Mid Willamette Conf POY Candidates + Others to Watch (DEFENSE)

Referenced below are next season's POY candidates on the defensive side of the ball. Please note that Player of the Year projections are NOT necessarily a reflection of an individual's recruitment.           POY Candidates #1-8       DEFENSE         1.[player_tooltip player_id='278367' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'] LB 24' West Albany   2.[player_tooltip player_id='738890' first='Wyatt' last='Wessel'] LB 24' Lebanon   3.[player_tooltip player_id='442249' first='Hayden' last='George'] LB 24' Lebanon   4.[player_tooltip player_id='738891' first='Xavier' last='Orozco'] DL 24' Silverton   5.[player_tooltip player_id='486002' first='DeShawn' last='Gilliam'] DB 24' South Albany   6.[player_tooltip player_id='738892' first='Cohen' last='Mulick'] DB 24' Silverton   7.[player_tooltip player_id='738893' first='Steven' last='Ward'] DL 24' Dallas   8.[player_tooltip player_id='285872' first='Truman' last='Brasfield'] DB 25' Corvallis          POY Candidates: The returning MWC Defensive POY [player_tooltip player_id='278367' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'] will be the favorite to win the award again. I see the 6-3 225-pound LB/TE having a big off season and landing a handful of division 1 offers.    Look for Lebanon to improve on their (4-4) record from a season ago, with [player_tooltip player_id='738890' first='Wyatt' last='Wessel'] and future D1 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='442249' first='Hayden' last='George'] leading the D. Wessel will make a nice jump on the rankings board once updated. The 6-3 LB is athletic and will play opposite George as you expect universities to be aware of the talented combo.   [player_tooltip player_id='738891' first='Xavier' last='Orozco'] had one of the best seasons of any player in Oregon at the 5A level, being named the lineman of the year in the Mid-Willamette Conference. Depending on how Silverton performs, the undersized DE has the potential of being the overall DPOY.   As noted offensively, [player_tooltip player_id='486002' first='DeShawn' last='Gilliam'] is one of the most versatile athletes in the state at the 5A level. He returns after earning 1st team honors on D, while also being recognized as one of the top return men in Oregon.    [player_tooltip player_id='738892' first='Cohen' last='Mulick'] had an outstanding season offensively, averaging 17.1 yards per catch, with 38 receptions and 5 TDs. That said as he could be one of the INT leaders statewide and definitely a conference POY candidate defensively.    The Dallas Dragons have quietly been one of 5As best teams due to individuals like [player_tooltip player_id='738893' first='Steven' last='Ward']. The 6-0 220-pound DE had a great junior season earning 1st team all-conference honors.    Last but not least you have to look at Corvallis' [player_tooltip player_id='285872' first='Truman' last='Brasfield']. The current 6-2 165 athlete was a 2nd team all MWC selection last year on O, but could very well project on defense, where he earned honorable mention all-conference accolades. The sky's the limit for the current sophomore.     OTHERS TO WATCH: 5-8 170-pound LB [player_tooltip player_id='738895' first='Brody' last='Sullivan'] is a kid who could thrive for the Foxes, especially if they win the MWC title and make a run come playoff time. LB Mateo Womack will project as one of the top defensive players in the conference. Both him and Sullivan were 2nd team all-league selections a season ago.   Another kid who will make a nice jump on the rankings board is [player_tooltip player_id='738894' first='Andrew' last='Eames'] of Central. The 6-2 170-pound DB had an impressive season, with 57 total tackles, 3 INTs, and 3 PBU's. The Panthers graduate a ton of talent after going 7-3 last season. Eames will be called upon to step up after racking up 2nd team all MWC honors in 2022.    You will also want to keep tabs on 6-2 210-pound LB [player_tooltip player_id='278450' first='Dominic' last='Sobota'] out of Dallas. Both him and [player_tooltip player_id='738893' first='Steven' last='Ward'] will need to play out of their minds next season if they want to compete for a MWC title.