7A Preseason All State Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We discuss our selections for the Preseason All-State Defense in the 7A!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">DEFENSIVE LINE</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='125529' first='Peter' last='Woods']-Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='125529' first='Peter' last='Woods'] has been dominant his entire career at Thompson, and as he heads into his senior season expect him to only be more productive in the trenches. Last fall Woods recorded 11 sacks, 92 total tackles, and 26 TFLs- Woods is extremely talented, and highly recruited as well. After narrowing his recruitment down to Alabama, Clemson, Florida, and Jackson State, [player_tooltip player_id='125529' first='Peter' last='Woods'] made the decision to commit to Clemson- giving them a top defensive line prospect in the nation for their 2023 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='125536' first='Hunter' last='Osborne']- Hewitt Trussville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='125536' first='Hunter' last='Osborne'] has had a lot of success in his time at Hewitt Trussville and has become a top defensive line recruit in the country. Last fall, Osbourne recorded 5.5 sacks, 60 total tackles, and 10 TFLs- consistently making plays in the backfield. Recently, Osbourne released the top 4 schools in his recruitment with Alabama, Tennesee, Texas, and Clemson made the cut and it will be exciting to see where he ends up once he makes his decision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='125530' first='Tomarrion' last='Parker']-Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='125530' first='Tomarrion' last='Parker'] has been a top defensive lineman in the state over the last several seasons, as last year was no exception. Last year Parker recorded 9.5 sacks, 75 total tackles, and 23 tackles for loss, he was dominant against both the run and the pass and is set up to have a big year this fall. After dropping a top 5 earlier this year that consisted of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Penn State, Parker recently made the decision to commit to Penn State- making him a huge addition to their 2023 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='268903' first='Connor' last='Knight']-Hewitt Trussville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hewitt Trussville has another talented player on the defensive line that's making their debut for them this fall in [player_tooltip player_id='268903' first='Connor' last='Knight']. Knight has been destructive the last two years at Pinson Valley and is transferring into the 7A to the Huskies. Knight has received offers from programs like Miami, Kentucky, Arkansas, and more- wherever he ends up he is going to make a huge impact in the trenches for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong><em>LINEBACKERS</em></strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='393181' first='Bradley' last='Shaw']- Hoover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='393181' first='Bradley' last='Shaw'] had a fantastic sophomore season last fall and has been on fire on the recruiting trail recently as well. Shaw is a really athletic linebacker that thrives off of the great mix of athleticism and anticipation he has- he can track down the ball carrier extremely well and make tackles, can make plays on the ball with interceptions and pass breakups, and has the sideline to sideline speed to constantly be impacting plays in some fashion. Many schools have taken notice of him recently, as he has received offers from Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, and other top-tier programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='396244' first='Hunter' last='Jones']- Hewitt Trussville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396244' first='Hunter' last='Jones'] has been a tackling machine for Hewitt Trussville, generating 109 total tackles last fall (9 for loss). Jones does a phenomenal job at locating and bringing down the ball carrier whether it's against the run or pass, his vision and pursuit allow him to make plays wherever on the field. Jones is heading into his senior season this fall and will definitely be a player to keep track of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">DEFENSIVE BACKS</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='125521' first='Jahlil' last='Hurley']- Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='125521' first='Jahlil' last='Hurley'] has been phenomenal throughout his whole high school career at Florence and has become a nationally recruited top DB in the entire 2023 class in the process. Last fall, Hurley recorded 43 tackles (4 for loss) 5 pass breakups, and 5 interceptions on the year- making plays on the ball and constantly causing havoc against the passing attack. As mentioned earlier, Hurley has been highly sought after from programs all across the nation but committed to Alabama in February of this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='125520' first='Tony' last='Mitchell']- Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='125520' first='Tony' last='Mitchell'] is ranked as our #1 player in Alabama's 2023 class, and rightfully so- he has been unstoppable in his career at Thompson. After a junior season that featured him totaling up 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 55 total tackles, Mitchell will be heading into his final season this fall where we can expect to see him do more of the same. Recently, Mitchell decided to also stay instate for the next level when he committed to Alabama, strengthening their class by a ton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='396183' first='Rickey' last='Gibson']- Hewitt Trussville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396183' first='Rickey' last='Gibson'] is an explosive athlete and terrific coverage corner for Hewitt Trussville and is heading into a big senior year. After a junior season where he recorded 3 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 33 total tackles, Gibson quickly became highly recruited, having received offers from Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, and more. Gibson is sure to have that list grow even more, as he and the Hewitt Trussville defense are heading into this season with high potential as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">[player_tooltip player_id='216863' first='Anquon' last='Fegans']- Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='216863' first='Anquon' last='Fegans'] had an incredible freshman season last fall at Thompson, totaling up 50 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 pass breakups against some of the state's toughest competition in the 7A. Fegans is an incredible prospect that's already found himself at the top of the 2025 class, having received offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and many other top-tier programs already. Keep an eye on Fegans as he plays this fall, he has a ton of potential and already is a top-tier player in our 2025 Rankings, and he is only going to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->