Oregon 6A POY Favorites (Offense & Defense)

As with most state player of the year accolades, a lot will have to do with the team’s success, and how deep they go in the playoffs. That said as a few of the athletes referenced here earned conference POY honors last season which also carries weight. With Oregon’s season up in the air we don’t know exactly which athletes will play elsewhere or forgo their senior season and early enroll. There are a host of variables yet to be determined, but if the season was to start today this is who I would have as my projected player of the year finalists. OFFENSE [player_tooltip player_id="28717" first="Gavin" last="Haines"] 6-0 200 RB 21’ West Linn HS- We have talked about Haines a lot over the last few months and rightfully so. His 2000+ yards and 24 TDs, along with his teams projected #1 ranking make him a prime candidate for POY honors state wide. For Gavin it will come down to remaining healthy while rarely leaving the field as he is a standout on defense as well. Regardless he is the real deal. [player_tooltip player_id="28697" first="Damir" last="Collins"] 5-9 190 RB 21’ Jefferson HS- Damir is a great kid and an exceptional athlete. The problem comes with the PIL as the conference is barely functional with the competition lacking to say the least. Expect Collins to shatter rushing records and have another unreal season. If he can propel Jeff to a few playoff wins against legit competition he will be in the conversation. [player_tooltip player_id="28700" first="Drew" last="Carter"] 6-3 190 QB 21’ Tigard HS- Tigard loses a host of kids on both sides of the football, from a team that was undefeated and ranked #1 all year long, before being upset in the playoffs. Carter will be a 4 year starter and the reason the Tigers make a run if they do. As most know Drew is considered one of the best multi-sport athletes ever to play in Oregon. [player_tooltip player_id="28837" first="Brian" last="Mannion"] 6-2 180 QB 22’ Mountainside HS- Mannion threw for 14 TDs/2 INT’s in limited time, starting the last five games of the season. He looked as polished as any Sophomore to come through the state in some time. Some of what he possesses can’t be taught. Expect him to lead a very talented and deep Mavericks team who could be ranked as high as #2 in Oregon to start the season. Nathan Denney 5-10 195 RB 21’ Bend HS- Give Yale a lot of credit as they got a steal. The returning conference POY went off last season rushing for 2275 yards and 26 TDs. He followed that up with a national 7v7 tournament that garnered him nationwide recognition. Definitely a state POY favorite if he goes back to back within the conference. DEFENSE [player_tooltip player_id="28712" first="Bryan" last="Cuthbertson"] 6-0 250 LB 21’ Sherwood HS- The returning Pacific conference POY represents as the hardest hitter in the state. He also put up some ridiculous numbers finishing with 158 tackles (74 solo) in 2019. As of right now Cuthbertson would be my favorite to win state POY honors on the defensive side of the ball. The Bowmen should dominate their league and get a nice playoff seed, potentially helping them make a deep run in the 6A bracket. [player_tooltip player_id="28716" first="Dyami" last="Rios"] 6-2 220 LB 21’ McNary HS- Watch Dyami’s film and see you a kid playing with his hair on fire. He has the potential of being one of the conference’s all time leading tacklers before he is done. Most of the time a state POY will come from a team that makes a deep playoff run, and the Celtics lose a lot from last season, so Rios will need to step up big. [player_tooltip player_id="28711" first="Carter" last="Neuman"] 6-4 225 DE/OLB 21’ Sheldon HS- Neuman is a kid with an incredibly high ceiling who just continues to get better. He earned 1st team all SWC honors last season, and should require a consistent double team for an Irish group that will once again be in the mix if we are talking about the state’s best. [player_tooltip player_id="28705" first="Trent" last="Walker"] 6-3 190 DB/ATH 21’ Beaverton HS- The Beavers lose a deep senior group and Walker will be called upon to lead and then some. Trent returns as the #1 ranked WR/DB in Oregon for the 2021 class, but may have to play quarterback for his team, which is more of a sacrifice then anything. Look for him to have an exceptional year defensively and potentially lead the state in INTs. [player_tooltip player_id="28772" first="Cole" last="Peters"] 5-9 180 WLB 21’ West Linn HS- The state’s leading tackler over the last two seasons (245), isn’t the prototypical recruit from a collegiate standpoint playing the LB position. That said as he is as valuable to his team as any athlete state wide. Peters earned 1st team all TRL honors last season and plays with no fear. With the Lions projected success he will be a conference and state player of the year candidate.