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Spring has arrived, meaning we’re just a few short months away from the 2025 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season.
These lists will include area players who were statistically some of the area’s best in 2024. All submissions were also sent in with stats provided by their coaches.
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Pass-Catchers | Offensive Linemen
We’ve gone through all of the offensive position groups. Now, it’s time to take a look at the other side of the ball.
Here are 30 returning Nashville area defensive linemen you need to keep an eye on during the 2025 season:
Darius Denton, Antioch, Jr.: Denton made his impact felt last season, racking 15 tackles to go along with three tackles for loss and six sacks.
Rashad Glenn, Antioch, Jr.: Glenn was the Bears top threat up front last season, accounting for 43 tackles, 12 sacks, and 11 tackles for loss.
Justice Pittman, BGA, Jr.: Pittman picked up All-Region honors after tallying 45 tackles, five sacks and four tackles for loss.
Tremel Johnson, Blackman, Sr.: Johnson had a solid junior season up front for the Blaze in 2024, racking up 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.
James Stewart, Blackman, Jr.: An up-and-coming prospect, Stewart had a good sophomore season on a stout Blaze defensive front, accumulating 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and a sack.
Zeke Walkup, Cannon County, Jr.: Walkup was one of the Lions’ best as a sophomore, tallying 64 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery to earn All-Region honors.
Sam Curtis, Cannon County, Sr.: Curtis will be the experienced player up front for the Lions, and is coming off a great junior year where he totaled 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown.
Eli Dickey CPA, Sr.: Dickey played a massive role in the Lions’ run to another DII-AA championship, racking up 64 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Ronald Moore Jr., Davidson Academy, Jr.: Moore could be in store for a huge junior season after tallying 23 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore.
Devin Phillips, East Nashville, So.: Phillips may have only been a freshman last season, but that didn’t stop him from earning All-Region and All-City offers in a season where he accounted for 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.
Zach Groves, East Robertson, Sr.: Groves is not only one of the area’s best, but one of the best edge rushers in the country. A four-star recruit, Groves recorded 65 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, four sacks, a pick-six, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
Kanye Prince, East Robertson, Jr.: An All-Region and All-County selection, Prince made an impact as a sophomore with 30 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks.
Keilan Neal, FRA, Jr.: Neal made waves on both sides of the ball for the Panthers, earning All-State and All-Region honors. It could be argued that he was at his best on defense after tallying 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and five sacks.
Bobby Cripps, Gordonsville, Sr.: Cripps is primed for a big season after recording 98 tackles and six tackles for loss as a junior.
Ethan Harris, Green Hill, Sr.: A standout on both sides of the ball, Harris is a rising three-star prospect with multiple college offers. A 30+ game starter, he brings a plethora of experience to both the Hawks’ offense and defense.
Luka Nash, Green Hill, Sr.: Nash was one of the Hawks’ most tenacious forces up front during their unbeaten regular season run, earning All-Region honors.
Josiah Stewart, Hillsboro, Sr.: A 6-foot-0, 200-pound edge, Stewart finished his junior year with 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Jayden York, Hillsboro, Sr.: York was Stewart’s running mate, tacking on 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks for the Burros.
Joe Dennis, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.: Dennis excelled in limited playing time last year, accounting for 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Miguel Hernandez, Mt. Juliet, Sr.: With Atticus Fiorita stealing the spotlight, Hernandez may have been overshadowed at times, but he’s coming off of a great junior season where he totaled 50 tackles, 11.5 tackles for los, 10 sacks, and three fumble recoveries.
Colt McClary, Nashville Christian, Sr.: McClary was a force up front in the Eagles DII-A title run, accumulating 41 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Robert Williams II, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.: Williams made massive strides during his junior season with the Firebirds, tallying 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Avery Hughes, Portland, Sr.: JR. Hughes is one of the area’s most intimidating forces up front and is primed for a massive senior year. As a junior he totaled 56 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.
Danny Brown, Ravenwood, Sr.: Brown terrorized opposing offenses during his time at Lipscomb Academy, and will look to do the same during his senior season with the Raptors.
Sam Rohan, Ravenwood, Sr.: Rohan terrorized opposing offenses during his junior season, finishing the year with 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Anthony Gunn, Riverdale, Sr.: Gunn will be relied upon heavily this year for the Warriors after a standout junior season where he totaled 56 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Melvin Boone III, Rockvale, Sr.: Boone did it all for Rockets starting at guard on offensive and playing every position on the line defensively. He was at his best on defense racking up 80 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback pressures, and eight sacks.
Ryland Keefe, Station Camp, Sr.: Keefe deservedly earned All-Region honors last season tallying 60 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and a blocked kick.
Keyioun McAllister, Stratford, Sr.: McCallister had a great junior season for the Spartans, accounting for 29 tackles and five sacks.
Evan Bragg, Wilson Central, Sr.: Bragg will look to build upon a year where he had 26 tackles and a sack, but was most impactful on special teams blocking four punts.
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