6A Preseason All-State Defensive Team

6A is especially full of nationally recognized defensive talent this year, and it is clear to see why when watching these players!   DEFENSIVE LINE [player_tooltip player_id="125462" first="Khurtiss" last="Perry"]- |6’3 267| |Park Crossing| Perry is the prototype of what you need in an elite defensive end. Size, length, speed, flexibility, you name it, he has it. Obviously, as many know, these physical characteristics have not gone unnoticed at all. Perry is regarded as not only one of the best defensive line prospects in the state, but across the country as well. Numbers aren’t everything, but when a player has 65 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks in a division as tough as 6A, it starts to make even more sense to see why he’s received the attention he has. With offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and others, it’ll be a thrill to watch Perry compete and make his college decision this fall! [player_tooltip player_id="125464" first="Trevon" last="McAlpine"]- |6’3 280| |Saraland| After posting an impressive 16 tackles for loss and 7 sacks last year, McAlpine looks to return his senior season with even better numbers. McAlpine is a natural defensive tackle, generating interior pressure that just constantly causes havoc in the backfield. Whether he’s pursuing the quarterback or stuffing the run, McAlpine seems to always make plays for his team. After recently committing to TCU this summer, McAlpine heads into his last season at Saraland before becoming a Horned Frog. Emmanuel Waller- |6’4 240| |Chelsea| Waller snuck up on a lot of offenses last fall, and there will definitely be more attention directed towards him this season due to what he was able to accomplish as a sophomore. Waller has a great build, quick hands, good pass rush technique, and a motor that just seems to always be moving. In the offseason, Waller has picked up offers from both Mississippi State and instate UAB, everyone should expect to see more fly in for the junior this fall! [player_tooltip player_id="125528" first="Kelby" last="Collins"]- |6’5 278| |Gardendale| Collins heads into his junior season at Gardendale after posting 15 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and one forced fumble last fall. What Collins has done just as a sophomore is simply remarkable, and it's due to just his freakish athleticism. At 6’5 and 278, Collins moves quick, has great finesse, can bend well, and just seems to breeze by every offensive lineman in his path. Collins is another example of how the 6A is being put on display nationally, having received offers from near everyone in the country, and that’s not going to change anytime soon!   LINEBACKERS [player_tooltip player_id="125493" first="Taylor" last="Love"]- |6’0 210| |Opelika| Love is a special linebacker that shows versatility in all parts of his game. Whether he's lined up outside or inside, Love is a threat when asked to blitz. He hits the gap hard but can slip around blockers to make some excellent plays against the run. In addition to that, Love has shown to be a sideline to sideline linebacker. With his very impressive speed, Love seems to always be around the ball making plays. Currently, Love has received offers from schools like Ole Miss, Missouri, Louisville, and more! [player_tooltip player_id="125495" first="Jaden" last="Thomas"]- |6’3 225| |Hueytown| Thomas has emerged as one of the defensive leaders of Hueytown, which was on full display last season. Thomas has proven to be a great defender in both the run and passing game. Thomas is a physical force that uses his size and athletic ability to punish the offense's run game. Additionally, he can make great plays in coverage, where he was found locking down opposing receivers. Recently, Thomas committed to Massachusetts, as he looks to finish up his senior year at Hueytown this fall!   DEFENSIVE BACKS [player_tooltip player_id="125430" first="Jarell" last="Stinson"]- |5’10 160| |Opelika| Stinson hasn't only dominated football in the 6A, he has also become unstoppable in track. In May, Stinson won multiple events in the state track championship where he was able to create times like a 10.52 100-meter, a 21.22 200-meter, and a 47.74 400-meter. All in all, Stinson may be one of the fastest players in the entire state. Stinson is incredibly fast, has great hands, excels in coverage, and is going to be a big-time player at the next level. With offers from Florida, Penn State, Auburn, and more, it'll be exciting to watch Stinson play his senior season! [player_tooltip player_id="125525" first="Dallas" last="Young"]- |6’0 180| |Gardendale| Young was featured in our article, "2023 Defensive Backs to Watch this Fall", and the whole state should be excited to watch this guy play. Young is a lockdown man-to-man corner with great size, physicality, speed, and hands. It's clear he's the type of cornerback that just drives offenses crazy with the way he's able to intercept and break up passes. Young is a special talent that has received offers from Georgia, Florida State, Ole Miss, and more. [player_tooltip player_id="132050" first="Jaylen" last="Mbakwe"]- |6'0 170| |Clay-Chalkville| As a freshman, Mbakwe put the nation on notice. Mbakwe is incredibly gifted with speed, vision, instincts, hands, coverage skills, and everything necessary to be disruptive in the passing game. It is ridiculous to think that Mbakwe has all of these tools as he heads into his sophomore season. After receiving offers from Auburn, Georgia, Arkansas, and more, Mbakwe is only going to continue on an upward trajectory. [player_tooltip player_id="127823" first="Miguel" last="Mitchell"]- |6’3 200| |Oxford| Miguel had a phenomenal junior season featuring 27 solo tackles, 16 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and two forced fumbles. With a stat line like that, it is clear that Mitchell is just a natural playmaker on defense. Mitchell has great size that he uses to his advantage, in the run game he delivers big hits, and in the passing game, he plays very physically and doesn't allow receivers to get by easily. Mitchell is a great safety with tons of upside that has recently given his commitment towards Vanderbilt! [player_tooltip player_id="125436" first="Carl" last="Fauntroy"]- |6’1 180| |Spanish Fort| In Fauntroy's junior season, quarterbacks learned to not throw his way as he recorded 7 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 52 total tackles. Fauntroy is a ball hawk safety that is excellent at reading plays, whether it be a run or pass, he knows where to be at the right time. Fauntroy watches the quarterback's eyes well, plays great coverage, and consistently creates turnovers for his team. Currently listing offers from Cincinnati, Colorado, and Indiana, Fauntroy goes into his senior year at Spanish Fort which is unfortunate for 6A offenses.