Football coaches, at all levels, will tell you games are won or lost in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines.
Having an elite layer on the defensive line can be the ultimate x-factor for any team, and there are several of those players in Southern Nevada.
Here is a look at the top five returning high school football defensive linemen in Southern Nevada entering the season. (Players are listed in alphabetical order).
Johnathan Ioane, Liberty
Ioane put together a strong junior season in 2025 while leading Liberty’s defensive line. Ioane recorded 29 tackles, 13.5 for loss and seven sacks, helping Liberty go 9-2, win the 5A Lake League title and qualify for the Open Division state semifinal. Ioane, listed at 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada defensive lineman and first-team 5A Lake League selection by the coaches.
Tayaun Lawrence, Bishop Gorman
Lawrence is rising as one of the area’s top class of 2028 recruits. As a sophomore last year, he played in seven games and recorded 25 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks and caught a touchdown pass and was an honorable mention on the Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada team. Lawrence, listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, is a four-star recruit by 247Sports as Nevada’s top class of 2028 prospect. He is the site’s eighth-ranked defensive lineman and 61st-ranked overall recruit in the class nationally. He has 11 Division I offers with notable offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas Tech and Washington.
J’siah Leasau, Bishop Gorman
Leasau made an impact in his first full season starting on Gorman’s defensive line in 2025. As a junior, Leasau finished with 65 tackles, 24 for loss, with eight sacks and two forced fumbles while being named a second-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada defensive lineman while helping Gorman roll to the Open Division state title and finish ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps. Leasau, listed at 6-foot and 290 pounds, has Division I offers from Idaho and Sacramento State.
Colton Richter, Shadow Ridge
After a stellar sophomore season in 2024, Richter followed up with a strong junior season last year as he caught the eye of several Division I programs. He recorded 45 tackles, 20 for loss, seven sacks and six pass deflections in 11 games last year and was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada and 5A Desert League selection. Richter, a three-star class of 2027 recruit listed at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, committed to Washington State in June, choosing the Cougars over other notable offers such as UNLV, Boise State, San Diego State and Fresno State. Richter has recorded 36 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in his high school career.
Mike Taylor, Mater East
Taylor played his first two high school seasons at Desert Pines, where he proved to be one of the best defensive ends (and tight ends) in the city. As a sophomore last year, Taylor posted 29 tackles, seven for loss, and six sacks in six games played and was a second-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada selection and first-team 5A Mountain League defensive end by the coaches. Taylor is a three-star recruit and rated as the state’s fifth-ranked class of 2028 recruit. According to 247Sports, Taylor has 25 Division I offers with notable offers from Florida, Missouri, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.
Other names to watch: Malua Atualevao, Liberty; Brandon Belyeu, Mater East; Rayshawn Brown, Desert Pines; Caleb Lea’ea, Bishop Gorman; Calvin Lea’ea, Bishop Gorman; Kai Fields, Desert Oasis; Joel Hernandez, Mater East; Roman Pulefaasisina, Sunrise Mountain; Joel Sandoval, Faith Lutheran.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
