FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Carvan Thompson, Clairton
Photo by Richard Rector
Carvan Thompson, DL, 5-10, 215, Clairton (Pa.), SeniorAn
all-South Xtra selection and a Class A all-state choice, Thompson
started 64 straight games for Clairton and helped lead the team to three
straight state championships.
Marvin Gross, DL, 6-4, 215, Dunbar (Md.)The
rangy defensive end tallied an incredible 31 sacks, earning small
school all-state honors, as well as a place on the Baltimore Sun
All-Metro team.
Ronnie Feist, DL, 6-1, 230, West St. John (La.), SeniorThe LSU commit earned Louisiana Class 1A state Defensive Player of the Year honors while making 65 tackles, 44 of them for loss.
Rod Crayton, DL, 6-1, 250, Dadeville (Ala.), JuniorA
Class 4A all-state pick and the Opelika Auburn News Defensive Player of
the Year, Crayton registered 162 tackles, 10 sacks and 40 quarterback
hurries.
Christian Hauber, LB, 6-1, 218, Kirtland (Ohio), SeniorAir
Force-bound Hauber led Kirtland to the Division V state title and was
named the State Player of the Year by JJ Huddle. He also found a spot on
the JJ Huddle All-State Second Team and made the Plain Dealer first
team after making 92 tackles with four sacks during the regular season.
Jaylon Smith, LB, 6-4, 215, Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Junior
Alex Kirby, Calhoun
Photo by Cecil Copeland
Smith earned
Class 2A all-state honors and made the Fort Wayne Gazette All-Area team
on defense after making 55 tackles, 20 for loss, with nine sacks during
his team's run to the state championship.
Alex Kirby, LB, 6-0, 210, Calhoun (Ga.), SeniorThe
Georgia AA state Defensive Player of the Year, Kirby had 184 tackles on
the season, including 98 solo tackles. He also had 12 tackles for loss
and four fumble recoveries. He will play at Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Dillon Lee, LB, 6-4, 220, Buford (Ga.), SeniorNamed
to the Georgia Class AA all-state team and an All-Gwinnett County
selection after helping Buford reach the AA state championship game.
Duke Riley, LB, 6-1, 210, Curtis (River Ridge, La.), JuniorIn
helping Curtis win the Class 2A state championship in Louisiana, Riley
earned state Defensive Player of the Year honors while making 117
tackles with one sack, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Xavier Grindle, DB, 5-11, 190, East Marion (Miss.), Senior
Griffin Piatt, Campolindo (7)
Photo by Ernie Abrea
Grindle earned
all-state honors by the Clarion Ledger and was the Class 2A Player of
the Year. He had 30 tackles and seven interceptions on defense and ran
for 2,103 yards and 18 touchdowns on offense to help East Marion reach
the state finals.
Griffin Piatt, DB, 6-3, 180, Campolindo (Moraga, Calif.), SeniorCampolindo
reached the California Division III state bowl game thanks in large
part to the play of Piatt, who had a stellar season on both sides of the
ball. He earned All-Area honors by the Contra Costa Times on both
offense and defense and was a San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro pick at
defensive back after intercepting 12 passes.
Ardarius Stewart, 6-1, 185, Fultondale (Ala.), JuniorBesides
rushing for 2,188 yards on 199 carries with 30 touchdowns and throwing
for 1,419 yards and 20 scores, Stewart also had 48 tackles and three
interceptions on defense while making the Alabama Sports Writers
Association Super 12 and earning the Birmingham News North/East Player
of the Year honor.
Demetrious Cox, DB, 6-1, 192, Jeannette (Pa.), SeniorDrawing
comparisons to former Jayhawk Terrelle Pryor, Cox highlighted the East
Xtra Fabulous 22 All-Stars by the Post-Gazette. He anchored the
Jeannette defense and ran for 1,180 yards on offense.
Harrison Butker, P, 6-4, 175, Westminster (Atlanta), JuniorButker,
a Class AA all-state pick, connected on 16 of 17 field goals, include
nine that were longer than 41 yards. His only miss was a 59-yard
attempt.