By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Superstars come cheap these days.
In a state where its gridiron legends are treated like royalty, even deep in the heart of Texas, there is another level of superstardom that some states have difficulty achieving.
They may not be at the top of the heap quite yet, but these defensive dynamos are ready to make a significant impact. Some will even be so good that they may be a few years from becoming a household name.
These are some of the top junior defensive players in the state of Texas.
Top Junior Defensive Players in Texas
Aaron Benson, LB, Cedar Hill (6-1, 205)
Benson is primarily a run-stuffer at linebacker for the Longhorns, but a very good one. Benson broke throw onto the varsity roster as a freshman, almost unheard of in Texas 5A football. Benson also excels in basketball for Cedar Hill and is seen as a Division I prospect at point guard. Benson posted a respectable 52 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore.
Taylor Bible, DL, Denton Guyer (6-3, 280)
Bible was a unanimous First Team All-District selection in 5-4A in 2007, not too shabby for a sophomore. Bible was one of the bright spots last season for the Wildcats, who struggled to a 1-9 record. Bible checked in with 24 tackles and one sack last season for Guyer.
Kent Brooks, DB, Humble Atascocita (5-10, 200)
Brooks is coming off a solid 2007 for the Eagles, despite Atascocita’s 3-7 season record. Brooks is the leading returning tackler for the Eagles, posting 87 tackles as a sophomore. Brooks tacked on two interceptions to his name last season. The publicity is increasing on this defensive back heading into his junior season.
Michael Daniels, DL, Garland Naaman Forest (6-4, 230)
Daniels joined teammate John Harris as Sophomore Most Valuable Player in District 10-5A in 2007. Daniels posted 18 tackles and one sack last season for the Rangers. Daniels is a player on the cusp of a huge 2008 season, putting his name firmly on the recruiting map.
Ahmad Dixon, DB, Waco Midway (6-1, 185)
Dixon was a First Team All-District choice in 16-4A as a sophomore. Dixon recorded 105 tackles last season for the Panthers, a team looking to push for the postseason in 2008. Dixon is one of the top safeties in Region II already and is an outstanding prospect in the Class of 2010.
Jay Guy, DT, Aldine Eisenhower (6-3, 300)
Guy is a big nasty to stuff the run tipping 300 pounds already, and Guy is also a big-time prospect. Guy picked up a Second Team All-District selection in 19-5A as a sophomore. Some prime schools are already in the running for this run-stopper, including the University of Texas.
Earl Hines, LB, Port Arthur Memorial (6-2, 205)
Hines wasted no time in making a huge splash at the highest level for Port Arthur Memorial in 2007. AS a sophomore, Hines was outstanding checking in with 126 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Hines was a Second Team All-District selection in 21-5A last season. With a similar performance, Hines should have no problem improving his stature in the All-District race.
Bryant Jackson, DB, Sulphur Springs (6-3, 180)
Jackson snagged a team-leading five interceptions coupled with two fumble recoveries and 31 tackles as a sophomore. Those who voted for All-District honors in 11-4A had seen enough, naming Jackson the Newcomer of the Year in the district. Big things are potentially in store for this budding star.
Jackson Jeffcoat, Plano West (6-5, 230)
If the surname of Jeffcoat sounds familiar, you do know your football history. Jackson’s father Jim played in the National Football League at a high level in his 15-year career. Jeffcoat has two Super Bowl rings earned with the Dallas Cowboys.
You could say sacking quarterbacks is in Jackson’s DNA. As a sophomore, Jackson was a First Team All-District pick in 9-5A, almost unheard of for a player that young at that level. Jeffcoat recorded 78 tackles, 10 sacks, and eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 2007.
Dylan Klare, DL, Refugio (6-2, 230)
How many times do you have a player that earns All-District honors on both sides of the football? Klare was a First Team pick in 31-2A on the offensive line, and was a Second Team choice on defense. Klare recorded 112 tackles with 20 of them behind the line of scrimmage as a sophomore.
Kurt Killens, LB, Round Rock McNeil (6-3, 200)
Killens recorded 102 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery as a junior, but was left off the 13-5A All-District team as McNeil limped to a 4-6 record. Killens leads an outstanding corps of linebackers that includes Russell Czernek. Killens will do his part to ensure McNeil’s record improves first before worrying about All-District honors.
Caleb Lavey, LB, Celina (6-3, 225)
Lavey was a member of the 3A-Division II state champions last season as Celina rolled to the title with a 16-0 record. Lavey posted 100 tackles and six sacks in 2006 as a freshman, putting in on the path for greater things to come. In 2007, Lavey was named the Defensive MVP in 9-3A. Lavey is a load and hits a ton. Big things are in store for this small town hero.
Eddrick Loften, DB, Irving Nimitz (5-11, 185)
Loften played his part on both sides of the football as a sophomore for the Tigers. On offense on just eight receptions, Loften averaged over 25 yards per grab and scored three touchdowns. Loften’s niche’ might be on defense, where he posted 122 tackles and has six career interceptions from his safety spot in his young career.
