2023 Preseason NYCHSFL All League 1st Team Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New York Catholic High School Football League has some of the best defensive players in the northeast. This league will remain the toughest in New York and this preseason first team defense is beyond loaded. Checkout these elite prospects</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Line</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284082"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the best prospects we've ever seen come out of New York. The top 2026 prospect in the state was a no-brainer for this list. Carey had a great freshman year at defensive tackle and showed why he's one of the best in the nation. His measurables are off the charts at 6'5 and 285 pounds and mixed with his athleticism he will be very difficult to handle up front. Carey has offers from LSU, Georgia, Ohio State and other top schools in America. ","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["434415"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I would have to say Belin is the top defensive player in New York for the 2025 class. His strength and quickness terrorized teams last season and now with more experience he will cause havoc this season. Belin has offers from Duke, Wake Forest, Maryland and other power five schools. His deep bag of moves along with excellent athleticism and technique make him a scary force this upcoming season. ","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["434414"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The other half of the phenomenal Cardinal Hayes duo is [player_tooltip player_id='434414' first='Kahmari' last='Valentine']. And at 5'11 and 300 pounds, he overpowers the opposition. I was impressed with how well he moves and his great footwork over the summer. I saw him at the Elite V Showcase where Valentine didn't lose a rep and was physically the most dominant defensive lineman. He will have a huge year","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["450487"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"You can make the argument that Hicks is the best overall defensive player in the entire Catholic league this year. He recently committed to Minnesota after he put together a monster junior season where he helped Iona to a AAA title appearance. At 6'4 and 250, what people have to watch out for is his speed. Hicks can fly and he brings the intensity and never gives up on any play. ","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ebaf027a1cf"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebackers </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450493"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Palumbo makes a strong argument as the top linebacker in a very talented league this season. He had a monster junior campaign with 93 tackles. The Yale commit has fantastic instincts and last year he was all over the field. He was delivering hard hits and was reliable in pass coverage. With JT Krivinskas graduating, Palumbo will be one of the most productive linebackers in the league this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["253479"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The Holy Trinity defense lost some very talented pieces, but three year starter [player_tooltip player_id='253479' first='Nick' last='Parisi'] is back and he is one of the top linebackers in this league. Parisi is one of the best block shedding linebackers in New York along with some good speed. He has excellent size at 6'2 220, and I think this year we will see him rack up a ton of tackles as a true run stopper in the AAA division ","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["269999"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It seems like Chaminade always has that very productive linebacker and this season it's [player_tooltip player_id='269999' first='Seamus' last='Miller']. After having an excellent junior season at OLB, the Flyers have moved him into the middle. And at MLB, Miller will be stacking up the tackles this upcoming season. Look for him to be an elite run stopper and Miller also had a great summer slowing down running backs in pass coverage. ","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["505532"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The hybrid linebacker/safety will be one of the top overall defensive players this upcoming season. He will be the anchor for the Moore Catholic defense and play wherever the Mavericks need him. At OLB, he's the best pass coverage linebacker in this league. Vanterpool was a phenomenal tackler last year as well, he will be a machine this upcoming fall. He holds offers from several group of 5 schools ","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ebaf027a32d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277897"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The top overall cornerback in the entire state for the upcoming season. Madu committed to Minnesota after a good junior year and great offseason. Madu has good size and excellent technique. He's the closest thing you'll see to a lockdown corner in the entire catholic league. He will be heavily tested week one when he faces off against Amari Jefferson an Alabama Commit from the Baylor School (TN)","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["450634"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The other half of the most exciting defensive back duo in the state. Deonte Douglas is a phenomenal safety and he just committed to the University of New Hampshire. He's one of the hardest hitters at the position. The Prep Redzone Catholic League Preseason Player of the Year does it all. Douglas is a ball hawk and can also carry the rock on offense. Look out for him to make an impact in the return game as well. ","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["505380"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another elite player in the class of 2025 in the catholic league. Johnson is one of the fastest prospects in the entire state and he earned plenty of attention this offseason. He has offers from Minnesota, Boston College and a few other power five schools. Johnson has been great since his freshman year and what makes him special is how he shows up in big games. The last two years, he's recorded game changing interceptions in the semifinals to help Iona reach a championship game","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["342711"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The superstar from Moore Catholic is one of the few players that could've been first team offense and defense for the upcoming season. Lighten has some big time speed and I decided to put him on the defense because of how reliable he will be next year. He forms a scary duo with Damon Stweart and I could see Lighten shutting down receivers as well being all over the field coming away with key pass breakups and tackles.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["521449"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"One of the leaders of this Cardinal Hayes defense and one of the top defensive backs in New York City. I can confidently say that Downer is one of the best tackling defensive backs in the state. He comes downhill fast and makes terrific plays on runners. I saw him this summer at 7v7's, Downer is a leader and was very steady in pass coverage ","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ebaf027a45a"} /-->