As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season, we're breaking down the top players by position. Throughout the preseason, we're ranking the top 10 Greater Akron quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players.
Today, we look at the top 10 defensive linemen, starting with Summit County sacks leader Noah Robinson of Tallmadge, who was second-team All-Ohio as a junior.
Noah Robinson
Tallmadge, defensive end (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), Class of 2025
The reigning Suburban League Defensive MVP was a menace in the backfield with 24 sacks. Of his 41 tackles, 37 were for loss. Robinson picked up an offer from Clarion on May 31 and was Division II first-team All-Ohio as a junior.
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Carson Noonan
Highland, defensive end (6-3, 265 pounds), Class of 2025
Noonan is a three-star recruit who is committed to Miami (Ohio). Last season he was Division II first-team All-Ohio on the offensive line. He logged 56 tackles, 14½ for loss, and 6½ sacks. He also has offers from Akron, Air Force, Army and Buffalo.
Ryan Zyweic
Highland, defensive tackle (6-2, 255 pounds), Class of 2025
Zyweic is a returning Division II third-team All-Ohioan who picked up an offer from Clarion on May 29. He finished last season with 83 tackles, including 13 for loss, and had seven sacks and a pass break up. He was the Suburban League’s lineman of the year.
Nick Stephenson
Mogadore, defensive line (6-4, 265 pounds), Class of 2025
It's hard to miss the Division VI second-team All-Ohio defender when he's on the field. The four-year starter, who also plays tight end, led the Wildcats in sacks and quarterback pressures (12 combined). He also scored four touchdowns on offense.
Nick Crawford
Hoban, defensive tackle (5-11, 260 pounds), Class of 2025
The versatile Crawford will open the season with the Knights as a three-year starter. He finished 2023 with 48 tackles, 21 for loss, and had 13½ sacks. Crawford forced four fumbles, made three fumble recoveries and registered two safeties.
Demetrice Coates
Buchtel, defensive end (6-2, 215 pounds), Class of 2025
Coates can put his hand in the ground as an edge rusher or stand up and become an outside linebacker. He was Division IV second-team All-Ohio last season after he logged 44 tackles, five sacks and caused a fumble. He also picked off two passes.
Dreylin Price
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, defensive tackle (6-3, 220), Class of 2025
The Division III second-team All-Northeast Inland district selection and first-team All-Principals Athletic Conference pick really came into his own last season. Price finished with 62 tackles, 10 for loss, six sacks and forced two fumbles.
Jordan Jackson
Nordonia, defensive line (6-3, 255 pounds), Class of 2025
The versatile senior can post up outside to rush the passer or push inside. Jackson recorded 20 tackles last season, three for loss, and added a sack. He’s made 68 career tackles, nine for loss, and has four sacks.
Braylin Parker
Hoban, defensive tackle (6-3, 300 pounds), Class of 2026
Parker could be the next big-name defensive lineman to come out of 1 Holy Cross Boulevard. The junior already has an offer from Kent State and camped at Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame.
Danton Adair
Norton, defensive tackle (6-0, 220 pounds), Class of 2025
Adair comes in as a force for the Panthers. He’s a three-year, two-way starter for Norton and had a junior season during which he made 25 tackles, five for loss, and logged two sacks for the Portage Trail Conference champions.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football 2024 | Top 10 Akron-area defensive linemen to watch
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