Editors note: This is the fifth installment in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2026 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 broken down by position group.

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

Today the focus shifts to the defensive side of the ball for the first of three defensive groups in the series.

It starts with the guys up front on defense as Your Prep Sports takes a look at the top returning defensive linemen in the area.

Over the next few days the series will wrap up with three more position groups – linebackers, defensive backs and special teams.

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

James Thomsen

Senior, Solon

Thomsen emerged as one of the most disruptive edge players in Class 3A last season earning all-state honors after leading Solon in tackles for loss and ranking second on the team in sacks.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Thomsen was a 3A second-team all-state selection as a defensive lineman after leading Solon with 12.5 tackles for loss and adding 5.5 sacks.

Thomsen was an every down lineman, excelling against the run as well as rushing the passer.

He ranked fifth on the team with 39 tackles from his defensive end spot while forcing a fumble and recovering three fumbles while helping Solon to an 11-1 record and a spot in the 3A semifinals.

Will Litton

Senior, Regina

In the first extended varsity action of his career Litton established himself as one of the top defensive linemen in Class 1A earning first team all-state honors after helping Regina to a 12-1 record and a state runner-up finish.

Litton ranked sixth on the team with 37.5 tackles including 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks on his way to earning first team all-state honors.

A three-sport standout that is also an all-stater in basketball and baseball Litton presents major problems for opposing lineman with his combination of size, speed and athleticism.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Litton ranked second on the team in both tackles for loss and sacks trailing only teammate Tate Wallace, a Minnesota recruit, in both categories.

Simon Einwalter

Senior, Solon

On a defensive line that featured two all-staters in Lucas Feuerbach and James Thomsen it was easy to overlook Einwalter last season.

However, the more Einwalter played the harder it was to ignore his impact.

A high-energy player with a motor that never stops, Einwalter emerged as another disruptor on a stellar Spartan defensive front.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Einwalter ranked eighth on the team with 25.5 tackles last season and has the ability to play any spot on the defensive line.

Einwalter ranked second on the team with 12 tackles for loss and had two sacks helping lead a stingy Solon defense that held opponents to 9.8 points and 211 total yards per game.

Cash Hennings

Senior, Liberty High

A huge factor in Liberty High’s run to the 5A state title game was the play of the Lightning defense.

Among the bright spots on that defense was the play of the defensive line and Hennings was a key part of that of that success.

Hennings ranked sixth on the team with 26.5 tackles from his defensive end spot last season helping Liberty High to an 11-2 record and a 5A runner-up finish.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Hennings was disruptive off the edge, collecting six tackles for loss including 2.5 sacks while forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble.

An athletic end with a long frame, Hennings aggressive play fits well into an attacking Liberty High defense and should have the senior set up for another big season this fall.

Avery Sorensen

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

The potential is there for a big-time breakthrough from Sorensen this season after he flashed impressive potential last season.

A big-framed athlete at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds Sorensen showed a knack for making big plays last season.

Sorensen had 15.5 tackles from his defensive end spot a year ago, with four going for loss including 2.5 sacks while helping Clear Creek Amana to a 4-5 record.

Those numbers should rise this season as Sorensen looks to become an even bigger part of the Clipper defense.

A strong athlete with positional flexibility, Sorensen could become a larger piece of the Clipper offense as well after catching four passes for 47 yards as a tight end last season.

Graham Towler

Senior, West High

Over the past several season West High has had several defensive ends that have made major contributions despite being a bit undersized for the position.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Towler appears to be the next in that list of West High edge weapons.

Towler is an excellent athlete that has a quick first step and plays with tremendous energy which helped him make 19.5 tackles last season.

A second team all-district selection a year ago, Towler had 5.5 tackles for loss including a sack and also added an interception while helping West High to an 8-3 record and a spot in the 5A quarterfinals.

Look for even more production from Towler this season as he takes on an even bigger role in the West High defense.

Hank Thompson

Senior, Liberty High

Another Liberty High defensive linemen that stepped up big last season, Thompson emerged as a playmaker on a Liberty High front that was playing its best at the end of the season.

Thompson ranked third on the team in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks on a Liberty High defense that held opponents to 19.5 points and 267 total yards per game.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Thompson ranked ninth on the team with 23 tackles from his defensive end spot.

Thompson wasn’t just effective he was disruptive, making nine tackles for loss and four sacks while recovering two fumbles and adding an interception.

A hard worker who plays with excellent energy Thompson will be looked to as a leader on what should be another solid Liberty High defensive line this season.

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