Nothing derails an offense like the inability to win the battle up front. Defensive linemen who refuse to give ground and can pressure the quarterback and absolute gamewreckers. These 10 Southwest Florida players, who include four-star prospects Kendall Guervil of Fort Myers and James Johnson of North Fort Myers, exemplify those abilities and are the beating hearts of their defensive units.
You will also have your say as we have included a poll on which area lineman you think is the best. You can also CLICK HERE to vote.
Here’s our list of the area’s best offensive linemen in alphabetical order:
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Best high school football defensive linemen in Southwest Florida for 2024
Henry Brown
Dunbar
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 250, Senior
The athletic defensive tackle had 45 tackles, including 10 for loss, and three fumble recoveries for the Tigers last season.
Top seniors: Listing the top 67 SW Florida seniors for the 2024 high school football season
Michael ‘Mint’ Edwards
Dunbar
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 270, Senior
Another playmaker on the inside for the Tigers, Edwards led the team in tackles-for-loss with 26 stops in the backfield. He had 74 total tackles along with six sacks, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Noah Figueroa
East Lee County
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Senior
The defensive end had 30 tackles, including 11 for loss, a team-leading 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Jaguars last season.
Micah Fils-Aime
First Baptist Academy
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Junior
Top college offers: Wake Forest, Boston College, Massachusetts
A transfer from Golden Gate, Fils-Aime finished with 90 tackles and 30 tackles for loss last season along with 12 sacks to help the Titans’ defense allow just under 16 points per game.
Kendall Guervil
Fort Myers High School
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, Junior
Top college offers: Florida, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee
A four-star prospect, Guervil’s had 49 tackles (eight for loss), 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in nine games for the Green Wave last season.
The Big 15: The top college football recruits from SW Florida high schools ranked No. 1-5
Tommy Halgrim
Fort Myers
Measurables: 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, Senior
College commitment: Air Force
The defensive end had 59 tackles, including nine for loss, three passes defensed and a blocked kick for the Green Wave last season.
Harkym Henry
Lehigh Senior High School
Measurables: 6-4, 240, Senior
Henry plays with a mix of power and explosion on the edge and will be the leader on the defensive front for the Lightning this season.
James Johnson
North Fort Myers
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Junior
Top college offers: Florida, Miami, USC, Wisconsin
A four-star prospect, Johnson recorded 51 tackles, including 13 for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles for the Red Knights last season.
The Big 15: The top college football recruits from SW Florida high schools ranked No. 6-10
Sean Kabengele
Naples
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 305 pounds, Senior
College commitment: Cornell
Kabengele finished with 44 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, adding 12 quarterback hurries and three sacks for the Golden Eagles last season.
Ryan Peterson
Bishop Verot
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Senior
Peterson was consistently active on the Vikings defensive line, leading the team with 19 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks. He made 62 tackles, the second-highest on the team, and recovered two fumbles.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Ranking the top defensive linemen in SW FL high school football. Vote for No. 1
