Compiled By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
2006 MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Riley Dodge, Southlake Carroll, Texas
2006 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year
Chad DeGrenier, Cactus Shadows, Ariz.
2006 MaxPreps All-American Defense
First Team Defense
DL Marvin Austin
6-2/300/Senior
Ballou (Washington, D.C.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Austin showed why he is one of the nation's most highly sought-after recruits in 2006, recording 113 tackles and 15 sacks. The Washington, D.C., defensive tackle helped Ballou go from 4-7 in 2005 to 9-3 this season.
DL John Brown
6-3/290/Senior
Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Brown was the focal point of a Dreadnaught defense that held 10 of 15 opponents to seven points or less. The 6-3, 290-pounder helped Lakeland win Florida's 5A title for the third-straight year and extend its win streak to 45 games by racking up 97 tackles and 11.5 sacks.
DL Carlos Dunlap
6-7/252/Senior
Fort Dorchester (North Charleston, S.C.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Dunlap is a freakishly-talented defensive end, recording 114 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks. Here comes the freakish part; at 6-7, 252 pounds, Dunlap served as the Patriots' kick returner, fielding 10 this season for 268 yards and a touchdown.
DL Everson Griffen
6-4/253/Senior
Agua Fria (Avondale, Ariz.)
Next Stop: USC
Griffen helped Agua Fria to a 12-1 record with 77 tackles and 16 sacks, but it's his offensive exploits that illustrate just how special he is. At running back, Griffen rumbled for 1,251 yards and 20 touchdowns, and hauled in six passes for 136 yards and two more scores.
LB Chris Galippo
6-2/235/Senior
Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Next Stop: USC
Widely regarded as the nation's top linebacker, Galippo will vie for California Player of the Year honors. In addition to his duties on defense, Galippo was Servite's crunch-time running back and also played tight end.
LB Mark Martin
6-1/225/Senior
Milwaukee Riverside (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Martin spearheaded a remarkable turnaround at Milwaukee Riverside, helping the Tigers improve from 4-6 in 2005, to 11-2 in 2006. Described as a "high school version of Ray Lewis" by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Martin earned Wisconsin Player of the Year honors from the same publication after posting 113 tackles, including 15 behind the line of scrimmage.
LB Chris Strong
6-3/260/Senior
South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)
Next Stop: Mississippi
It doesn't get much better than Strong's four-year run at South Panola. The Tigers won four state titles, 60-straight games, and the jumbo linebacker earned Mr. Football honors as a junior and senior. This season, Strong recorded 72 tackles, five sacks, and recovered two fumbles.
DB Eric Berry
6-1/195/Senior
Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.)
Next Stop: Tennessee
Berry was probably more visible for Creekside at the quarterback position, where he ran for 1,544 yards and threw for 1,008 this year, but that's only because he was avoided at all costs when on defense. Playing safety, Berry still recorded 60 tackles and three interceptions.
DB Austin Box
6-3/215/Senior
Enid (Enid, Okla.)
Next Stop: Oklahoma
Box earned Oklahoma Defensive Player of the Year honors after compiling 71 tackles and three interceptions. Like Berry, the Oklahoma commitment was also a standout quarterback, passing and rushing for 3,024 yards and 28 touchdowns.
DB Ronald Johnson
6-0/180/Senior
Muskegon (Muskegon, Mich.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Johnson is a legitimate game-changer, and illustrated that ability in Muskegon's state championship game victory over De La Salle Collegiate. Johnson opened the game with a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, added a 47-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, and made a game-saving tackle and forced fumble inside Muskegon's own 10-yard line in the final minute of the 32-30 win.
DB Chad Jones
6-3/215/Senior
Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Jones, a New Orleans native who came to Southern Lab from St. Augustine after Hurricane Katrina, earned Louisiana 1A Outstanding Defensive Player honors after making over 100 tackles and picking off 12 passes - returning four to the end zone.
Second Team Defense
DL Jonathan English
6-1/310/Senior
John Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Next Stop: Undecided
English played on the defensive line, but put up linebacker-type numbers with 117 tackles, 20 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries. The Patriot defense was among Louisiana's best, allowing just 6.2 points per game.
DL Drake Nevis
6-2/290/Senior
Ehret (Marrero, La.)
Next Stop: LSU
One of Louisiana's top prospects regardless of position, Nevis was a nightmare for opposing teams to deal with in 2006, making 123 tackles and 18 sacks. Nevis was the District 5-5A Defensive Player of the Year.
DL Joey Nunez
6-2/230/Senior
San Benito (San Benito, Texas)
Next Stop: Undecided
Division I-A colleges aren't beating the door down for Nunez, but he has been arguably the state's most disruptive defensive player over the past two seasons. As a senior, Nunez recorded 128 tackles and 15 sacks, recovered a pair of fumbles (returning one for a touchdown), and blocked a punt. Earned first team 5A All-State honors for the second-straight season.
DL Martez Wilson
6-3/230/Senior
Simeon (Chicago, Ill.)
Next Stop: Illinois
A recent Illinois commitment, Wilson dominated on both sides of the ball as a senior. From his defensive end position, Wilson recorded 145 tackles. As a receiver, the Chicago phenom hauled in14 touchdown passes. According to the Chicago Tribune, Wilson has his sights set on playing both ways for the Illini - as a true freshman.
