AREA DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
The high school football season begins this week in Memphis and Tennessee. Here is a look at the top returning offensive players in the area.
The Mustangs were able to win the 2017 Region 8-4A title thanks to plenty of clutch tackling from this outside linebacker.
In helping the Lynx go back-to-back in Division II-AA, the defensive back led his team with five interceptions and registered 79 tackles.
As an underclassman, this upstart defensive back recorded four interceptions for the Tigers in 2017.
Dean is the top linebacker in the country and top college prospect in Mississippi according to 247Sports.
The linebacker’s nose for the football was highly evident in 2017, as he tallied 111 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions.
It would have been easy to dish out all of the Division II-AA all-region defensive backfield spots to Lausanne, yet this two-way Crusader and UT-Martin commit made opposing quarterbacks think twice before throwing his way. Here’s yet another talented linebacker (6-2, 235) willing to help the Tigers make another deep run into the Class 6A playoffs.
Like Region 8-6A rival Whitehaven, the Red Devils finished 2017 with 11 wins. Another successful run will require plenty of big plays from this defensive back.
It was a rare sub-.500 campaign for the Warriors, but don’t blame this defensive tackle and Memphis commitment, who was one of many reasons Central stunned Cordova in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
The Purple Wave were extremely stingy in Division II-AAA play, and this defensive end was more than happy to make his presence felt on a week-to-week basis.
The 6-2, 160-pound speedster will see plenty of snaps at QB, yet cornerback is also a listed position for him on this talented Eagle roster.
The Gators have gotten extremely good pumping out the NCAA Division I talent, and this cornerback and Ole Miss commitment fits that mold.
A pair of Class 6A playoff victories were secured by the Spartans in 2017, and this linebacker was there to lend a big hand.
The accolades were a common sight for this defensive end and Georgia commitment, who’ll look to go one step further than the Division II-AAA semis.
Scott had four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
In concluding the 2017 season with a 12-1 record, the Pharaohs persevered with constant contributions from this fiery linebacker.
The Lynx possessed the best defensive backfield in all of the Shelby-Metro area, which included Sims.
With four interceptions, including one for a TD in 2017, this defensive back and LSU commitment will be among the true proven leaders for the Warriors.
The Patriots will look to take full advantage of this safety and Baylor commitment’s athleticism in order to compete in the difficult MHSAA Region 1-5A portion of their schedule.
On a Jaguar defensive line dominated by seniors in 2017, this 6-2, 272-pound tackle more than held his own and was a force to be reckoned with in a competitive Region 8-5A.