With the start of football season around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the players who will be making the biggest impact in 2026.

For the first installment in an eight-part series that will cover all position groups, we’ll be taking a look at the area’s top defensive linemen, ranking our top 15 with a list of others to watch this fall.

As with any such list, these rankings are subjective. We hope you enjoy reading through them.

15. David Ceu, Sr., Forsan — While on the smallish side for a defensive end at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Ceu is a playmaker for the Buffaloes, using a relentless motor, above-average strength and strong technique to excel at — and behind — the line of scrimmage.

Last year, the first-team all-district pick tallied 93 tackles (52 solo) with seven tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in helping Forsan reach the playoffs for the fifth time in six years.

14. Gage Heinz, Sr., De Leon — This rock-solid interior lineman was good enough as a junior to earn Defensive Lineman of the Year honors out of his district.

Coming off that campaign, which saw him collect 84 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and 13 quarterback hurries, the 5-10, 215-pound standout will try to make an even bigger impact in his final high school season.

13. Kaylub Roberts, Sr., San Saba — Another lean D-end at 5-10 and 187 pounds, Roberts is versatile and athletic enough to contribute at a number of defensive positions for the Armadillos.

After amassing 61 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, four sacks, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery last season as a junior, this dynamic senior will be leaned on for leadership on and off the field this fall.

12. Kaden McFarden, Jr., Wall — One of just three defensive starters back for the defending state champion Hawks, McFarden will be one of the primary on-field leaders for Wall this season.

Coming off a breakout sophomore campaign in which he made 81 tackles (50 solo), 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, he’ll be looking to help WHS sustain the level of success it has enjoyed the last two seasons under coach Craig Slaughter.

11. Hayden Mendoza, Sr., Breckenridge — Continuing a trend of undersized D-linemen with outsized impacts, Mendoza is a rare 5-9, 185-pound nose guard/defensive tackle for the Buckaroos.

If there’s any question about his ability to impact games from the middle of the line, look no further than last year’s stats, when he charted 75 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight QB pressures and a fumble recovery on his way to earning first-team all-district recognition.

10. Thomason Burkett, Sr., Graham — A more prototypical defensive end at 6-3 and 225 pounds, Burkett will be a difference-maker this season for a young Steers defense.

One of three returning starters on that side of the ball, the first-team all-district pick amassed 54 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks last year despite fighting through a pair of injuries that cost him a combined six games.

9. Ryan Alqorum, Sr., Bangs — One of the area’s most dynamic athletes, the 6-3, 220-pound Alqorum brings 4.7 speed to his position at defensive end.

Coming off a junior season that saw him finish with 54 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, he’ll likely have quarterbacks scrambling for their lives in 2026.

8. Jackson Richmond, Sr., Stephenville — Overshadowed at times by last year’s linemates — defensive tackle Kolton Dearth and end CJ Spellmeier— Richmond was a force himself as a junior for the Yellow Jackets’ area-leading eighth state championship team.

After amassing 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, eight sacks, 10 QB hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pick-six and two punt blocks in 2025, he’ll be one of the leaders of a retooled defensive front this year.

7. Garrett Offutt, Sr., Cisco — This 5-11, 185-pound end made a huge impact as a junior, collecting 88 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and six forced fumbles for an outstanding Loboes defense.

After earning first-team all-district honors with those efforts, he’ll be looking to help Cisco build on last year’s regional finalist finish in his final high school go-round.

6. Karsen Sullivan, Sr., Brock — A massive weapon off the edge for the Eagles defense, Sullivan amassed 83 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks and a remarkable 51 hurries last year as a junior.

The 6-foot, 215-pound end will look to improve on those numbers this season as Brock tries to get past the state semifinals and back to AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

5. Cass Dutton, Sr., Mason — This 6-2, 245-pound edge rusher is a matchup nightmare for most opposing offensive lines.

Last year’s stats, which included 117 tackles, an eye-popping 29 tackles for loss and four sacks, serve as overwhelming proof of the challenge he poses to those he lines up against.

