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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In-depth analysis of the top performing defensive players from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in 2022. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'6 230 DL - [player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] - Gonzaga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] is one of the most physically dominant defensive ends in the state of Maryland's 2024 class, and his off the charts potential was on full display during the 2022 season. Holmes received 2nd Team All-MET honors this year, and my early prediction for next season is that he will be named All-WCAC. [player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] already possesses power five conference offers from programs such as Michigan, FSU, PSU, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, and many others. This year was very solid for Holmes, but I believe that his Senior season will be the most dominant one of his high school career. He's in a phenomenal position to make a huge impact on defense for the Purple Eagles next season, and scouts everywhere must have their eyes on [player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] starting now. His ceiling is the sky, and, with the proper development, he absolutely has what it takes to dominate at the college level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/RJpsAwPT7g">https://t.co/RJpsAwPT7g</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'2 265 DL - [player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws'] - DeMatha</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3 star 1st Team All-WCAC defensive lineman, [player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws'], absolutely owned the backfield this season, and he seemingly breached the line of scrimmage and made a tackle on a ball carrier on every play. He's as fast and quick as he is big and tall, and now we're starting to see Laws' years of experience pay dividends. He rushes the passer with extreme maturity and patience, and he has developed incredible awareness which has drastically improved his run defense. The Junior defensive juggernaut already possesses power five conference offers from schools such as Maryland, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and more. [player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws'] is one of the best tacklers in the WCAC, and his presence up-front for the Stags next season is going to make their defense very dominant yet again in 2023. DeMatha will, more likely than not, be playing for a WCAC title next season, and [player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws'] and the Stags' defense deserves a lot of credit for that fact. Scouts nationwide must know the name [player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights:<a href="https://t.co/xDqQlNdWvw"> https://t.co/xDqQlNdWvw</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'6 240 DL - [player_tooltip player_id='371156' first='Darien' last='Mayo'] - Good Counsel</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='371156' first='Darien' last='Mayo'] performed at an exceptionally high level during the 2022 season, and he showed everyone that he has massive next level potential. He already has offers from top tier programs such as Ohio State, Southern California, Penn State, Miami, Auburn, Florida, and others. Mayo's talent is off the charts, and it's clear that the top recruiters in the nation have caught onto that early. [player_tooltip player_id='371156' first='Darien' last='Mayo'] averaged more than 5.5 tackles per game this season, with a handful of sacks to go along with his career total. Scoring points on the Good Counsel Falcons was not easy to do this season, and [player_tooltip player_id='371156' first='Darien' last='Mayo'] remains a primary playmaker on that defense. He possesses outstanding next level potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/9r1tY0L0bq">https://t.co/9r1tY0L0bq</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 5'11 175 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='265641' first='Judah' last='Jenkins'] - Good Counsel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3 star 1st Team All-WCAC defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='265641' first='Judah' last='Jenkins'], played lockdown defense in 2022. His coverage was integral in Good Counsel's defensive dominance this past season, and his prowess also extends beyond the defensive realm. [player_tooltip player_id='265641' first='Judah' last='Jenkins'] returned multiple punt returns for touchdowns on special teams for Good Counsel, and his lightning speed was on full display on every return. Jenkins possesses stifling agility and ankle-breaking quickness as well. You'd be hard pressed to find a class of 2024 player in the defensive secondary that is as all-around elite as [player_tooltip player_id='265641' first='Judah' last='Jenkins']. He already has offers from D1 programs such as Ole Miss, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Marshall, Toledo, and others, and, with his performance this season, more offers will absolutely be rolling in for the next level playmaker. The Good Counsel Falcons have a chance to win the WCAC next season, and that dream begins on the defense end with their elite playmakers like [player_tooltip player_id='265641' first='Judah' last='Jenkins']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights:<a href="https://t.co/7dw2A5i4ky"> https://t.co/7dw2A5i4ky</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'1 190 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='264606' first='Shamar' last='Mcintosh'] - St. John's</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2022, [player_tooltip player_id='264606' first='Shamar' last='Mcintosh'] won his second consecutive WCAC title, and he also earned All-WCAC honorable mention honors. The 3 star recruit is ranked in the top 10 for 2024 DBs on multiple platforms, including Prep RedZone, and he possesses elite D1 offers from schools like Tennessee, Maryland, Pitt, WVU, and Boston College. McIntosh is phenomenal everywhere, and he's such a phenomenal tackler that it wouldn't surprise me to see him take some snaps at linebacker in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='264606' first='Shamar' last='Mcintosh'] is a next level defensive player for the St. John's Cadets, and it's no coincidence that he now has multiple WCAC championship rings. McIntosh plays winning football week after week in the most competitive high school football conference in the nation. He will take on the greatest leadership role of his career next season when he leads the Cadets for the potential three-peat, and, with McIntosh, St. John's is in premier position to do so. Scouts everywhere must know the name [player_tooltip player_id='264606' first='Shamar' last='Mcintosh'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/vZdux9hOgR">https://t.co/vZdux9hOgR</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->