From Garrison Utley to CJ Nickson, The Oklahoman ranked the top defensive linemen for the 2024 Oklahoma high school football season.
Oklahoma high school footballis full of talented quarterbacks, but no one has an easy road to success this season.
That’s because they have to run from the guys on this list.
From explosive edge rushers to gritty nose guards, these linemen know how to read plays and dismantle an offensive scheme in an instant.
Here's The Oklahoman's ranking of the state's best defensive linemen:
More: Oklahoma high school football 2024 season preview: The top players, teams and more
10. Devin Gillispie II, Sr., Choctaw
Gillispie was a force on the Yellowjackets' loaded defensive line in his first season after arriving from Edmond Memorial. He currently has offers from Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State and NAIA Langston.
9. Garrison Utley, Sr., Norman North
Garrison, the younger brother of Kansas offensive lineman Harrison Utley, was chosen to The Oklahoman's All-State second team last season after recording 72 tackles, 12 for loss, 14.5 sacks and two blocked kicks.
8. Cash Jacobsen, Sr., Jenks
Jacobsen is considered as one of the top defensive lineman in the state's senior class and he'll continue be a force to watch at the line of scrimmage for Jenks. A three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Jacobsen announced his commitment to two-time defending FCS champion South Dakota State on June 11. Along with the Jackrabbits, he held offers from the three military academies, Cornell, Illinois State and Yale, among others
7. Caden Davis, Sr., Carl Albert
Davis is a flexible force for the Titans, as the 6-foot-1, 210-pound prospect plays multiple roles on defense. He played both defensive end and linebacker, recording 185 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior. Davis was named to The Oklahoman's All-State first team last year.
6. Josiah Hammond, Sr., Tulsa Union
Hammond had a breakout junior year at Tulsa Rogers, emerging as one of the best defensive linemen in the state before transferring to Tulsa Union in March. The Kansas commit had 44 tackles, nine for loss, two sacks and 27 quarterback pressures last season.Hammond was ranked No. 16 on The Oklahoman's Super 30.
More: A look at The Oklahoman's 2025 Super 30 high school football recruiting series
5. Dakotah Terrell, Sr., Pocola
Terrell was a catalyst on both sides of the ball throughout last season, which included a Class A playoff appearance for Pocola. The three-star recruit recorded 38 tackles, eight for loss, four sacks and two interceptions while playing on the defensive line. Terrell has offers from Arkansas, Florida, OU, Oklahoma State, Michigan, and Texas A&M, among others.
4. Tajh Overton, Jr., Owasso
Overton had a breakout year for the Rams as a sophom*ore, skyrocketing to the top of rankings for 2026 recruits. The four-star prospect recorded 64 tackles, 25 for loss, five sacks, 15 quarterback pressuresand helped guide Owasso to the Class 6A-I state semifinals. Overton currently has offers from Auburn, OU, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, among others.
3. Alexander Shieldnight, Sr., Wagoner
Shieldnight, an OU commit, holds Wagoner's program record for career sacks, with 13 added to his total in 2023 alone. The three-star edge rusher recorded 83 tackles, 47 quarterback pressures and one blocked PAT attempt to go along with 502 receiving yards as a tight end.
2. Colton Yarbrough, Jr., Durant
Yarbrough has already established himself as one of the best players in the state heading into his junior season and projects to be a star in the years to come. The four-star edge rusher had a breakout sophom*ore season and has collected over a dozen power four offers from Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Tennessee, among others. Yarbrough recently committed to Arkansas.
1. CJ Nickson, Sr., Weatherford
A versatile athlete who also holds Division I offers in basketball, Nickson was ranked No. 2 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 list this summer. The OU commit was a dominant force on both sides of the ball as a junior at Weatherford. Coming off the edge, Nickson registered 54 tackles, five for loss a sack and five pass breakups.
Jordan Daviscovers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at@jdavis34_. Sign up forThe Varsity Club newsletterto access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
