Group 3 Defensive First-Team Selections

The Group 3 defense is up next up as we take a look at the defensive First-Team selections. <strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id="27977" first="Jihaad" last="Campbell"] (2022) | Timber Creek</strong> Campbell is a two-way player for Timber Creek who dominated on both sides during his junior year. He transferred to IMG but during his final season at Timber Creek, Campbell logged nine sacks and two forced fumbles to go with 52 tackles. <strong>DL: AJ Pena (2021) | Somerville</strong> Pena was a complete game-changer this season for Somerville. He logged 12 sacks and 69 tackles along the defensive line. His size and speed made him a dominant option. <strong>DL: Von Factor (2021) | Rumson-Fair Haven</strong> Factor was one of the best tacklers in the state. He finished with 71 total tackles and logged 10 or more in four games for Rumson this past season. <strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id="28023" first="Marcus" last="Johnson"] (2022) | Woodrow Wilson</strong> Johnson was a dynamic offensive player in the backfield and he was able to use his speed and instincts on the defensive side as well. Heading into his final season, Johnson will be an intriguing prospect. <strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="27897" first="Corey" last="Walker"] (2021) | West Side</strong> Walker was apart of an elite defense for West Side. He was one of the leaders from the linebacker position and kept things running smoothly. <strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="27950" first="Chris" last="Bell"] (2021) | West Essex</strong> Bell set the tone for his season with 13 tackles in the season opener against Brearley. This continued throughout the course of his final season for West Essex. <strong>LB: Austin Groce (2021) | Summit</strong> Groce will play lacrosse for Army for the next four years but he logged one more dominant defensive season at Summit. He is an incredible athlete and has a bright future ahead of him. <strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="28006" first="Charlie" last="Sasso"] (2022) | Wall</strong> Sasso was named the Defensive Player of the Year by NJ.com. He has been a force since entering Wall. As a junior, Sasso totaled 97 tackles in seven games. This is nearly 14 per game. Sasso led the state’s best defense of 2020. <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="27929" first="Casey" last="Larkin"] (2021) | Wall</strong> Larkin was another reason that Wall pitched four shutouts in seven games this season. Doubling as an elite running back, Larkin had great size in the secondary and could break on a ball better than anyone in the state. <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="27895" first="Ryan" last="Ruane"] (2021) | Rumson-Fair Haven</strong> Ruane is another player who doubled time in the backfield. The Bulldogs had another successful season and Ruane was one of the reasons. He finished with 54 tackles as a senior. <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="27869" first="Shaquon" last="Loyal"] (2021) | West Side</strong> Loyal kept the defense under control from the backfield. The Rutgers commit is going to be an impact playmaker eventually at the next level. <strong>UTIL: [player_tooltip player_id="27872" first="Jalen" last="Hoyle"] (2021) | Dwight-Morrow</strong> Hoyle is a Virginia Tech commit and for good reason. His closing speed and instincts are above the norm. Hoyle has a way of knowing where receivers are going to be before they get there. <strong>UTIL: [player_tooltip player_id="27948" first="Logan" last="Peters"] (2021) | Wall</strong> Peters led the offense under center and was one of the key defensive players for Wall. The Crimson Knights have three players on this list and that shows how truly dominant the team was. <strong>P: Zach Coluccio (2021) | Timber Creek</strong> Timber Creek is one of the best programs in the state at umping out talent. This includes Coluccio, who was one of the most versatile players on the team.