Here are southwest Missouri's high school football defensive linemen to know in 2024

Southwest Missouri has produced a handful of great pass-rushers in recent years who have gone on to play college ball at high levels.

Here are the top defensive linemen in the area entering the 2024 season:

Nick Allen, Lebanon, 12

Allen was a first-team All-Ozark Conference defensive athlete last season, getting in on 25 tackles with three sacks and an interception. Lebanon has a lot of experience coming back to its defensive front.

Logan Churchill, Ava, 12

Churchill was second in the area last season in sacks, only behind a pass-rusher who’s now at Tennessee. He had 12 sacks last season and should continue to be one of the area’s best.

Noah Duley, Webb City, 12

Duley is a 6-foot-5, 235-pound edge rusher catching attention from the Division II level. You can always count on Webb City to have someone who will get after the quarterback.

Brandon Garner-Sims, Stockton, 12

Garner-Sims is one of the best offensive linemen in the area and one of the best defensive linemen. He’s a monster 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle that not many can move.

Mason Hendricks, Lebanon, 12

Hendricks is the main attraction on Lebanon’s defensive line as a 5-foot-11, 195-pound end who was an All-OC first-teamer last season. He had 36 total tackles and three sacks on a defense that didn’t allow more than 26 points in a game during an undefeated regular season.

Logan Hunt, Republic, 12

Hunt was one of the many breakout performers for Republic’s state runner-up team last season. He had 48 total tackles with three sacks and a fumble recovery.

Jaxon Hunter, West Plains, 11

Hunter was one of the area’s best pass-rushers as a sophomore last season. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end had 47 total tackles with 9.5 being for a loss and seven sacks. He’ll be one to keep an eye on moving forward.

Brayden Kent, Logan-Rogersville, 12

Kent developed into one of the top defensive linemen in the area last season when recording 87 total tackles. His closing speed at his size will make him a matchup nightmare in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference.

Wes Mayo, Kickapoo, 12

Mayo previously played some linebacker for the Chiefs but has grown an inch and added 15 pounds to where he will be a defensive lineman to watch. Kickapoo’s produced great pass rushers in recent years and Mayo will be capable of being the next one at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds.

Skyler Slaton, Branson, 12

Slaton is worth watching as a 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end out of an up-and-coming Branson program. Slaton is a big, strong rusher on the edge who can put his opposing tackle on skates.

Lucas Wattenbarger, Reeds Spring, 12

Wattenbarger has put together a few strong years for Reeds Spring and he’ll be one of the Wolves’ best players heading into a new era under head coach Travis Cagle. He had 106 total tackles last season.

Trevor Wilson, Central, 12

It doesn’t matter where Wilson lines up: he’s going to sack the quarterback. He had 10 last year, ranking fourth in the area, following up a 10-sack sophomore season in which he led the area. There’s no reason to think he’ll slow down when lining up against a tougher schedule this season.