Oregon 6A Defensive POY Candidates (Ranked #1-15)

Here we take a look at Oregon’s leading candidates defensively for 6A Player of the Year honors heading into next season. As most know being selected a conference or state POY has very little to do with recruiting. A lot is determined by the team’s overall success as well as what the athlete does himself... &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>DEFENSE</strong> &nbsp; 1.[player_tooltip player_id="205815" first="Tiger" last="Black"] DT 23’ Roseburg- The reigning conference POY will be a favorite for state player of the year honors as well. He is a big reason for the turnaround at Roseburg, also garnering recent offers from Air Force and Army. Summit coach and former Oregon Duck QB Tony Graziani said it well, "He was the best player we saw all year." 2.[player_tooltip player_id="147247" first="Earl" last="Ingle"] LB 23’ West Linn- The reigning conference player of the year will continue to lead what will be Oregon’s #1 ranked 6A team. With Leavitt transferring in, Ingle will be able to concentrate on D where he projects collegiately. 3.[player_tooltip player_id="110180" first="Mark" last="Hamper"] S 23’ West Linn- Hamper earned 1st team all-conference honors on both sides of the ball. He has a real shot of being the POY on offense and defense in the state’s toughest conference. He tied for 2nd state wide in INTs with 5 in 2021. 4.[player_tooltip player_id="147240" first="Richie" last="Anderson"] DE 23’ Tualatin- Anderson ranks as one of the Northwest’s top DE’s, with Colorado St recently offering. He had one of the most impressive seasons of any underclassmen in Oregon, accounting for 56 total tackles with 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. How he received 2nd team all TRL honors is beyond me. 5.[player_tooltip player_id="110179" first="Drew" last="Rodriguez"] S 23’ Sprague- Rodriguez tied for 2nd in the state in INTs with (5). He was the X factor for the Oly’s in multiple wins and the primary reason Sprague returned to the playoffs after a few down years. He has the potential of being the only 6A athlete in Oregon to earn conference POY honors on both sides of the football. 6.[player_tooltip player_id="152332" first="Ethan" last="Biondine"] LB 24’ Lakeridge- Biondine started as a freshman and had one of the best seasons of any Sophomore state wide, making 88 total tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss. He projects on D but could end up one of the TRL’s top offensive threats as well. 7.[player_tooltip player_id="152337" first="Wiley" last="Donnerberg"] WLB 24’ West Linn- Wiley might be the only Junior in Oregon to be in contention for player of the year honors on both sides of the football. As big of a year as he will have statistically on offense, expect him to be a division 1 prospect on D. 8.<strong>Timmy Mitchell Jr.</strong> CB 24’ Central Catholic- As stated numerous times Mitchell could end up being one of CCs most decorated athletes when all is said and done. The Les Schwab Bowl MVP as a freshman and reigning state title winner projects as one of Oregon’s best. 9.[player_tooltip player_id="206771" first="Will" last="Wilson"] LB 23’ Tualatin- Wilson projects as one of Oregon’s top defensive recruits for 2023 in my opinion. If the T Wolves make another run to the state title game, it will be because of kids like Wilson stepping up. 10.[player_tooltip player_id="205818" first="Noah" last="Staley"] DE/OLB 23’ Jesuit- As a 6-0 220 pound DE Staley played out of position from a size standpoint, earning 1st team all-Metro honors as a Junior. He is a freak athlete and incredibly strong, making it difficult for those on the O line to deal with his overall athleticism. He will be a problem for opponents. 11.[player_tooltip player_id="270070" first="Calvin" last="Macy"] LB - One of the state’s fastest rising prospects recently landed offers from Air Force and Eastern Washington. The Lakers will need him to have an unreal senior season, after earning 1st team all-conference honors as a junior, and graduating a deep and talented 2022 class. 12.[player_tooltip player_id="152361" first="Ryan" last="Vandenbrink"] LB 24’ West Linn- I could see Oregon St wanting VandenBrink to play college football as well. The Beavers baseball commit had a breakout sophomore year, making 55 total tackles, with 12 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He ranks as one of the state’s top 24’s. 13.[player_tooltip player_id="147861" first="Luke" last="Leighton"] OLB 23’ Sheldon- There is very little this kid didn’t do last season. His overall fluidity and ability to move at 6-5 was impressive on D. The 68 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 INTs were just a glimpse of his potential dominance this coming season 14.[player_tooltip player_id="119072" first="Ty" last="Pugliano"] DB 23’ North Medford- Pugliano has an unmatched work ethic and is beloved by his teammates. He will need to have his cardio in check come season, as the primary ball carrier and one of the top defensive players in the SWC as well. 15.[player_tooltip player_id="226949" first="Teitum" last="Tuioti"] OLB 23’ Sheldon- The 3* transfer from Lincoln Southeast in NE, has offers from the likes of Cal, Nebraska, Kansas St, Boise St, and Ole Miss. He will be a clutch addition to an already very talented Irish squad, returning numerous all conference athletes. 15.[player_tooltip player_id="152363" first="Nolen" last="Scott"] S 24’ Sherwood- Once again I think his overall athleticsm speaks for itself. As good as he is on offense he most likley projects as a division 1 safety, so getting his reps on D will be important. Hopefully he’s got his cardio in check, as he will rarely leave the field. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;