DMV’s Top Defensive Players of the Fall: Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In-depth analysis of the top defensive players from the DMV this past Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'6 255 DL - [player_tooltip player_id='90642' first='Jason' last='Moore'] - DeMatha - The Ohio State University</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='90642' first='Jason' last='Moore'] was recently named the Gatorade Player of the Year this year in Maryland. The Ohio State Buckeye commit completely dominated the line of scrimmage this season for the Stags. Whether he's lined up on the inside or the outside, it doesn't matter because [player_tooltip player_id='90642' first='Jason' last='Moore'] can breach the backfield and contain the run no matter where he is lined up on defense. He leads by example with his infectious energy and high velocity pass rush, and he will truly be missed next season at DeMatha. [player_tooltip player_id='90642' first='Jason' last='Moore'] will go down as one of the all-time great pass rushers in DeMatha Stags' program history, and I am certain that he will leave behind yet another legacy of dominance after his next chapter at OSU. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/Spotlight39_Pod/status/1588942981805248512?s=20&amp;t=AsGYrWganJ7XzGdQiDAWJg">https://twitter.com/Spotlight39_Pod/status/1588942981805248512?s=20&amp;t=AsGYrWganJ7XzGdQiDAWJg</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'3 205 LB - [player_tooltip player_id='172218' first='Aaron' last='Chiles'] - Good Counsel</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172218' first='Aaron' last='Chiles'] was selected to the All-WCAC 1st Team this Fall, and he is also currently the highest ranked linebacker in his class, according to Prep Redzone. Chiles is consistently listed in the top 100 national rankings across the board, and the reason is because of his dominance at the high school level. He's truly prepared for the college game already, and with some D1 development he's going to absolutely stifle offenses at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id='172218' first='Aaron' last='Chiles'] possesses elite size, speed, and athleticism, and there's a strong chance that he will be the top performing linebacker in the state yet again in 2023. He already has D1 power five conference offers from every program that you can think of, and his commitment will be one of the most eagerly anticipated of 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/KfVZnnzsVc">https://t.co/KfVZnnzsVc</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'4 190 LB - [player_tooltip player_id='172213' first='Gabriel' last='Williams'] - St. Vincent Pallotti</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4 star recruit and #3 ranked linebacker in his class, [player_tooltip player_id='172213' first='Gabriel' last='Williams'], had a breakout season this past Fall. Williams demonstrated elite skill in containing the run, but he also thrived in coverage defending the pass. He did it all on defense this season for Pallotti, and his effort, energy, and leadership were inspiring for all 8 games. It's no secret who the leader on defense will be for Pallotti next season, and, after a disappointing year record-wise, opposing ball carriers should keep the ball away from [player_tooltip player_id='172213' first='Gabriel' last='Williams'] when they face him in 2023, because Pallotti will be playing for revenge. It wouldn't shock me at all to see [player_tooltip player_id='172213' first='Gabriel' last='Williams'] put up even bigger numbers next season. He already has power five conference offers from programs such as Duke, USC, Cincinnati, and others. All eyes must be on [player_tooltip player_id='172213' first='Gabriel' last='Williams'] next year for his Senior campaign, because he's an extremely exciting player with a lot of versatility who will absolutely do great things at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18167878/6375acc3a0237c0e0cfd7459">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18167878/6375acc3a0237c0e0cfd7459</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'1 185 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'] - DeMatha - Virginia Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior 3 star defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'] was absolutely my favorite player to watch compete in the defensive secondary throughout the season. Lovett recorded a handful of interceptions, and his yards accumulated on interception returns were his highest that they've ever been in his high school career. The Virginia Tech commit was absolutely lockdown this year for DeMatha, and the keys to his success were absolutely his speed and anticipation. Lovett's football IQ is also one of the highest I've ever seen at this level, and he's able to read the entire field of play from the defensive secondary. He seems to know where every quarterback is throwing the ball before they even throw it, and he now makes them pay for it with his experience. [player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'] is one of the premier defensive backs in the nation, and he's most certainly going to demonstrate just that at Virginia Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2J8ZPh">http://www.hudl.com/v/2J8ZPh</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'0 220 LB - [player_tooltip player_id='172219' first='Simeon' last='Coleman'] - St. Frances Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172219' first='Simeon' last='Coleman'] is most definitely a top five linebacker in Maryland, and he really proved himself as a turnover machine this year. Coleman hits harder than about 95% of players at this level, and his speed and force in tandem are simply too much for any ball carrier to handle. [player_tooltip player_id='172219' first='Simeon' last='Coleman'] and the SFA defense faced nationally ranked competition every game, and they still dominated in every matchup. The 3 star recruit already has offers from programs such as UNCC, Coastal Carolina, UMASS, and Marshall. If you're looking for a game changing linebacker who's going to thrive at the next level then look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='172219' first='Simeon' last='Coleman'] of St. Frances Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/dsCEQf5C92">https://t.co/dsCEQf5C92</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'1 205 LB - [player_tooltip player_id='172814' first='Montay' last='Weedon'] - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1st Team All-WCAC linebacker and back to back WCAC champion, [player_tooltip player_id='172814' first='Montay' last='Weedon'], consistently showed up for his team when it mattered this year, and his efforts were integral to the Cadets' spectacular success in 2022. The offers have been rolling in for Weedon, and he possesses power five conference offers from Tennessee, Kansas, Georgia Tech, West Virginia and more! The sky truly is the limit for [player_tooltip player_id='172814' first='Montay' last='Weedon'] at the next level, and I wouldn't be at all surprise to see top tier programs such as Clemson, FSU, OSU, and Alabama make offers to Weedon as well. He'll look to lead the Cadets to a third consecutive WCAC Championship in 2023 to close out his Senior season campaign. All eyes must be on [player_tooltip player_id='172814' first='Montay' last='Weedon'] and the St. John's Cadets in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14483462/637db28866558e0b10ffdf83">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14483462/637db28866558e0b10ffdf83</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->