Luke Muncie, DB, Klein Oak (6-3, 190)
Muncie was a Second Team All-District selection in 16-5A for the Panthers after starting 12 games a sophomore. Muncie recorded 67 tackles and an interception. Muncie has a huge upside as well as already proving he could compete at the highest level in high school football.
Corey Nelson, LB, Dallas Skyline (6-0, 185)
For this Skyline product from Dallas, the sky is the limit. Nelson definitely learned quickly how to seek out a quarterback, posting 12 sacks as a sophomore to go along with his 75 stops on defense. Nelson was the Sophomore of the Year in District 11-5A in 2007. With Nelson back on defense, Skyline is considered the favorite for district honors in 9-5A this season.
Daniel Noble, DT, Flower Mound Marcus (6-4, 275)
Noble was the Sophomore of the Year in 6-5A in 2007. Noble got his feet wet in the highest level of varsity football in the state of Texas by posting 28 tackles, four sacks, and one fumble recovery. Expect more production from Noble this time around as the Marauders look for a postseason berth.
Cameron Nwosu, LB, Klein Forest (5-10, 210)
Nwosu was a First Team All-District pick in 16-5A as a sophomore, making a huge splash for the Golden Eagles. Nwosu is the leading returning tackles for Klein Forest after posting 90 tackles in 2007.
Joseph Okafor, DE/DT, Houston Bellaire (6-7, 260)
Okafor seems to have been created to chase quarterbacks from the edge or inside. Entering his junior season, Okafor is 6-7, 260 pounds and still growing. Okafor is regarded as an emerging prospect for the Cardinals entering for 2008. Don’t be shocked if Okafor and his Bellaire team make a run for the postseason this time around. Okafor also is a blue-chip prospect in basketball along with football. Okafor was a Second Team All-District pick in 20-5A.
Holmes Onwukaife, DE, Cedar Park (6-2, 210)
Onwukaife exploded onto the radar as a sophomore, showing loads of promise for the Timberwolves. A Second Team All-District selection in 14-5A in 2007, Onwukaife posted 35 tackles and four sacks for Cedar Park. Get a hand on him early coming off the edge, easier said that done with his 4.5 speed.
Jackson Richards, DE, Southlake Carroll (6-4, 250)
Richards, for now, already has his college choice out of the way by verbally committing to Texas Tech University. Richards will team with hot prospect Brayden Burnett to form one of the best rush-end duos in the state of Texas. As a sophomore, Richards logged 24 tackles and two sacks for one of the elite programs in the state.
Keighen Thetford, LB, Arlington (6-0, 190)
Thetford has a huge sophomore season for the Colts. Thetford was named the Defensive Sophomore of the Year in 8-5A after recording 101 tackles. Arlington moves to 4-5A in 2008 and is a serious threat to make a serious playoff push despite its 4-6 record from a year ago.
Tyrus Thompson, DT, Pflugerville (6-5, 285)
Pflugerville enters the 2008 season with arguably the best defensive line in the entire state. Along with ends Alex Okafor and I.K. Enemkpali, Thompson will be relied upon to clog the middle so the ends can go to work. Pick your poison on whom to block. Thompson is set to make a huge impact for the Panthers in 2008. Pflugerville lost in the 5A-Division II state title game last season, and is a good bet to get back to Houston this season.
Cheyenne Urban, LB, Allen (5-11, 215)
Allen came through the regular season unscathed before being shocked in the first game of the postseason. The Eagles have some business to tend to in 2008, and Urban intends to lead the linebacking corps as they take care of it. Urban was the 9-5A Defensive Newcomer of the Year last season for Allen.
Reggie Wilson, DE, Haltom (6-4, 230)
Despite Haltom’s 2-8 record, Wilson was named the Sophomore MVP in 5-5A in 2007. Wilson recorded 54 tackles, six quarterback sacks, and two fumble recoveries for the Buffaloes last season. Wilson is a good piece to build around in order for Haltom to make a postseason push for the next few years.
Preston Wimberley, Richardson Berkner (6-2, 230)
Wimberley was voted a Sophomore of the Year in 9-5A last season. Wimberley logged 34 tackles and three sacks in 2007. Against Plano in week 2 of the season, Wimberley recorded 11 tackles and two sacks. The Rams are looking to make a push towards the postseason this season.
Juniors on the rise
De’Aires Cotton, DT, Alief Taylor (6-4, 275)
Kenneth Dickie, LB, Spring Westfield (5-10, 210)
Brandon Forge, DE, De Soto (6-4, 220)
Demetrich Gilliam, LB, Klein Oak (5-10, 200)
Tony Hurd, DB, Fort Bend Marshall (5-9, 180)
Antonio Johnson, DL, Diboll (6-5, 235)
Clarence Lee, DE, Jefferson (6-4,215)
NaQuan Lee, DE, Crockett (6-5, 255)
Austin Lunsford, DT, Garrison (6-3, 285)
Zachary Winbush, DB, Schertz Clemens (6-2, 200)
Adrian White, DB, De Soto (6-0, 180)