LB Lyndell Gibson
5-11/230/Junior
Salem (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Next Stop: N/A
Gibson was the Defensive Player of the Year in one of Virginia's most talent-rich regions and will be a prized recruit as a senior. This season, Gibson tallied 108 tackles and 14 sacks as the Sun Devil defense held opponents to just 7.8 points per game.
LB Amara Kamara
6-2/210/Senior
Weequahic (Newark, N.J.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Kamara was named New Jersey's Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Indians to an 11-1 record and the Central Jersey, Group 2 title. Kamara made 193 tackles and was the leader of a unit that held six of its final eight opponents to single-digit scoring totals.
LB Noah Keller
6-1/215/Senior
Kearney (Kearney, Neb.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Nebraska's Defensive Player of the Year, Keller made 211 tackles and led Kearney to the Class A state title. Keller and the Bearcats held eight of 14 opponents to seven points or less.
DB Eugene Clifford
6-2/195/Senior
Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Next Stop: Ohio State
The Cincinnati Enquirer's All-City Player of the Year helped Colerain to a 13-1 record and a No. 12 national ranking by MaxPreps. Clifford was a three-year starter for the Cardinals and a member of the program's 2004 Division I championship team.
DB Jerimy Finch
6-2/210/Senior
Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Next Stop: Michigan
Warren Central's opponents generally tried to avoid Finch, but when they didn't, he made them pay. The future Michigan Wolverine earned Indianapolis Star "Super Team" honors after making 60 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack, and forcing two fumbles.
DB Brandon Green
6-0/175/Junior
Robeson (Chicago, Ill.)
Next Stop: N/A
After an incredible junior season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Green contend for National Player of the Year honors a year from now. There isn't enough space to describe all of the things Green did for Robeson - just click on his name.
DB Jevon Stallworth
5-11/183/Senior
Grant (Sacramento, Calif.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Stallworth was known more as a receiver going into his senior season with the Pacers, but after picking off 10 passes in 2006, that has changed. He still caught a few balls for Grant - 20 for 484 yards and eight touchdowns - but his 41 tackles and 10 interceptions for one of California's best teams could land him in some school's defensive backfield next year. Jevon is the younger brother of current Philadelphia Eagle receiver Donte' Stallworth.
Honorable Mention
DL Joseph Barksdale
6-6/310/Senior
Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Motor City star tallied 59 tackles, five sacks, and an interception.
DL Josh Brent
6-3/300/Senior
Central Catholic (Bloomington, Ill.)
Next Stop: Illinois
Key Stats: Bloomington big man made 90 tackles, eight sacks.
DL Torrey Davis
6-5/290/Senior
Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
Next Stop: Florida
Key Stats: Future Gator helped Hawks hold eight of 13 opponents to single digits.
DL Nick Jenkins
6-3/285/Senior
Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.)
Next Stop: Virginia
Key Stats: Four-year starter at perennial Maryland/D.C. power helped team to 10-2 record with 95 tackles and 11 sacks.
DL D.J. Pirkle
6-1/285/Senior
Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Helped elevate Lincoln-Way East's program during his career, recorded 19 tackles for loss in 2006.
DL Kenny Rowe
6-4/220/Senior
Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: 99 tackles and 17 sacks for a tough Jackrabbit defense.
DL Tanner Shuck
6-0/220/Senior
Jenks (Jenks, Okla.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Big-time disruptor for Oklahoma's 6A champions with 131 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt.
DL Baker Steinkuhler
6-5/275/Junior
Lincoln Southwest (Lincoln, Neb.)
Next Stop: Nebraska
Key Stats: Already committed to Cornhuskers, junior manchild recorded nearly 100 tackles this season.
LB Alan Dock
5-11/215/Junior
Giddings (Giddings, Texas)
Next Stop: N/A
Key Stats: Just a junior and already a two-time All-State selection, 3A Defensive Player of the Year turned in 167 tackles, six forced fumbles, and five sacks.
LB Ben Eaton
5-11/225/Senior
Gilman School (Baltimore, Md.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Baltimore Sun Defensive Player of the Year after recording 123 tackles, including 23 behind the line.
LB Deonta Jordan
5-10/225/Senior
Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Earned AAAA Defensive Player of the Year honors while leading Eagles to 15-0 record and state title.
DB Jordan Pendleton
6-2/200/Senior
Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)
Next Stop: Brigham Young
Key Stats: Utah 5A Player of the Year notched 89 tackles, five interceptions.
All-Purpose Derris Jackson
5-10/205/Senior
Sandia (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Sandia's Swiss Army Knife ran and threw for more than 2,600 yards and 27 touchdowns, but may have been an even better linebacker.
All-Purpose Nick Sukay
6-3/215/Senior
Greensburg Central Catholic (Greensburg, Pa.)
Next Stop: Penn State
Key Stats: Compiled 992 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, picked off nine passes.
All-Purpose Derrick Washington
6-1/205/Senior
Raymore-Peculiar (Peculiar, Mo.)
Next Stop: Missouri
Key Stats: Kansas City Star's Player of the Year after churning out 3,349 all-purpose yards, including 1,953 on the ground.
