2020 All-Great Lakes Region Football Team: Defense

Red Grange, Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Dan Marino, Joe Montana and Charles Woodson. The Great Lakes region has cultivated a bumper crop of prep talent that's gone on to rank among the greatest players in football history and here's a look at the next batch – the 2020 MaxPreps All-Great Lakes Region Football Team.

The all-star squad is made up of players from Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Illinois and New York moved football to the spring. ALL-GREAT LAKES REGION FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Deven Eastern, Shakopee (Minn.), 6-6, 280, sr.
Status: Signed with Minnesota
Top 25 strongside defensive end prospect and state’s No. 4 overall prospect was named first team AP All-Minnesota.

DL: Cooper Jones, Valparaiso (Ind.), 6-6, 245, sr.
Status: Signed with Indiana
Top 30 strongside defensive end prospect nationally has 190 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss, 17.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks over the last three seasons. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020 and IFCA Mr. Football position winner.

DL: Damon Payne, Belleville (Mich.), 6-3.5, 297, sr.
Status: Signed with Alabama
Five-star recruit is the No. 1 overall prospect in Michigan and the nation’s No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 17 overall prospect. Holds 27 offers including Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Oregon and USC. Named first team MHSFCA and AP Division 1-2 all-state this season.

DL: Ayo Adebogun, Homestead (Mequon, Wis.), 6-3, 205, sr.
Status: Signed with Wisconsin
Top 40 weakside defensive end prospect nationally committed to the Badgers in December. Unanimous first team AP all-state selection.

LB: Reid Carrico, Ironton (Ohio), 6-3, 225, sr.
Status: Signed with Ohio State
Ohio Mr. Football runner-up pulled off rare double-double by earning OPSWA Southeast District D-V offensive and defensive player of the year honors. Led Tigers to second straight state final.

LB: Gabe Powers, Marysville (Ohio), 6-4, 215, jr.
Status: Committed to Ohio State
Ohio State recruit and the state’s top-ranked junior prospect tabbed OPSWA Central District Division I defensive player of the year after registering 61 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception in eight games. Also rushed for 594 yards and six touchdowns. First team OPSWA all-state.

LB: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), 6-1, 220, sr.
Status: Signed with Clemson
Nation’s No. 2 inside linebacker prospect and state’s No. 3 overall prospect helped Hawks claim third straight PIAA Class 6A state title. Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A all-state.

LB: Jamari Buddin, Belleville (Mich.), 6-2, 215, sr.
Status: Signed with Penn State
State’s No. 11 overall prospect and 25th ranked outside linebacker prospect nationally. Named first team MHSFCA and AP Divisions 1-2 D-1 all-state this season (55 tackles and 10 tackles-for-loss). Had 61 tackles, 29 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks last season.

DB: Devonta Smith, La Salle (Cincinnati), 6-0, 180, sr.
Status: Signed with Alabama
GCL All Purpose POY and First Team OPSWA D-II All-Ohio selection had 50 tackles and two interceptions. Also played receiver and returned kicks.

DB: Donovan McMillon, Peters Township (McMurray, Pa.), 6-2, 193, sr.
Status: Signed with Florida
The future Gator impacts the game at a high level on all three phases. Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A all-state.
DB: Derrick Davis Jr., Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.), 6-1, 194, sr.
Status: Signed with LSU
Makes big-time plays no matter where he's lined up. One of the most versatile players in high school football. Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A all-state (at running back).

DB: Hunter Wohler, Muskego (Wis.), 6-2, 205, sr.
Status: Signed with Wisconsin
Selected an AP first-team all-state defensive back for the third consecutive year and named Wisconsin player of the year for the second consecutive time.

P: Tommy Doman, St. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.), 6-3, 170, sr.
Status: Signed with Michigan

DL: Caden Curry, Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.), 6-5, 250, jr.
Status: Uncommitted
Indiana’s No. 1 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 10 defensive tackle prospect nationally. Helped Trojans win 6A state title with 60 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks this season. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020.

DL: Rodney McGraw, Elkhart (Ind.), 6-5, 223, sr.
Status: Signed with Penn State
Top 30 weakside defensive end prospect nationally has over 80 tackles, 30 tackles-for loss and 15 sacks the last two years. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020.

DL: Rayshaun Benny, Oak Park (Mich.), 6-5, 275, sr.
Status: Committed to Michigan State
Michigan’s No. 6 overall prospect and the nation’s No. 16 defensive line prospect. Named first team AP Divisions 1-2 All-Michigan after making four sacks, 29 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in four games.

DL: Darryl Peterson, Archbishop Hoban (Akron), 6-3, 242, sr.
Status: Signed with Wisconsin
Top 20 overall Ohio prospect holds offers from Alabama, Michigan and West Virginia among others. Had 44 tackles, 17.5 sacks and three forced fumbles this season as the Knights won their fifth state title in six years. First team OPSWA D-III All-Ohio.

LB: Matthew Devine, St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 6-0, 220, sr.
Status: Signed with Air Force
GCL South Linebacker of the Year and First Team OPSWA D-I All-Southwest District. Had 109 total tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks, a blocked field goal and returned his lone interception for a touchdown.

LB: Bobby Babcock, Hobart (Ind.), 5-11, 215, sr.
Status: Committed to Illinois State
Notched 68 tackles, 36 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and seven forced fumbles as a senior. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020 and IFCA Mr. Football position winner.

