Editors note: This is the fifth article in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2025 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 50 is an eight-story series that highlights 50 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

Over the past several days the series has begun by featuring the top returning offensive players with looks at four position groups – quarterbacks, running backs, pass catchers and offensive line.

Now the focus turns to the defensive side of the ball with a look at some of the top returning defensive linemen in the area.

In the upcoming days three more position groups – linebacker, defensive back and special teams – will round out the series.

Here is a look at seven of the top returning defensive linemen in the area for this season.

Raphael Etuma

Senior, City High

Etuma established himself as one of the top defensive linemen in the state last fall with a breakthrough junior season in which he ranked in the top 20 in Class 5A in tackles for loss.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Etuma ranked seventh on the team with 29 tackles last season and led City High with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks on his way to earning first team all-district honors.

An impressive athlete, Etuma finished sixth at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament last season at 215 pounds and has the ability to wreak havoc both as a pass rusher and against the run from his defensive end spot.

Etuma has earned high praise from the City High coach staff already and appears poised to take his game to an even higher level this fall.

Jackson Williams

Senior, Liberty High

On a Liberty High roster loaded with highly decorated players it was easy to overlook the job that Williams did on the defensive line for the Lightning last season.

Williams quietly put together an impressive debut season racking up 17.5 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack while helping Liberty High to the most successful season in program history.

The 6-foot, 240-pound Williams is stout against the run and was a big reason the Liberty High defense stiffened down the stretch a year ago and reached the Clas 5A semifinals.

With an extra year of experience now under his belt look for an even better season for Williams (and fellow defensive line returning starter Jacob Avgenackis) this fall as the defensive front could emerge as a strength for the Lightning.

Jackson Law

Senior, West High

Law found his way onto the field two seasons ago as a sophomore but took off last season leading West High in tackles for loss and sacks as a junior while helping the Trojans advance to the Class 5A quarterfinals.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Law ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 38 last season and led the Trojans with 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks from his defensive end spot.

Law was a first team all-district and second team all-Mississippi Valley Conference pick following high breakout season last fall that also included returning a fumble for a touchdown.

A high-motor player, Law has put on weight to go with his speed off the edge and should be among the most productive defensive lineman in Class 5A this fall.

Lincoln Naber

Senior, West Branch

In the first extended action of his career Naber flourished last season ranking in the top five on the team in tackles and in the top three in both tackles for loss and sacks.

The production from last season was excellent but what may be even better for Naber and West Branch this fall is the rangy Naber seemed to just be scratching the surface of his potential last fall.

Naber racked up 38 tackles, 22 solo stops, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks a year ago in his first real varsity action.

A key performer on both the West Branch track and field and basketball teams the 6-foot-3 Naber will bring speed and athleticism as well as versatility to the Bear defense this season.

Naber is expected to play offensive line this season and will line up all over the field on defense including at outside linebacker where he will be an active play maker against the run and the pass.

Quayshon Harrington

Senior, Liberty High

Another returner on the defensive line for Liberty High Harrington-Johnson showed the ability to be a major disruptor from his defensive tackle spot in his debut season last fall.

Harrington-Johnson ranked eighth on the team with 31 tackles including 18 solo stops and eight tackles for loss.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Harrington-Johnson is a fantastic athlete and showed a quick burst last season while ranking second on the team with 2.5 sacks.

A big season should be coming for Harrington-Johnson who is one of four Liberty High defenders returning with more than 30 tackles last season.

Colby Myers

Senior, Solon

Myers was a key piece of both the offensive and defensive lines for Solon last season and will again be a leader on both groups this fall.

However, Myers may be at his best on the defensive side of the ball where he was an active force from his end spot last season.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Myers showed an explosiveness on both sides of the ball a year ago but it was especially noticeable on defense as Myers ranked seventh on the team in tackles.

Myers had 27.5 tackles with 6.5 for loss and two sacks and should see those numbers rise this season as he takes on a bigger role on the Spartan defensive front.

Kane Willey

Senior, City High

Willey returns alongside Etuma to give City High a high-end tandem on the defensive front.

The 6-foot, 230-pound Willey was among the most productive defensive lineman in Class 5A last season ranking fifth on the team with 33 tackles.

Willey had 22 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss and two sacks in his debut season at City High last fall.

A three-sport athlete, Willey brings power and flexibility to the City High defensive front with the ability to play either outside at end or on the interior of the defensive line.

Look for a big season from Willey who is also expected to be a major contributor on the City High offensive line.

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