Defensive Standouts From the Class of ‘23

In the previous article covering the Class of '23 Player Rankings, we took an in-depth look at prospects that turned heads on the offensive side of the ball. Now it's time to turn our attention to the defense. This senior class is headline by defenders such as [player_tooltip player_id='127724' first='Jordan' last='Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='123081' first='Samuel' last='Same'], [player_tooltip player_id='35664' first='Ty' last='Weber'], and [player_tooltip player_id='126735' first='Alonzo' last='Morgan']. But this senior class has many more standout defenders throughout the rankings.   This second in-depth look at the rankings gives a position breakdown of six defenders that put together All-State and All-League caliber seasons. This group of six features two state champions, two linebackers hailing from Class 4A, and two prospects with game changing ability.    <h2>Defensive Line:</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='510990' first='Spencer' last='Vaka'] – Mill Valley, 6'2”, 250   The defense Mill Valley trotted out this season was statistically one of the best in their program's history, and arguably one of the greatest units ever in Kansas high school football history. There were playmakers at every level of this defense. Especially in the trenches. [player_tooltip player_id='510990' first='Spencer' last='Vaka'] was a player that caused a lot of disruption at defensive tackle for them, which allowed his teammates to make plays. Vaka took on a larger role this season and immediately made an impact. The senior logged 35 total tackles with 5.5 sacks, earning him an <a href="https://twitter.com/mvjaguar/status/1597264301164662791?s=61&t=4aeyDNGBTINGZeF1yMwxhQ">All-Sunflower League Honorable Mention</a> nod, and a spot inside the Top 200 in our latest rankings update.   <h2>Defensive Backs:</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='510991' first='Dre' last='Delort'] – Manhattan, 5'10”, 160   The Manhattan football program has produced some talented defenders over the past few years, and [player_tooltip player_id='510991' first='Dre' last='Delort'] is the latest to make his debut in our rankings system. Delort cracks the Top 150 after putting together an excellent season at corner for the 6A state champions. He didn't allow much through the air this season, as Delort would come away with one interception and 10 pass breakups. He also showcased his physicality by racking up 34 total tackles and three forced fumbles. Delort's impressive play would earn him a Class 6A 1st Team All-State selection by the <a href="https://twitter.com/dreign_/status/1599941028630257664?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">KFBCA</a>. His coverage skills and fearlessness should attract several defensive coordinators during this recruiting period.   [player_tooltip player_id='511713' first='Brandon' last='Roupsouay'] – Olathe West, 5'9”, 170   Another defensive back out of the 6A ranks that performed well during the 2022 season was Olathe West safety, [player_tooltip player_id='511713' first='Brandon' last='Roupsouay']. Much like Delort, Roupsouay also cracked the Top 150 in this recent update to become the 136th ranked prospect overall. Roupsouay's presence on defense meant everything for the Owls this season. Roupsouay's versatile play helped him finish second on the team in total tackles with 102, and he finished first with 10.5 tackles for loss. He also collected three forced fumbles and four pass breakups. These numbers would earn him multiple <a href="https://twitter.com/kshsaa/status/1601300961955397633?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">Class 6A All-State</a> honors, and a <a href="https://twitter.com/owfootball/status/1597245737162530816?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">1st Team All-Sunflower League</a> selection.    <h2>Linebackers:</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='166976' first='Jalen' last='Rice'] – El Dorado, 6'1”, 205   The development of [player_tooltip player_id='166976' first='Jalen' last='Rice'] has been fun to watch. Rice went from being a solid complementary two-way player his sophomore and junior year, to arguably being El Dorado's top player as a senior. The El Dorado product finished second on the team in rushing, but led the Wildcats in total tackles by a wide margin. He'd end his senior campaign with 123 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and four sacks. His phenomenal season earned him several <a href="https://twitter.com/jalen_rice1422/status/1601414659206451200?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">postseason accolades</a> such as the AVCTL D-IV Defense Player of the Year, and a 4A 1st Team All-State selection as well. The tackling machine has a bright future ahead of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='245797' first='Gage' last='Greer'] – Basehor-Linwood, 5'11”, 195   The other Class 4A backer that impressed this season was [player_tooltip player_id='245797' first='Gage' last='Greer'] of Basehor-Linwood. Greer elevated his game in a significant way during his senior campaign. His numbers increased across the board, as he went from posting 44 total tackles as a junior, to piling up 99 this season. Greer also added 1.5 sacks and one interception to his season totals. He was the heart and soul of the Bobcats' defensive unit, and he'd be recognized for his outstanding effort. Greer's been picked as a 4A 1st Team All-State backer by the <a href="https://twitter.com/kansaspregame/status/1599884952304119808?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">KFBCA</a>, and was selected to the 1st Team of the <a href="https://twitter.com/bobcatfb/status/1591818528813973505?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">United Kansas Conference</a> as well.    <h2>Athlete: </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='511687' first='Trystian' last='Juarez'] – Liberal, 5'11”, 185   [player_tooltip player_id='511687' first='Trystian' last='Juarez'] is the fourth prospect featured in this article to make his debut in the November update. Juarez entered the Class of '23 rankings inside the Top 250 after dominating on both sides of the ball this season. Liberal's defense took their lumps this year, but Juarez managed to be a bright spot despite the rough the season. He was the leader of the defense with 103 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one sack and three pass breakups. The scrappy linebacker was named to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hillbrosfb/status/1597240461022072832?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">Western Kansas All-Area 11-Man Team</a>, picked up a <a href="https://twitter.com/liberalredskins/status/1595054979185770497?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">1st Team All-WAC</a> selection, and received 5A All-State honors from <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsinkansas/status/1599455370971209728?s=61&t=AKj6TU7IXMM9mXzDjg4IXQ">Sports in Kansas</a>.

In the previous article covering the Class of '23 Player Rankings, we took an in-depth look at prospects that turned heads on the offensive side of the ball. Now it's time to turn our attention to the defense. This senior class is headline by defenders such as Jordan Allen Jordan Allen 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Olathe South | 2023 State KS , Samuel Same Samuel Same 6'5" | 215 lbs | DL Derby | 2023 State KS , Ty Weber Ty Weber 6'3" | 230 lbs | LB Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , and Alonzo Morgan Alonzo Morgan 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Blue Valley North | 2023 State KS . But this senior class has many more standout defenders throughout the rankings.