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Texas high school football: Top 10 defensive linemen in the Austin area

colby gordon, austin american-statesman
·3 min read

As the 2024 Texas high school football season draws near, the American-Statesman is ranking the best players by each position group.

High school reporters Rick Cantu and Colby Gordon will start with offensive linemen and end with quarterbacks next week.

OUR TEAM RANKINGS: The 10 best Austin-area teams heading into 2024 season

OUR PLAYER RANKINGS: Top 10 QBs | Top 10 RBs | Top 10 WRs | Top 10 LBs | Top 10 DBs | Top 10 OL

ANSWERING KEY QUESTIONS: Which are high school is most likely to win state? Which nonplayoff team from 2023 will get in this year?

Top 10 defensive linemen in the Austin area

(Players listed in alphabetical order)

Gus Cordova, Lake Travis defensive end/tackle

The USC commit received offers from dozens of Power Four Schools. This senior is a force in the trenches.

MORE ON THE CAVS: Lake Travis has experienced QB, talented newcomers needed to retake district

Gus Cordova, a defensive end for the Lake Travis football team, has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Southern California. He will be a senior for the Cavaliers in the fall.
Gus Cordova, a defensive end for the Lake Travis football team, has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Southern California. He will be a senior for the Cavaliers in the fall.

Caius Coy, Westwood defensive end

A first-team all-district pick last fall as a junior, he’ll lead the Warriors’ playoff push. He's pledged to Sam Houston State.

Caleb Dickey, LBJ defensive end

Now with the Jaguars after starring at Crockett the last few years, he made 146 tackles and had seven forced fumbles as a junior.

MOVE DOWN COULD BE KEY: Why Dickey and LBJ have a legit shot at a state title

Maddox Flynt, Westlake defensive tackle/end

The District 26-6A defensive player of the year and first-team all-Central Texas pick last fall will be even better this season as a junior.

Westlake defensive lineman Maddox Flynt was among the top newcomers of the high school football season. He was a big reason the Chaparrals had one of the best defenses in the state. Westlake went 14-1.
Westlake defensive lineman Maddox Flynt was among the top newcomers of the high school football season. He was a big reason the Chaparrals had one of the best defenses in the state. Westlake went 14-1.

MORE ON THE CHAPS: Westlake hopes to redeem itself after 2 straight trips to state semifinals

Tyler Gottschalk, Weiss defensive tackle

Big and fast, he’ll need to have a productive year as the lone player with experience on the Wolves’ defensive line. The senior, who is also a long snapper and tight end, is committed to Division II power Colorado School of Mines.

MORE ON THE WOLVES: Can Weiss bounce back after big losses to graduation?

Justin Lee, Round Rock defensive end

Quick off the edge, Lee is primed for another impactful year if he isn’t double- or triple-teamed every play. The spring graduates is committed to UTEP.

Justin Lee of Round Rock tackles Cedar Ridge quarterback Jacari Killingsworth. Round Rock won a district football game over Cedar Ridge 48-21 at home on October 28, 2022.
Justin Lee of Round Rock tackles Cedar Ridge quarterback Jacari Killingsworth. Round Rock won a district football game over Cedar Ridge 48-21 at home on October 28, 2022.

Daeshon Morgan, Vandegrift defensive end

At 6-foot-3, 265 pounds the senior has the size to dominate opposing lines. Pledged to Arizona State, Morgan also received offers from Texas Tech and Cal.

3 KEY PLAYERS, QUESTIONS: Why Vandegrift checks in at No. 5 in our preseason countdown

Alister Vallejo, Liberty Hill defensive end/tackle

Whether playing inside or on the edge, he’s difficult to deal with. Had more than 70 tackles as a sophomore and has received an offer from Ole Miss.

RELATED: Liberty Hill needs Vallejo, defense to lead the way as offense revs up

Connor Vasek, Westlake defensive end

Teams up with Flynt and Cullen Devine for the best defensive line in the area. The senior has pledged to play at Air Force.

Westlake defensive ends Colton Vasek (91) and Nate Weyand (94) celebrate a sack during the 6A Division 1 quarterfinal playoff game against Brennan at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Dec. 3, 2022.
Westlake defensive ends Colton Vasek (91) and Nate Weyand (94) celebrate a sack during the 6A Division 1 quarterfinal playoff game against Brennan at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Dec. 3, 2022.

MORE: No. 1 Westlake enters 2024 season as Central Texas' top football team

Ian Witt, Vandegrift defensive tackle

A third-team all-Central Texas pick as a junior a year ago, he had 52 tackles, 11 for loss and 2 sacks for one of Class 6A's top defenses.

WITT AND MORGAN LEAD THE WAY: No. 5 Vandegrift will rely on defense while revamped offense makes its mark this fall

Also keep an eye on: Cullen Devine, sr., Westlake; Marco Sanchez, sr., East View; Dylan Turbeville, sr., Georgetown; Tyler Evans, sr., Rouse; Jason Handy, sr., Vista Ridge; Tiki Hola, jr., Bastrop

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football recruiting: 10 best DL in the Austin area