Milan Edison's Castera Mastropaolo named National Athlete of the MonthOhio junior earns MaxPreps Semper Fidelis AOM award presented by the Marines. Who are Ohio's top returning high school football players entering the 2018 season? The Buckeye State has a deep talent pool. These are some of the sharks. Kickoff is coming.

Perry senior Jake Reid is the reigning OPSWA D-IV Defensive Player of the Year (had 14 interceptions last season).
Photo by ScoutingOhio.com
Ohio HS Football '18: Medium School Defensive Backs (Div. III-IV) Key names to know Fridays this fall.
Player, School, Ht, Wt, Graduating Class
* Cade Stover, Lexington, 6-5, 220 (2019)Ohio State commit is ranked the fourth best prospect in Ohio and the ninth top prospect at outside linebacker nationally according to the 247sports composite rankings. Was named first team
OPSWA Division III All-Ohio at defensive back last season when he registered 130 tackles. Has over 400 career tackles. Holds 22 offers including Oklahoma, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn sate, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, west Virginia and Wisconsin.
* Jake Reid, Perry, 6-3, 165 (2019)First team
OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection was the D-IV Ohio Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season after registering 14 interceptions and 56 tackles. Also caught 19 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
* Kievaughn Sanks, Aiken (Cincinnati), 5-8, 165 (2019)Two-time All-Ohio selection (first team
OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season) is also two-time first team All-Southwest District and three-time All-Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference selection. Notched 46 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries last season after making 29 tackles, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore. Offensively has 17 total touchdowns last two years.
* Jayshon Bester, Collinwood (Cleveland), 5-7, 150 (2019)Second team
OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection registered 72 tackles, eight PBU, five TFL, four interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last year. Offensively was a triple threat (rushed for 627 yards, threw for 357 yards and had 250 yards receiving; scored nine total touchdowns). Also returned kicks.
2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Postseason Brackets* Anthony Sciarroni, St. Francis de Sales (Columbus), 6-0, 180 (2019)Second team
OPSWA D-III All-Ohio had six interceptions, 10 PBU and 52 tackles. Was first team All-Central District.
* Dominique McClain, Woodward (Toledo), 6-0, 190 (2019)Second team
OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection was the Toledo City League Player of the Year last season after registering 82 tackles and 3 INTs on defense and 1,700 total yards and 20 touchdowns as a quarterback.
* Micah Coleman, Eastmoor Academy (Columbus), 5-7, 180 (2019)Second team
OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection had 86 tackles, 11 TFL, six sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two interceptions as a junior.
* Max Showalter, Bay (Bay Village), 6-1, 185 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection had 38 tackle, six interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown last year.
2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Statistics
* Cameron Rogers, Perry, 6-2, 200 (2019)First team
OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection registered 53 tackles, 3.5 sacks and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
* Seth Hurd, Vermilion, 6-1, 170 (2019)Second team
OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection had 41 tackles and five interceptions (returned two for touchdowns). As a quarterback he completed 132-of-266 passes for 1,570 yards and 21 touchdowns. Also ran for 420 yard and five touchdowns.
2017 Ohio HS Football Pictures* Demarco Bradley, Taft (Cincinnati), 5-6, 160 (2019)Second team
OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection was a threat in all facets of game. Defensively had 78 tackles, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recovies. Offensively ran for 591 yards and five touchdowns on 82 carries and had 28 receptions for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Also returned 11 kickoffs for 277 yards and a touchdown.
* Jordan Reed, Clearview (Lorain), 6-1, 165 (2020)Third team
OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection had 20 tackles and five interceptions (returned two for touchdowns).
* Brice Graham, Jackson, 6-1, 193 (2020)HM
OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection was first team All-Southeast District.

Taft two-way threat Demarco Bradley had 78 tackles, seven interceptions and nine touchdowns last season.
Photo by Michael Noyes