Top Defensive Playmakers in the Class of 2023

Welcome back high school football fans! With 2021 in the rearview mirror and a new set of high school seniors currently putting in the offseason work in preparation for their final season of prep ball, we must start looking at the abundant amount of talent that is ready to make household names for themselves. More specifically, it is impossible to overlook these names on the defensive side of the ball. In today’s day and age of high octane offensive attacks and an exuberant total of points being scored, the spotlight has never been brighter on the unit in possession of the football. However, the statement "Defense wins championships" can still ring true today. The top defensive seniors of the 2022 campaign have much to prove. Now introducing the top defensive playmakers from the class of 2023! &nbsp; <strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id="62241" first="Blake" last="Purchase"] 6’4" 210 Cherry Creek </strong> <strong>2023 Rankings: #1 DL, #1 Overall </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 83 Tackles, 18.0 TFL, 12.0 Sacks </strong> When looking at Mr. Purchase on paper, his measurements and stats undoubtedly jump out at you, but it’s the game tape and live action that leave jaws dropped. His absurd 18 tackles in the backfield and 12 sacks have left opposing offenses trembling in their boots, and now they have to worry about having nightmares about the Cherry Creek product until the season nears later this year. Purchase has the technique and instinctual ability to be a bonafide playmaker at the next level, and if his game continues to grow during his season season, he will be as hot of a commodity as they come. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15222344/61b84491176c590b3c2d0733" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id="149311" first="Hank" last="Zilinskas"] 6’3" 255 Cherry Creek</strong> <strong>2023 Rankings: #2 DL, #8 Overall </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 81 Tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 Sack </strong> Well, well, well... if it isn’t the second half of the Great Wall that represents the Bruin’s defensive line! With Purchase and Zilinskas as partners in crime, it will be tough sledding for rushing attacks to gain yardage, which was already a tough task for opponents this previous season. Unlike his Creek teammate, Zilinskas relies on his massive 255 pound frame to overpower his matchup, whether that’s generating pressure up the middle or shutting down running lanes. There is no question that the upcoming senior is one of the more intriguing prospects to look at as the offseason continues, and it’s quite possible he could explode onto the scene in 2022. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13830886/61be2e69b019360bac702920" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id="62220" first="Tai" last="Faavae"] 6’0" 205 Fountain-Fort Carson </strong> <strong>2023 Rankings: #1 LB, #7 Overall </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 126 Tackles, 11.5 TPG, 1.0 Sack </strong> Currently ranked as the number one linebacker according to Prep Redzone, there aren’t many weaknesses to the Fountain-Fort Carson Mike linebacker’s game. After racking up 126 tackles during his junior year, the sky is the limit for Faavae’s fourth and final season. Faavae excels in play recognition, as he is repeatedly in the right place at the right time to make the impact play.  There are rarely times a defensive player can single handily cause a team to develop championship aspirations, but do not be surprised if the Trojans are a dark horse to make some serious noise because of Faavae’s talent and leadership. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12783598/6184b30102b1490bf023bfa8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id="22769" first="Mason" last="Lowe"] 5’10" 165 Chatfield </strong> <strong>2023 Rankings: #3 ATH, #22 Overall</strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 39 Tackles, 3.9 TPG, 5 INT’s, 10 PD’s</strong> Only months ago, it was impossible to not look out onto the field and see [player_tooltip player_id="22769" first="Mason" last="Lowe"] making play after play. The catch? Unlike other high caliber players creating highlight tapes week in and week out, Lowe was doing it on both sides of the ball. With his shifty speed as a running back and his portrayal of a wide receiver’s shadow whenever he was playing his defensive back position, Mr. Lowe is as valuable as it comes to just about any squad coming into the new year. In fact, Lowe may be one of the few players that has a chance to claim that he’s one of the best at carrying the ball AND being a ballhawk in the secondary. That alone proves Lowe’s worth, and why he so happens to be apart of this list. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13004335/61be76897bd33303e0ab09b9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id="150074" first="Hudson" last="Voggesser"] 6’2" 190 Loveland</strong> <strong>2023 Rankings: #1 DB, #16 Overall </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 90 Tackles, 7.5 TPG, 5.0 TFL</strong> Reigning as the number one ranked defensive back in the state of Colorado, the hard hitting safety out of Loveland High symbolizes a pack of dynamite waiting to be detonated. Voggesser plays with a sense of fire that can rarely be taught or coached, and is why his stellar play from 2021 has everyone in Red Wolves nation geeked up awaiting the first snap of this next season. The sound strong safety excels in blowing up the running game, and is also often assigned with the task in covering speedy slot receivers when offenses present four-wide and five-wide sets. More importantly, Voggesser’s football IQ is through the roof. He does a stupendous job in making sure his defense is on the same page, thus preventing breakdowns in passing coverage and providing different stunts and audibles when needed. This can only help make any coach’s job much easier. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13793350/61646dd902b2cd0be4d2d09f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id="22783" first="Brett" last="Alvey"] 6’0" 210 Pine Creek </strong> <strong>2023 Rankings: #4 LB, #36 Overall </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 102 Tackles, 7.8 TPG, 13.0 TFL, 10.0 Sacks</strong> Statistically, the anchor of the Pine Creek defense was arguably one and if not the best linebacker to lace the kicks up in 2021. His double digit sacks from the linebacker position demonstrates his flexibility within the Eagles defense, soaring swiftly through the air and plucking his prey resulting in tackles for loss. Replicating such a productive campaign will not be an easy task, but if anyone is capable of such an achievement, it will be the hard-nosed Alvey, who can make an incredible effort at continuing to raise his stock with another strong season. As each day passes, the clock is ticking nearer and nearer to a season’s worth of highlights from Pine Creek’s defensive leader. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12806385/61a43b28a681820f4448484e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; &nbsp;