Defensive Standouts: 6A Playoffs
Round one of the playoffs included numerous outstanding performances from the state’s top defenders. Here are our picks for the players who raised their stock the most. Julius Tikoisuva || LB || 5’11 || 198 || West High School ||…
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Continue ReadingRound one of the playoffs included numerous outstanding performances from the state’s top defenders. Here are our picks for the players who raised their stock the most.
Julius Tikoisuva || LB || 5’11 || 198 || West High School || 2023
West’s defense once again shut out the Hunter offense, and Tikoisuva was a big reason why. On the first defensive play of the third quarter, he came flying off the edge and got a strip sack to seal any hopes of a Wolverine comeback. Tikoisuva is an explosive outside linebacker who flies around the field, making plays. The 5’11 linebacker wrecks havoc on the edge, where he displays elite pass-rush traits. He sets the edge fantastically in the run game and flies in from the backside to hold runs to minimal gains. Tikoisuva is one of the premier defenders on a potent Panthers defense.
Elias Parkinson || DB || 6’1 || 185 || Layton High School || 2024
Parkinson led the Lancers in tackles in their win vs. Harriman. He also made one of the game’s biggest plays with a 92-yard pick-six. Parkinson does an outstanding job playing his man and seeing the ball. In zone coverage, he reads the quarterback’s eyes like a text book allowing him to make game-changing plays. The 6’1 corner is an elite tackler who excels at bringing down passes catchers in the open field. Parkinson is sticky in coverage and a phenomenal athlete, which also aids him during his reps at receiver.
Brant Koford || LB || 6’0 ||220 || Fremount High School || 2025
It’s always impressive when you see Sophomores shine in the regular season, but it’s even more impressive when they can do it in playoff road games. That’s precisely what Koford did in Fremount’s round-one win at Granger. The physical linebacker does a great job fighting through blockers and knows how to use the hit stick when meeting running backs in the hole. His play recognition is outstanding, and Koford also explodes off the snap on blitzes to create havoc in the backfield. This 2025 linebacker is just getting started.
Payton Freeman || DB || 6’0 || 163 || Mountain Ridge High School || 2023
Freeman came up clutch in the Sentinel’s win over Westlake with a critical blocked field goal that made a huge difference in the 28-25 Mountain Ridge win over Westlake. Freeman also had seven tackles, but his impact extends well beyond the stat sheet. He plays the ball in the air incredibly well and has fluid hips enabling him to stay with receivers. In addition, Freeman is an elite athlete with elite reaction skills that allow him to stick with any receiver.