Sophomore of the Year Midseason Report: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're around the halfway point of the year and it's time to check in on some of the top players in the state. At the end of the year, we're going to run polls allowing fans to vote on the players they find most deserving at position and perhaps in each class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For now, we'll stick to class and tell you a bit about some of the guys we like in each class and give you some information about each of them. Earlier this week, we tackled the 2026 class. You can view our breakdown of the offensive players in that class <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/10/freshman-of-the-year-midyear-report-offense/" target="_blank">here</a> and the defensive freshmen <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/10/freshman-of-the-year-midseason-report-defense/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll look at the sophomore standouts, starting with the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dbabb3921","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dbd9b3922","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["475406"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Richardson leads all sophomores in the state with nine sacks. He's also been productive in terms of forcing turnovers, with two forced fumbles and three recoveries. Earlier this season, he forced a fumble, recovered it and returned it for a touchdown. He's not the biggest guy but he's productive in his opportunities.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["271204"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Our top athlete has been fantastic on both offense and defense this season. We're highlighting Ritchey on defense in this one, where he's picked up 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss this season. He's dropped into pass coverage more this season and I like what I've seen there too. Ritchey is a pure athlete","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["286142"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It's not often that you see a defensive tackle on lists like this, but McCormick has been fantastic this season. After seven games, McCormick has 28 tackles, including six for loss and two sacks. He's been a force in the middle, also forcing a fumble and deflecting a few passes.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["351829"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Coleman first came onto our radar late in the offseason when we caught wind that he would be a huge part of what Butler does defensively. Midway through the year, it looks like that is the case. Coleman is second in the state amongst sophomores with seven sacks and has 16 total tackles for loss.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["475718"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Parker has been fantastic as a cover guy this year with five interceptions in six games. He's added a few pass breakups and 31 tackles and he's returned an interception for a touchdown. He's facing top receivers week in and week out on one of the state's top defenses.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->