Slingin’ the Pill

KAINOA JONES

The fact that Jones was not on our Postseason DL rankings was certainly an oversight. Jones is as good as anyone in the state at the position. He had the ability to terrorize any offense line that he lined up against. He ended the season with 46 tackles and 5 sacks. He is a no-brainer underrated defensive tackle in the state of Utah.

ASHTON WHITE

White can be easy to miss because he played for a small-town team in the middle of the state. But he was a beast on the field and deserved a shoutout. He tallied ten sacks as a junior last year and will only get better from here. White will be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate next season, and will most likely have to be doubled teamed every snap.

CLARENCE PUTUTAU

Pututau was an absolute menace last season and was a big reason why Woods Cross made the monumental leap that they did last season. He gave interior linemen nightmares and manhandled his opponents with pure strength and aggression. Pututau was only a junior, he will be on the radar of scouts all of the country soon.

TYSON SWEETEN

Sweeten was a part of a defense that was the driving force behind a region championship team. The combination of Sam Pula and Sweeten made for a ferocious run defense. The two mastered the art of clogging up running holes. Tyson got to the quarterback seven times throughout the season and found a way to do it in the most crucial situations.

TREVIS LEISER

Leiser should be near the top of the most underrated edge rushers in the state. Like Woods Cross, Mountain Crest could course-correct their program within a year. The Mustangs turned some heads last season and almost found themselves in the state title game. Leiser was a big reason for their success; he had 11 sacks and over 60 tackles to end the season.

TY STEFANOFF

The Delta Rabbits have themselves a gem with edge rusher Ty Stefanoff. The 2A classification had some of the best statistical edge rushers in the state. South Summit had two excellent ones that led the state in sacks. For that reason, Stefanoff seemed to have been overlooked. Due to his performance and 20, yes, you read that right, 20 sacks, he has a rightful place on this list.

BENSON KOFE

Kofe is a name to remember. Give it a season, and he will be a household name. Last season’s Cyprus Pirates had a lot of hidden gems, and Kofe was certainly one of them. For a big guy he has exquisite technique and excellent footwork. It is a chore attempting to move Kofe off of the line of scrimmage. Excited to see what he is capable of next season.

BOSTON BLANCO

Blanco is not mentioned with some of the best edge rushers in the state, and he should be. Toward the latter part of his high school career he finally started getting looks from colleges. But, this should have been happening at earlier. Blanco helped the Hawks make a surprising playoff run with some big time plays in his opponents backfield.

ROMAN CAYWOOD

Rumors are that Caywood is transferring to Corner Canyon to play against the best in the state. After witnessing his highlights from last season safe to say he will hold his own. Caywood got home nine times and added 45 tackles on top of that. I look forward to what he can do in the most talented region in the state next season.