4. Kennon Lee, Sr., Hamilton — A key contributor to the first state championship in Hamilton program history, Lee finished his junior season with 88 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

A cornerstone of an elite defense that limited opponents to just under 11 points per game a year ago, this 5-9, 190-pound end will be looking to close out his high school career with another banner season in 2026.

3. Christian Gray, Jr., Brownwood — One of the area’s breakout stars in 2025, Gray tallied 63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a sophomore on his way to earning All-Big Country Preps and District 4-4A Division I Defensive Newcomer of the Year recognition.

Now a grizzled veteran as a junior, he’ll be out to maintain or improve upon those numbers while garnering additional attention from opposing offensive lines.

2. Will Treadway, Sr., Jacksboro — Built more like an end or middle linebacker at 6 feet and 220 pounds, Treadway brings elite athleticism to his spot at defensive tackle.

A tough guy to block for any interior lineman, the talented senior closed his junior year with 93 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, showing strong ability as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper.

1. Nasir Menefield, Sr., Brady — While many of the linemen on this list boast average or below-average size for their positions, Menefield is a veritable colossus in the middle of the Brady defensive line.

But if you think his 6-5, 365-pound frame is his only defining factor as a player, you’d be dead wrong. This game-wrecking nose tackle is also remarkably nimble for his size, allowing him to occupy (and often fight off) multiple blocks down after down.

Even if he doesn’t make the play himself — and with 72 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and two sacks last year, he makes plenty of plays — the reigning District 5-3A DII co-MVP will impact virtually snap with his presence.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Demaurcs Reid, Jr., Abilene High; Bryan Harrell, Sr., Cooper; Blake Frailing, Sr., Wylie; Nicholas Gjerpe, Sr., Wylie; Nolan Griswold, Sr., Stephenville; Adyn Tristan, Sr., Big Spring; Waylon Winfrey, Sr., Brock; Caleb Gibson, Jr., Graham; Jacob Dobles, Jr., Graham; David Silva, Sr., Mineral Wells; Kaden Zamora, Sr., Snyder; Sterling Wilson, Sr., Clyde; Grant Stacks, Sr., Early; Ty Holguin, Jr., Jim Ned; Bede Browning, Jr., Jim Ned; Dodge DeLaRosa, Sr., Sweetwater; Ke’ondre Williams, Jr., Sweetwater; Mason Steen, Jr., Wall; Aidyn Rodriguez, So., Coahoma; Jayden Balvantin, Jr., Dublin; Vanden Philips, Sr., Hamilton; Cayden Abrego, Sr., Tolar; Ethan Tidwell, Sr., San Saba; Alijah Lozano, Sr., Anson; Josh Martinez, Sr., Ballinger; Heath Laughlin, Jr., Bangs; Easton Meador, Sr., Coleman; Eli Garza, Sr., De Leon; Matthew Blakeney, Sr., Forsan; Bo White, Jr., Hawley; Hunter Gomez, Jr., Hawley; Rafael Lentine, Sr., Hico; Gage Brumbalow, Sr., Hico; Derric Burch, Sr., Mason; Danny English, Sr., San Saba; Zane Green, Sr., Albany; Kameryn Rawls, Fr., Big Spring Pathway; Jessey Bradford, Sr., Cross Plains; Rylen Reed, Jr., Cross Plains; Jed White, Jr., Hamlin; Jaxon Hohensee, Sr., Miles; Juan Olvera, Jr., Santo; Porter Winbourn, Sr., Santo; Jarren Wright, Sr., Seymour; Taeshawn Spotwood, Jr., Seymour; Kree McCright, Sr., Stamford; Braden Hoppe, Jr., Winters; Andrew Rico, Sr., Bronte; Kayden Psencik, Sr., May; Klay McMillan, Sr., Loraine: Chico Hughes, Sr., Strawn

BIG COUNTRY PREPS POSITION RANKINGS

Saturday — Defensive linemen

Sunday — Linebackers

Monday — Defensive backs

Monday — Kickers/Punters

Tuesday — Offensive linemen

Wednesday — Wide receivers/tight ends

Wednesday — Running backs

Thursday — Quarterbacks