Here are southwest Missouri's high school football defensive linemen to know in 2023
Southwest Missouri features a few of the state’s premiere pass rushers and some solid run-stuffers on the defensive line.
Among the top defensive linemen in the area include an SEC recruit and a few all-state capable players. There are also a few who have shown they’re capable of taking the next step into joining the area’s best.
Here are the defensive linemen to know in 2023:
Jayden Antonelli, Nixa
Antonelli is coming off a breakout junior season in which he finished third in the area with eight sacks. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Antonelli is a superb athlete off the edge. He has speed, good arm length and pursuit when chasing down a running back on the stretch or when bringing a quarterback down for a sack. We fully expect him to remain among the area’s best with a big senior year.
Rourke Dillon, Lamar
Dillon is a big presence in the interior of the Tigers’ state runner-up defensive line. He can take up multiple offensive linemen and sit in a hole on a double team and get a good rush using his great upper-body strength. He’s someone the Tigers will love to build its defensive line around with some others moving on.
Cole Gimlin, Republic
Gimlin was a standout defensive end for the Tigers last season and will play a critical role when they can start to dream about winning a Central Ozark Conference this year. Gimlin had four sacks last year off the edge adding to 44 total tackles with 44 being solo. He consistently made plays for the Republic defense which should continue.
John Goodwin, Forsyth
The Panthers will try to repeat as Mid-Lakes champs after winning it for the first time a year ago. Goodwin was a big part of the Forsyth defense that needed opportune plays when it was typically playing in close, high-scoring matchups. Goodwin finished last year with four sacks with a few of them coming at some of the biggest moments with opponents driving deep into Panther territory.
Kellen Lindstrom, Glendale
One of the premiere names in southwest Missouri entering the year, Lindstrom is a Tennessee commit coming off the Falcons’ edge. He has the measurables desired by big-time college programs as a 6-foot-5, 235-pounder with long arms and a motor that no one else had. The four-star recruit will demand a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines but he should still get his numbers after making 73 total tackles, six tackles for a loss and a sack last season. Those numbers should go up for maybe the best player in the Ozarks.
Noah Richardson, Hollister
Richardson is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end who had 98 tackles and six sacks for the Tigers last season. He’s a big, strong player who rushes off the edge. He’s stronger than most and the effort he plays with turns into touchdown-saving tackles along with the highlight plays when he crushes a ball carrier for a loss.
Trevor Wilson, Central
Wilson was the area’s sack leader last season while breaking the Central High School record with 10 at the end of the season. He was only a sophomore. Wilson isn’t only good at bringing down the quarterback as he’s proven to be a solid, quick athlete off the ball. He can chase down a running back from behind and he’s always fighting to make the next play. His athleticism could turn into a little bit of flexibility this year as he could be looking at time at linebacker.
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Southwest Missouri high school football defensive linemen to watch
