FIRST TEAM DEFENSEDerrick Alexander, DL, 6-3, 263, Washington (Tulsa, Okla.), Senior, Louisiana-Monroe
The Tulsa World named Alexander its Player of the Year after he registered 151 tackles and 14 sacks and helped lead Washington to the 5A state championship.
Nate Fakahafua
Photo by Jeremy Allen
In a year dominated by defensive ends around the country, Moala stands out as one of the top interior linemen, registering 131 tackles and 16 sacks en route to Sacramento Bee Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Anthony Johnson, DL, 6-3, 285, O. Perry Walker (New Orleans), Senior, LSU
With 129 tackles and 17 sacks, Johnson, a 4A all-state pick, was named Louisiana's Mr. Football.
Nate Fakahafua, DL, 6-4, 195, Highland (Salt Lake City), Senior, Utah
Utah's 4A player of the year, Fakahafua caught 58 passes for 1,351 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also starred at defensive end where he had 17 sacks.
Lamar Dawson, LB, 6-2, 240, Boyle County (Danville, Ky.), Senior, Undecided
One of the most heavily recruited linebackers in the country, Dawson was in on 158 tackles and also grabbed four interceptions. He helped Boyle County win the 4A state championship and was a Courier-Journal all-state pick for the second straight season. He finished with 502 tackles in his career.
Stephone Anthony, LB, 6-3, 220, Anson (Wadesboro, N.C.), Senior, Undecided
Anthony punished opposing offenses to the tune of 123 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions, helping him gain all-state recognition. He was also selected the Defensive Player of the Year in North Carolina by NCPreps.
Lawrence Thomas, LB, 6-4, 242, Renaissance (Detroit), Senior, Michigan State
With 84 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles, Thomas was an all-state selection as well as a Free-Press Dream Team pick.
Brent Calloway, LB, 6-2, 225, Russellville (Ala.), Senior, Alabama
The 3A State Offensive Player of the Year, Calloway is regarded as the No. 3 recruit in Alabama. He rushed for 2,100 yards and 32 touchdowns and reportedly had 21 sacks on defense.
George Farmer
Photo by Louis Lopez
The Gainesville area Player of the Year, Johnson posted 173 tackles, including 10 for loss, and also rushed for 429 yards and six touchdowns. He was also named the 3A State Defensive Player of the Year by state coaches and sportswriters.
Doran Grant, DB, 5-11, 180, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio), Senior, Ohio State
Grant earned a reputation as one of the country's finest shutdown cornerbacks. He was the Ohio Division 3 Defensive Player of the Year and the Akron Beacon Journal Player of the Year. He recently chose to attend Ohio State next year.
George Farmer, DB, 6-2, 210, Serra (Gardena, Calif.), Senior, USC
Farmer was a do-everything star for Serra, starring at receiver as well as safety, where he picked off three passes. He caught 65 passes for 1,514 yards and 14 touchdowns and led Serra to a 29-1 record the past two seasons.
Davaris Daniels, DB, 6-2, 164, Vernon Hills (Ill.), Senior, Notre Dame
Not only did Daniels accumulate 1,773 all-purpose yards, but he intercepted six passes from the safety position en route to Chicago Sun-Times all-area honors.
Dallas Crawford, DB, 5-11, 189, South Fort Myers (Fla.), Senior, Undecided.
An outstanding quarterback, Crawford is the all-time leading passer in Lee County with 8,451 career yards, including 2,374 yards this year with 26 touchdowns. However, he was the News Press Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row after intercepting nine passes this year with 73 tackles. He has 19 interceptions the past two seasons and has returned five for touchdowns.
Nick Buchanan, P, 6-3, 190, Pacific (Mo.), Senior, Undecided
The All-Metro punter by the Post-Dispatch, Buchanan was also an all-state selection while averaging 45.9 yards on 32 punts this season for the Indians.
