2A Defensive Players of the Year
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2A was a very competitive class this year. A lot of big time guys were making plays. We saw some guys taking interceptions to the house, we saw big hits and we saw some shut down defensive backs performing at…
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Continue Reading2A was a very competitive class this year. A lot of big time guys were making plays. We saw some guys taking interceptions to the house, we saw big hits and we saw some shut down defensive backs performing at a high level. Like I have said before, it wasn’t easy picking two guys. Therefore we named a few more prospects for yall to check out.
2A Defensive Player of the Year, Dante Kelly Dante Kelly 6'3" | 205 lbs | DB LeFlore | 2023 State MS
Dante Kelly Dante Kelly 6'3" | 205 lbs | DB LeFlore | 2023 State MS has been one of the best safeties in Mississippi for a long time. This year he had over 90 tackles, and he added seven more interceptions to go along with that. Kelly is committed to Vanderbilt, and they are getting a very good player. He is a guy that is long with a lot of range. Kelly can get the job done anywhere in the secondary. However, on the college level he is going to be a safety. Kelly is a guy that does not mind getting aggressive with running backs. He has the right instincts to be a good safety. He was the man for the Leflore Co defense. I’m very sure they will miss him next year.
2A South Defensive Player of the Year, Zechariah Parodi Zechariah Parodi 6'1" | 250 lbs | DL Scott Central | 2023 State MS
Parodi was a big time guy on this defense. Even when he wasn’t directly making the big play, he was assisting his teammates well. Parodi played his assignment all season. He is a big boy that was very dominant in the trenches. Parodi isn’t a guy who will miss his assignment. He is a good player that has a good football IQ. He plays the game with a lot of energy. Parodi is a guy that will be around the ball every play. He makes the hustle plays you need guys to make. He can make the big hits to get the crowd going. Parodi is just an overall good football player.
Honorable Mentions
Deondre Riley is a guy that plays his position well. When he stand back in the secondary he knows how to cover. He knows how to read in zone defense, and he can man up in man coverage. He uses a lot of confidence to help him make plays as well. Riley did a great job against one of top receivers in the nation for the 2025. Riley has good hips, and he knows how to break on plays. He does not make a lot of mistakes on the defensive side. Riley has another year to win the overall award for the North. I expect him to have a very big season next year. Keep an eye out for this kid.
Jermiah Wicks all over the field on defense for Scott Central. He is a smaller guy that played with a lot of heart this year. I love the grit that he has. He had 70 tackles on the season. That says a lot for a guy his size.
CJ Edwards CJ Edwards 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Charleston | 2023 State MS from Charleston is another guy we have to mention when mentioning 2A. He is a general that loves getting in the heart of the offense. He knows how to stick his head in the hole and attack a running back. Edwards was a guy to keep up with the whole season.