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The Tim Krumrie Award is given annually to the state's top senior defensive lineman as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after Tim Krumrie, a former Mondovi and University of Wisconsin athlete who would go on to star in the NFL for 12 seasons, including two Pro Bowl appearances.
 
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 15 semi-finalists, and six finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners will be announced the week of November 23rd.

Homestead's Ayo Adebogun burst onto the varsity scene in a big way in 2019, earning WFCA Large School All-State recognition after finishing among state leaders with 31 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He's been near unblockable again this season, with 47 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in just seven games. His initial burst off the line of scrimmage is as explosive as anyone in the state, and that athletic ability is his greatest strength right now. Adebogun has given a verbal commitment to Wisconsin.

Franklin senior Noah Jessup has been a breakout performer in 2020, going from a backup role last season to one of the most disruptive players in the state this year. The 6'4", 220-pound defensive end has 31 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks in just five games this season. He was so good, in fact, that the Sabers moved him inside at times because teams were running away from his side of the field.

Harrison Kielar was a big-time producer on the state-championship defense for Brookfield East last year, recording 88 tackles and seven sacks. In just six games this season, his production has been even better, with 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks in his senior campaign. Head coach Ben Farley calls Kielar the team's most impactful defensive player, exhibiting tremendous work ethic. He's a very physical player and an excellent student-athlete.

Brookfield Central's Hayden Nelson has been a three-year varsity standout for the Lancers and an incredibly productive player during his time on the gridiron. Despite being bothered by injuries this year, he still managed to post 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, two pass deflections, and an interception. The Syracuse recruit is likely to add a third All-Conference selection to his resume. "Hayden is a dominating defensive linemen regardless of where he aligns," said head coach Joel Nellis. "His athleticism and motor causes problems for opposing offenses. Even when he receives attention from offenses, he's still able to cause major disruption. Had he not been limited by injury, his stats would be more prolific. But his impact in the games he's played is evidence enough for consideration for this honor."

After allowing 24 points to Arrowhead in the opening game of the season (who they then shutout last week), the first string defense at Muskego has only given up two touchdowns playing in one of the top leagues in the entire state. Every level of the defense is outstanding, including the line, where Brian Radish has put up impressive numbers as a disruptive force. In eight games he has 68 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and an interception from his defensive line spot. "In my 24 years as a head coach, he is the second best defensive tackle I have ever coached behind Corey Cortez, who was the WFCA defensive player of the year back in 2005," said head coach Ken Krause. "He has an unbelievable motor, is a phenomenal athlete and a complete game changer."

Northwestern's Adam Thompson is the rare defensive lineman that leads the team in tackles, with 50 stops this year. Of those, 22 have come behind the line of scrimmage, with a pair of sacks. It follows a huge junior campaign when he had 74 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and five sacks. "I have never coached a defense where the defensive tackle leads a team in tackles, especially a defense with as sound of linebackers as we have this year, and a good number of those tackles seem to continually happen at or behind the line of scrimmage," said head coach Jovin Kroll. "Adam's ability to control the line of scrimmage against Saint Croix Central last week was the main reason we were able to finally beat Central and hold them under 100 yards of offense in a shutout."

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.