LOS ANGELES — After ranking the best blockers in the LA Daily News area, the attention now turns to the defensive side of the ball, where the nation’s top pass rushers reside.
Who makes the list? In a list full of ranked commits, here are the top 10 defensive linemen to watch.
Kasi Currie, Sierra Canyon, senior
The defensive line gets problematic for teams facing Sierra Canyon, which has built a powerhouse in Chatsworth. The head of that ferocious pass rush is Currie, who is committed to Texas. Currie was credited with 15 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss. His contributions were felt in all the double teams he drew that allowed his teammates to fill gaps and make tackles in the backfield. At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone as physical and vicious as Currie. Currie is the No. 2-ranked defensive lineman in the country by 24/7 Sports.
Marcus Fakatou, Sierra Canyon, senior
Transfers don’t get more impactful than a player like Fakatou, a transfer from Orange Lutheran who adds to the already monstrous front four for Sierra Canyon. He’s strong enough to play the trenches at tackle but is better suited on the outside as a defensive end and can play in pass coverage. Fakatou is committed to Ohio State and made 28 tackles, 10 TFL, and five sacks last season at Orange Lutheran. Now he’s paired with Currie and the collective potency of Sierra Canyon. Fakatou is behind Currie and the No. 3-ranked defensive lineman in the country by 24/7 Sports.
Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, Oaks Christian, senior
The prospects don’t get any better than Tuihalamaka, who hopes to be among the next generation of quality pass rushers. He is versatile and has success both playing the edge and tackle. He rips his arm through and wins with technique, not to mention his frame of 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. Tuihalamaka made 86 tackles, including 13.5 TFL, eight sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble. Tuihalamaka is committed to USC and is the younger brother of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka.
Cooper Cook, Sierra Canyon, senior
Sierra Canyon is expected to dominate in both flag football and tackle football. And it’s Cook who brings the authority and power, having transferred with his sister Makena, who threw 113 touchdowns as a quarterback and transferred from Mater Dei. Cook comes into Sierra Canyon for his senior year after transferring from Tustin and is committed to UNLV. He totaled 37 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and four sacks.
Kingston Williams, Chaminade, senior
The collective improvement from Chaminade in 2025 was anchored by the growth of Williams. Williams took charge of his defense and became one of the top run stoppers in the area. His 45 tackles, including 12 TFL and four sacks, were huge after Chaminade went from 3-7 in 2025 to 5-6 last season, including 3-2 in Mission League. Williams is committed to UNLV.
Stephan Harrison, Sierra Canyon, sophomore
Harrison is next in line coming through to become one of the top players in the class of 2029. He carries all the physicality and speed the top programs in the country want. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and can already squat 500 pounds as a 15-year-old. He hasn’t played a full season yet and already carries offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, USC, Texas, Miami, Oregon, Cal, Arizona and Arizona State, just to name a few. Did we mention how scary Sierra Canyon’s front four will be? If that’s not bad enough, Harrison can play tight end as well and could very well be one of the top two-way players produced out of the San Fernando Valley.
Brayden Tautolo, Sierra Canyon, senior
The star-studded package of Sierra Canyon football ends with Tautolo, the fifth player from this list. Tautolo made 14 tackles, including four for loss, while also seeing time as a tight end and made 11 catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. He carries multiple Division I offers, including from Wyoming, UNLV and Nevada.
Will Gelt, Agoura, senior
Gelt dominated the Channel League and cracked running backs and receivers with 53 tackles and secured 11 sacks during his junior campaign. He was a workhorse and hardly missed a snap playing both sides of the ball. Gelt carries the size Division I programs look for at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. Whether it’s his work as a blocker or pass rusher, there’s a program out there waiting to take Gelt. He currently holds an offer from the University of San Diego.
Elijah Ham, Saugus, senior
Ham became one of the top pass rushers around Santa Clarita after totaling 49 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and was voted to the All-Foothill League team. Another year of football under his belt at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Ham will be a difference maker for Saugus.
Paul Pennson, North Hollywood, senior
The size might not stand out at first glance, but there’s a destroyer in hiding for the Huskies with Pennson leading the pass rush. Pennson did it all for North Hollywood, from running the football and making catches to impacting the line of scrimmage. Pennson made 15 sacks along with his 45 tackles and 16 TFL. No known commits, just a man who loves to make tackles and wreak havoc.
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