LB: Kobe King, Cass Tech (Detroit), 6-1, 223, sr.
Status: Signed with Penn State
Top 20 inside linebacker prospect nationally has 95 tackles and 12 tackles-for-loss on undefeated (9-0) team. Has rushed for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns. Named first team AP Divisions 1-2 All-Michigan. Holds 31 offers.

LB: Joshua Burnham, Traverse City Central (Mich.), 6-3, 205, jr.
Status: Uncommitted
Michigan’s No. 2 overall junior prospect and the nation’s No. 7 outside linebacker prospect is a two-time AP Divisions 1-2 All-Michigan selection. Holds 13 offers including Alabama, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Michigan State. Doubles as the team’s quarterback where he threw for 1,145 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 833 yards 13 scores.

DB: Theran Johnson, North Central (Indianapolis), 6-0, 170, sr.
Status: Signed with Northwestern
Makes impact in all facets. Had touchdowns receiving, rushing and on returns (kickoff and punt) as a senior. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020 and IFCA Mr. Football position winner.

DB: Kalen King, Cass Tech (Detroit), 5-11, 170, sr.
Status: Signed with Penn State
State’s No. 8 overall prospect was named first team MHSFCA and AP Divisions 1-2 all-state after making four interceptions and scoring 10 touchdowns. Holds 32 offers, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, West Virginia, Nebraska and Iowa.

DB: William Johnson, Grosse Pointe South (Mich.), 6-3, 190, jr.
Status: Uncommitted
Top 10 junior prospect nationally is the country’s No. 4 cornerback prospect and Michigan’s No. 1 overall. Holds 27 offers, including Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Florida, Texas A&M, LSU, Penn State, USC and Notre Dame. Named first team AP Divisions 1-2 All-Michigan.

P: Brady Rose, Mona Shores (Norton Shores, Mich.), 5-8, 170, sr.
Status: Committed to Ferris State

DL: Hammond Russell, Dublin Coffman (Ohio), 6-4, 240, sr.
Status: Signed with West Virginia
First team OPSWA D-I All-Ohio. Made 52 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.

DL: Michael Hall Jr., Streetsboro (Ohio), 6-3, 300, sr.
Status: Signed with Ohio State
OPSWA D-III Ohio co-Defensive Player of the Year and the Metro Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Had 41 tackles, 15 quarterback pressures, 12 tackles-for-loss and three sacks.

DL: Antoine Campbell, Copley (Ohio), 6-3, 240, sr.
Status: Signed with UCLA
OPSWA D-III Ohio co-Defensive Player of the Year had 83 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 18 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 10 games.

DL: Kyran Montgomery, Pike (Indianapolis), 6-4, 251, sr.
Status: Signed with Missouri
Wraps career with 210 tackles, 33.5 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks. Holds 23 offers, including Penn State, Indiana, Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida State and West Virginia. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020.

LB: Hayden Nelson, Brookfield Central (Wis.), 6-4, 248, sr.
Status: Committed to UCLA
Top 70 weakside defensive end prospect nationally. Vertical is an impressive 30.4 inches. Holds 16 offers, including Indiana, Iowa State, Navy, North Dakota State, Wyoming and Harvard. First team AP all-state.

LB: Luke Marsh, Western Boone (Thorntown, Ind.), 5-8, 180, sr.
Status: Uncommitted
Indiana's leading tackler (184 tackles and 23.5 tackles-for-loss) helped Stars claim third straight IHSAA Class 2A title. Finishes with 371 career tackles, 52.5 tackles-for-loss, seven fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020.

LB: Jake Ratzlaff, Rosemount (Minn.), 6-2, 220, sr.
Status: Signed with Wisconsin
Top 40 outside linebacker prospect and the state’s No. 6 overall prospect originally committed to Minnesota as a freshman for ice hockey. First team AP All-Minnesota. Led team in tackles, interceptions, blocked kicks and defensive touchdowns.

LB: Harrison Unger, Davison (Mich.), 6-3, 230, sr.
Status: Signed with Air Force
First team MHSFCA and AP Divisions 1-2 all-state. Anchor of a defense that has held seven of nine opponents to eight points or less.

DB: Keenan Nelson Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), 6-1, 200, jr.
Status: Uncommitted
Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A all-state selection is the country’s No. 10 cornerback and state’s No. 2 overall prospect for 2022.

DB: CJ Hicks, Archbishop Alter (Kettering, Ohio), 6-4, 214, jr.
Status: Committed to Ohio State
Three-year starter had 61 tackles, 12, tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and an interception (returned for touchdown). OPSWA D-III Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-state.

DB: Daylan Carnell, Ben Davis (Indianapolis), 6-1.5, 195, sr.
Status: Signed with Missouri
Top 10 overall Indiana prospect has 72 tackles and eight interceptions the last two seasons. IFCA Top 50 all-state 2020.

DB: Jyaire Brown, Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio), 5-11, 165, jr.
Status: Committed to Ohio State
First team OPSWA Division I All-Ohio. Holds 23 offers, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Penn State and Texas.

P: Matthew Dapore, Springboro (Ohio), 5-11, 165, sr.
Status: Uncommitted
Two-time first team OPSWA D-I All-Southwest District selection excels at punting and kicking. Averaged 39.6 yards per punt and was 35-of-of 35 on PATs this year with 32 touchbacks. Averaged 37.7 yards per punt and made 48-of-50 PATs and 10-of-17 field goals (47 longest) as a junior. Holds offers from Nebraska, Arizona, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Navy and Penn.