Defensive Standouts: 5A Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the essential pieces to a great defense is a versatile linebacker. Utah is home to some great off-and-on-ball backers, and these players are the focus of our playoff standouts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Jeppsen || LB || 5'10 || 160 || Box Elder High School || 2024&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the postseason, the best players step up, and that's precisely what Jeppsen did in the Bee's win over Highland. The 5'10 linebacker had 12 tackles and a career-high three sacks in the win. It's the fourth time Jeppsen has totaled at least 12 tackles this year, and it's easy to see why. His sideline-to-sideline quickness is impeccable and allows him to impact the game at every level of the defense. In addition, Jeppsen's athleticism aids him on passing downs, whether in coverage or getting after the quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KJ Fisher || LB || 6'1 || 215 || Cedar Valley High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fisher is a high-IQ player who always seems to be involved in the game's biggest plays. He had an interception and six tackles in Cedar Valleys' win over Viewmount. Fisher is a physical tackler and moves well laterally. He does a good job breaking down and creating stops in the open field. Fisher uses his strength well and shines when shedding blockers to make plays. Fisher has good footwork in coverage, and his playing time at tight end makes him a threat to create turnovers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Weston Olsen || LB || 6'1 || 195 || Olympus High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olsen was instrumental in the Titan's big win over Payson. Less than two minutes into the game, Olsen intercepted a pass and returned it to the house. It was his first of two interceptions on the night, as he was outstanding in coverage all game long. Simply put, Olson will often run the route better than the receiver he's covering. When it comes to stopping the run, Olson is also stout and brings the hammer on each hit. As one of the state's premier linebackers in the class of 2024 Olson's stock will only continue to rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406955' first='Blake' last='Tabaracci'] || LB || 6'2 || 200 || Park City || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tabaracci sealed a Park City victory over Timpanogos with a late pick-six. The do it all linebacker has filled his brother's shoes from last season, stepping up and carrying the rock more, but he still makes plays on the defensive side. He never gets fatigued and flies all over the field, wreaking havoc on offenses. Tabaracci is one of the state's best athletes, and offense's game plan to try and avoid him each week. Our second-ranked player in the class of 2024 is only getting started making plays in the postseason.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->