Highlighting the 2019 Preseason All-Metro Team (DEFENSE)

**You can find my recap on the offense of the All-Metro team <a style="color: #808080" href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2019/08/highlighting-the-2019-preseason-all-metro-team-offense/">here</a>.   DEFFENSE: Defensive Line: <ul> <li>Danny Striggow, Orono, Senior </li> <li>Pierce Oppong, Jefferson, Senior </li> <li>Randy Keumogne, Tartan, Senior </li> <li>Blake Whaley, Prior Lake, Senior </li> </ul> Many of the great defensive linemen in the state play outside of the metro, players like Yahya Black, and Aaron Witt are both unfortunately ineligible for this list. But there is no doubt that the players that did make the list are well deserving. All four excluding Blake Whaley have already committed to where they will be playing college football in 2020. Danny Striggow is committed to the University of Minnesota, Pierce Oppong is committed to Northern Illinois, and Randy Keumogne is headed to South Dakota State. Whaley does hold interest from Iowa State, Minnesota, and Missouri just to name a few. [caption id="attachment_10904" align="alignright" width="185"] Pictured above: Danny Striggow[/caption] Striggow stands at 6'4" 220 pounds, and is one of the most talented players in the state of Minnesota. He also is a great wrestler for Orono is the spring. Danny played all over the field as a junior, sometimes as a standup outside linebacker, and he would often put his hand in the dirt and play as a traditional defensive end. In 2018 he finished with 57 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks, asserting himself as one of the best players in the state. Next Blake Whaley is a prototypical high school defensive end, listed at 6'3" 247 pounds. He played all over the defensive line, from the interior as a three technique and the outside as a defensive end. He put together some of the best film in the state last season. [caption id="attachment_10905" align="alignleft" width="145"] Pictured above: Pierce Oppong[/caption] Lastly Pierce Oppong is one of the most under-appreciated players in the state. As well as being a great defensive lineman Oppong played tight end last season, reeling in two catches for 22 yards. At his primary position of defensive end, he had nearly 60 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and seven sacks. All four players are in line for monster senior seasons in 2019.       Snubs: <ul> <li>Joe Demro, Senior, Wayzata</li> <li>Will Davis, Senior, Edina</li> </ul>   Linebackers: <ul> <li>Kaden Johnson, SMB, Senior </li> <li>Cody Lindenberg, Anoka, Senior </li> <li>Justice Sullivan, Eden Prairie, Junior </li> <li>Loshiaka Roques, Wayzata, Senior </li> </ul>   [caption id="attachment_10906" align="alignleft" width="262"] Pictured above: Kaden Johnson[/caption] The linebackers are headlined by Kaden Johnson and Cody Lindenberg, being two of the most coveted recruits in the state. Johnson is rated as a four star recruit on multiple platforms, while holding offers from top schools all around the country. And Lindenberg is one of the Gophers top recruits from the 2020 class. Justice Sullivan and Loshiaka Roques are no slouches either, making the linebacker position one of the most talented in the state. I wrote about Kaden Johnson more in my 2019 Mr. Football preview, where you can read <a style="color: #808080" href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2019/05/mr-football-watchlist-2019/">here</a>. Lindenberg showed his versatility for Anoka last season, putting up 18 carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns as well as a catch for 22 yards. He obviously showcased his dominance on the defensive side of the ball while making plays all over the field. [caption id="attachment_10908" align="alignright" width="145"] Pictured above: Justice Sullivan[/caption] Next Justice Sullivan is one of the most talented juniors in the state. He currently holds offers from Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota as well as having interest from other top schools across the country. If Sullivan puts together a great junior year he has an argument to be the number one senior in Minnesota next season. Lastly Loshiaka Roques is committed to North Dakota State, which he chose over many of the top midwest FCS schools. Roques has some of the best "Junior Season" film in the state. He was flying all over the field making plays left and right, showing NDSU that he is all you could want in a linebacker. Snubs: <ul> <li>Tony Anger, Senior, Apple Valley</li> <li>Detavius Frierson, Senior, Park Center</li> <li>Ben Reppenhagen, Senior, St. Thomas Academy</li> </ul>   Defensive Backs: <ul> <li>A.J. Scaife, Roseville, Senior </li> <li>Trevon Howard, SMB, Sophomore </li> <li>Steven Arell, Osseo, Senior</li> </ul>   [caption id="attachment_10909" align="alignleft" width="228"] Pictured above: Trevon Howard[/caption] The defensive back group is headlined by the only sophomore on the preseason All-Metro team Trevon Howard, making that four total players from SMB. Trevon already holds offers from Iowa State and Minnesota, with interest from Michigan and Michigan State. Howard already being one of the top d-backs in the state makes me salivate at the potential he may have down the road. A.J Scaife is one of the most athletic players in the entire state on the football field, while being a three-sport athlete playing basketball and running track in the spring. Heading into his second year of varsity football he currently holds an offer from the University of North Dakota. I think Scaife can be one of the most improved players in the state in 2019 while one of the best ball hawking safeties in Minnesota. Lastly Arell is on of the biggest "off-the-radar" players in the state, not having a D1 offer. He does have offers from Northern State and Mankato State just to name a few at the division two level. His ball hawking style at the safety position led to two interceptions last season for Osseo. Arrell is very well deserving of his spot on this years All-Metro team, and I expect him to show why this season. Snubs: <ul> <li>Sam Robertson, Senior, Wayzata</li> <li>Elijah Ofori, Senior, Shakopee</li> </ul>