5A Preseason All-State Team: Defense

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> Defenses are improving in 5A, and the top end talent this year is ridiculous! Check out the names that made our 2021 preseason all-state team! <strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="106310" first="Tabias" last="Hinton"] | Hattiesburg As a sophomore, Hinton led 5A in sacks with 18.5. He has great length, speed off the edge, and power as a pass rusher. Truly a complete player on the defensive line and one of the best in all of Mississippi. Not sure if there are many OL in 5A that can block this guy all night. Lists offers from Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and Michigan among others. [player_tooltip player_id="104437" first="Donterry" last="Russell"] | Provine The Mississippi State commit didn’t get to play last season due to COVID-19, but will be ready to make his name known again as a senior. Russell has the prototypical body type to grow into a monster EDGE player. Watch for him to bounce back after a year off and build on top of his sophomore success. [player_tooltip player_id="104438" first="DJ" last="Burgess"] | Lafayette The Southern Miss commit finished with the second most sacks in 5A last season. Burgess is a big bodied lineman who runs in space well and bends exceptionally well. He is a force against the run and has some natural power and strength to him. Will be one of the premier pass rushers in 5A who will look for early playing time at Southern Miss. [player_tooltip player_id="104442" first="Maxton" last="Woodward"] | Neshoba Central A dominant true nose tackle, Woodward has been a bit of a sleeper prospect over the years. He has a big body that is hard for opposing teams to move around combined with tremendous upper body strength. Woodward is dominant against the run and can beat double teams with ease. Lists offers from Southern Miss, Arkansas State, and many local JuCos. <strong>LINEBACKERS</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="104460" first="Mario" last="Wilbourn"] | Lafayette The Southern Miss commit is another key member of the Lafayette defense and one the best tacklers in all of 5A. Wilbourn has great instincts and knows how to find the football fast. He has the athleticism to cover tight ends and slot receivers, but also has the strength to cause some big collisions. Highly productive player and one of the best backers in Mississippi. [player_tooltip player_id="104462" first="Jaharon" last="Griffin"] | Neshoba Central Last season, Griffin had over 20.5 tackles for loss. He is one of the fastest linebackers in 5A and knows how to use his speed to his advantage. This guy plays with a hot motor and is in on every single tackle made during a game. Lists offers from Hinds, Co-Lin, and Coahoma among others. [player_tooltip player_id="104463" first="Keon" last="Cunningham"] | West Point Cunningham is a downhill thumper who racked up over 120 tackles last season at West Point. The senior backer has been one of the best in 5A for a while now and will look to cap off an impressive high school career this year. The vocal leader of the West Point defense will be remembered as one of the greats. Lists offers from Texas Southern and many local JuCos. [player_tooltip player_id="104477" first="Kelbee" last="Holmes"] | Neshoba Central Another Neshoba Central product, Holmes pairs up well with Griffin to make one of the best linebacking groups in Mississippi. Holmes has a similar skill set but is more of a thumper when he tackles. He shows good instincts and knows how to diagnose plays quickly. Lists offers from many local JuCos. <strong>DEFENSIVE BACKS</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="104526" first="Khamauri" last="Rogers"] | Holmes County Central Miami commit [player_tooltip player_id="104526" first="Khamauri" last="Rogers"] has been no stranger to lists like these before. The nationally recruited defensive back has been known for a while now and has produced at a high level since he stepped into high school. Rogers has great length, speed, and transition in his hips. Don’t think there’s a wideout in Mississippi that could routinely beat him. <strong>Ricky Fletcher </strong>| Holmes County Central The South Alabama commit plays well alongside Rogers, combining for the best secondary in 5A. Fletcher is a long defensive back with great ball skills, but who is also not afraid to come up and make a big tackle. He is a physical defensive back who can play press man or zone coverage efficiently. <strong>Michael Mosley</strong> | Columbus One of the biggest sleepers in the entire state, Michael Mosley checks in on his first all state list. This guy is an electric playmaker who is used all over the field including corner. He has a smooth transition and special speed in the open field. Mosley is a dynamic return man as well when the ball is kicked his way. Lists no offers, but that should change soon. <strong>Trikyus Woodall</strong> | Lafayette With 3 INTs and 3 forced fumbles last season, Woodall has a way of causing problems for offenses. Woodall has impressive instincts and knows how to read quarterbacks well. He can easily bait them into mistakes, and if a receiver catches a ball, they better hold on. Really talented defensive back who can play a variety of positions.