SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Robert Way, DL, 6-2, 200, Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.), Senior, Undecided
The Defensive Player of the Year in Palm County by the Sun Sentinel, Way had 99 tackles and 15 sacks in leading Glades Central to the Class 2A state championship game.
Darrell Warren
Photo by Jamie Dahl
Along with Moala, Lopa and the Pacers terrorized quarterbacks to the tune of 85 sacks as a team with Lopa registering a team-high 21 sacks. He was named the Sacramento Bee All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year along with Moala.
Darrell Warren, DL, 6-2, 225, Alcoa (Tenn.), Senior, Chattanooga
The Class Mr. AA Lineman in Tennessee, Warren helped lead Alcoa to an undefeated season and a seventh straight state championship. He registered 46 tackles with 12 sacks.
Noah Spence, DL, 6-4, 240, Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.), Senior, Undecided
Spence, a three-year starter, once again posted huge numbers for Bishop McDevitt. He finished with 101 tackles and 21 sacks.
Jason Gibson, LB, 6-3, 218, Serra (Gardena, Calif.), Senior, California
The leading tackler for the Cavaliers who went 29-1 over the past two seasons, Gibson had a team-high 93 tackles as a senior with 13.5 sacks. He was named to the Daily Breeze All-Area Team for the second year in a row.
Lateek Townsend, LB, 6-2, 200, Marlboro County (Bennettsville, S.C.), Senior, Undecided
A member of the SCVarsity.com All-State Team, Townsend had 132 tackles on the season and finished with 321 tackles over the past two years.
Luke Hill, LB, 5-10, 180, Poquoson (Va.), Senior, Undecided
Hill led the Islanders to the state championship and was named the Virginia AA defensive player of the year. He had 151 tackles, including 25 for loss, and also had five interceptions, four fumble recoveries and three sacks.
Grady Redding, LB, 5-10, 180, Cocoa (Fla.), Junior, Undecided
The Space Coast Defensive Player of the Year, Redding helped Cocoa win the 2A state championship with a defense that gave up less than six points an outing. Redding had 164 tackles on the year, including 106 unassisted with four sacks.
Tony Steward, LB, 6-2, 225, Menendez (St. Augustine, Fla.), Senior, Undecided
One of the top-ranked linebackers in the country, Steward won the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker. He had 81 tackles, five sacks and an interception this year. He also had three kick returns for scores and is a two-time all-county player.
Grady Redding
Photo by Stuart Browning
The Defensive Player of the Year in the East Bay by the Contra Costa Times, Peters had eight interceptions as a shutdown corner for the undefeated Warriors. He also had 15 touchdowns on offense.
Shaq Thompson, DB, 6-1, 195, Grant (Sacramento, Calif.), Junior, Undecided
A leader on both sides of the ball for one of Northern California's top programs, Thompson was a national player of the year candidate for much of the season, accounting for nearly 2,000 yards rushing in addition to his 54 tackles at the safety position.
Eric Cowan, DB, 5-10, 170, West Rowan (Mt. Ulla, N.C.), Senior, Undecided
The Rowan County Defensive Player of the Year by the Salisbury Post and an Associated Press all-state player, Cowan had 160 tackles and five interceptions on the season and helped West Rowan to another undefeated season and a national-best 46 straight wins.
Damian Swann, DB, 6-0, 175, Grady (Atlanta), Senior, Undecided
The City Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Swann was also a 3A all-state selection and had seven interceptions on defense.
Kris Albarado, P, 6-0, 180, St. Louis (Lake Charles, La.), Senior, USC
Albarado averaged 45 yards per punt with eight pinned inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He earned all-state recognition on the Louisiana 4A all-state team.
MEDIUM SCHOOL DIVISIONS
Alabama 5A; Alaska; Arizona 3A; Arkansas 6A, 5A, 4A; California Division II; Colorado 4A; Connecticut LL, L; Delaware Div. 1; Florida 3A, 2A; Georgia 4A, 3A; Hawaii Div. 2; Idaho 4A; Illinois 6A, 5A; Indiana 3A; Iowa 3A; Kansas 6A, 5A; Kentucky 5A, 4A; Louisiana 4A; Maine A; Maryland 2A; Massachusetts Div. 2; Michigan Div. 3, 4, 5; Minnesota 2A; Mississippi 4A; Missouri Class 4, 3; Montana Class 2A; New Hampshire Class III, IV; New Jersey Public Group 3, 2, Non Public Group B; New Mexico 4A; New York A; North Carolina 3A, 2A; North Dakota A; Ohio Div. 3, 4; Oklahoma 5A, 4A; Oregon 5A; Pennsylvania 3A; Rhode Island Div. 1; South Carolina 3A; South Dakota 2A; Tennessee 4A, 3A, Div. 2; Texas 3A; Utah 4A, 3A; Vermont Div. 1; Virginia 2A; Washington 3A; West Virginia 3A; Wisconsin Div. 2
