League for the Yellowjackets. Department's lone Division I provide is from Miami (Ohio), however he's receiving curiosity from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

Bo Homosexual, Ryle The stat that everybody will bear in mind from Ryle's run to the Class 6A state championship recreation is that the Raiders induced eight straight operating clocks within the second half of the season. The opposite important stat is that they solely allowed 106 speeding yards per recreation. Whereas run-heavy groups might have inflated that quantity, it is a quantity the Raiders will certainly like to enhance upon.

As a junior, Homosexual logged 42 tackles, 15 for loss, and was second on the group with 9 sacks. He lately obtained first Division I provide from The Citadel.

Christian Harris, Moeller Whereas scoring averages could also be on the rise within the Higher Catholic League-South, Moeller nonetheless reigned supreme by permitting simply 12.8 factors and 93.7 speeding yards per recreation in league play. Harris was an enormous a part of these numbers. He had 45 tackles, 15.5 for loss, and his 8.5 sacks have been good for second within the GCL, solely behind Elder's Derek Uran. The Wake Forest commit pressured a fumble within the season opener and recovered a fumble within the Crusaders' state semifinal win over Centerville.

Antwoine Higgins, Anderson Higgins initially needed to be a quarterback when he entered highschool. Head coach Evan Dreyer transformed him to an edge rusher, which has paid dividends for the Raptors. He has positioned an emphasis on velocity and energy as his profession has progressed. That work ethic led to 55 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and two sacks as a sophomore. He additionally had an interception and 5 go deflections. With 31 DI presents, 247Sports charges him because the No. 4 prospect within the state within the Class of 2027.

Extra: Meet Anderson soccer's Ace Alston and Antwoine Higgins, with almost 70 faculty presents

Calvin Lorek, Loveland The Lorek household has had a pair of gifted massive males stroll the halls at Loveland. David, who simply graduated, is coming off a monitor and discipline season that noticed him take fourth place at state within the shot put. Calvin is dedicated to Northwest after logging 26 tackles and main the Tigers with three sacks in 2024. He had a number of tackles in each recreation he performed in as a junior.

Jaylen Mercer, Winton Woods Winton Woods has had one of the crucial constant defenses within the metropolis over the previous few years. And the factor in regards to the Warriors is, there's by no means only one defensive star. Nevertheless, Mercer will probably be a reputation to observe for the following two years. He made 17 tackles and had two sacks in simply 5 video games as a sophomore. He already boasts 27 DI presents.

Caillou Robinson, West Clermont West Clermont was one of many higher turnaround tales of the 2024 season. After going 4-7 in 2023, Ben Moorman led the group to a 7-4 report and the ninth seed within the DI, Area 4 playoffs. Robinson was essentially the most constant presence on protection. He was second on the group with 55 tackles and led the Wolves with 11.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He posted 2.5 sacks in back-to-back video games in opposition to Turpin and Walnut Hills. Robinson at the moment has presents from Japanese Michigan, Southern Illinois and Kent State.

Derrick Singletary, Middletown When Kali Jones was named the top coach at Middletown, he vowed to return this system to profitable methods. It received off to a great begin because the Middies began final season 4-0 earlier than falling within the first spherical of the playoffs to finish the season at 5-6. Singletary, an edge rusher dedicated to Rice, contributed to the turnaround with 53 tackles, 14 for loss, and 10.5 sacks. Search for him to wreak havoc on the remainder of the Higher Miami Convention this season. He was listed at 185 kilos on the 2024 roster, however 247Sports now has him at 220 kilos.

Logan White, Harrison This fall, Harrison has an opportunity to turn into the primary college to win three straight outright convention titles since Mt. Wholesome dominated the Southwest Ohio Convention from 2012 to 2015. White will play a big function for the Wildcats. He tied for fourth within the SWOC with 83 tackles in 2024, 70 of which have been solo efforts. After posting 4.5 sacks as a sophomore, he led the convention with 15.5 sacks final fall. He had 4 multi-sack video games final 12 months, together with 5 wrap-ups in a win over Mt. Wholesome.

Further defensive linemen to observe in Higher Cincinnati in 2025 Henry Alo, Simon Kenton; Cooper Benke, Highlands; Griffin Benke, Highlands; Cole Canter, CHCA; Josh Charron, McNicholas; Chase Crittenden, Wyoming; Carson Eshelman, Beechwood; Josh Fasbender, St. Xavier; Jaxson Frye, Indian Hill; Jonny Lind, Covington Catholic; Ty Martin, Clinton-Massie; Donald Robinson II, Mt. Wholesome; Will Robinson, Cincinnati Nation Day; Jack Simpson, Mariemont; Tyler Watkins, Clermont Northeastern; Mitchell Woolf, Covington Catholic

Vote: Who's the highest defensive lineman in Higher Cincinnati this fall? Readers can vote as soon as per hour per system. This ballot will shut at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.