PRZPA’s Preseason All-State Team: 2nd-Team Defense

Yesterday, we released our Preseason All-State second-team offense. Today, we continue the preseason previews with our All-State second-team defense. Once again, there was some tremendous talent that was deliberated here regarding the second team and there were some quite tough decisions made as well. With that being said, we ultimately decided on the following for our second-team defense. Congratulations to all the players below; <strong>Defensive Line </strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27559" first="Ken" last="Talley"] | 6’2, 220 | Northeast</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27563" first="Keon" last="Wylie"] | 6’3, 220 | Imhotep Charter</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27694" first="Donovan" last="Hinish"] | 6’2, 270 | Pittsburgh Central Catholic</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="98581" first="Neco" last="Eberhardt"] | 6’2, 285 | Aliquippa</li> </ul> A tale of two parts of the state, on the defensive line we have two Philadelphia natives and also future teammates at Penn State in [player_tooltip player_id="27559" first="Ken" last="Talley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="27563" first="Keon" last="Wylie"]. They’re representing Philadelphia, whose been well represented so far on the first and second teams. They’re also two of the premier defensive ends in the state and should be in for huge seasons. At defensive tackle, we have Notre Dame commitment [player_tooltip player_id="27694" first="Donovan" last="Hinish"] as well 2023 Aliquippa standout [player_tooltip player_id="98581" first="Neco" last="Eberhardt"], who we all believe is in for a big season and could find his way on the first-team defense next preseason. Not many states can boast a second-team defensive line as good as this one. <strong>Linebackers</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27736" first="Josiah" last="Trotter"] | 6’2, 220 | St. Joseph’s</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27734" first="Semaj" last="Bridgeman"] | 6’2, 215 | Archbishop Wood</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="97978" first="Anthony" last="Speca"] | 6’3, 215 | Pittsburgh Central Catholic</li> </ul> Linebacker is an incredibly special position in the state this year with the second-team linebackers all being front runners to be first-team linebackers next season. This is a talented trio, to say the least with all three, destined to play Power Five football at premier programs when it’s all said and done. <strong>Defensive Backs </strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"] | 6’1, 175 | Chartiers Valley</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27561" first="Patrick" last="Body"] | 6’2, 180 | Gateway</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="66045" first="Donovan" last="Walker"] | 5’11, 160 | Aliquippa</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27593" first="Mario" last="Easterly"] | 6’0, 190 | Bishop McDevitt</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27582" first="Devin" last="Barren"] | 6’0, 180 | Pittsburgh Central Catholic</li> </ul> The second-team defensive back group was one that we saw quite a few different combinations of players appear on. Ultimately, we decided on the group above. As Vic said in our first-team defense article, the defensive back position is "the best and deepest position group in all of Pennsylvania". That’s a statement I fully agree with as it was by far the toughest position group to determine. Worth pointing out here is [player_tooltip player_id="27593" first="Mario" last="Easterly"], who yesterday earned second-team All-State honors for his play at wide receiver. He’s the only player on the first or second team that made both the offensive and defensive squads. The Old Dominion commitment is an elite athlete and could be a huge steal for the Monarchs. With that, that wraps up our preseason second-team defense. Once again, congratulations to all the players to make the second-team defense for this preseason. Check back in tomorrow to see who makes the Prep Redzone Pennsylvania All-State third-team offense!