San Diego DPOY Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Taking a look at the defenders leading the DPOY race in the San Diego Section</em> <em>including multiple D-I prospects.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["683640"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65273f2c34c9a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts is one of the most impactful defensive playmakers on one of the top defensive units in the state. He offers high-level skills, instincts, and awareness diagnosing plays before they develop and letting his eyes lead him to the ball from his ILB spot. He's productive, physical, and athletic as a tackler with a section-leading 110 total tackles (90 solo) and 23 TFLs in seven games. He's savvy and slippery navigating through traffic in the run game and creates negative plays with his downhill trigger to the ball. Roberts, who holds offers from SDSU, Nevada, and Sac St., checks a lot of boxes to be a D-I LB at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/14jeromeroberts/status/1711954574930743631","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/14jeromeroberts/status/1711954574930743631 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["273577"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65273f2c34d25"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bulabalavu is the state leader in sacks with 15.5 through six games. He's a dominant front-seven defender that presents a size (6'4”/260) and skill mismatch over almost any OL he faces. He's steadily raised his stock since leading San Diego in sacks last season (22.5) as he continues to grow physically and improve his overall skillset. Bulabalavu committed to Washington in June after racking up 8 D-I offers in the offseason.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RBulabalavu/status/1710781447517392899","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RBulabalavu/status/1710781447517392899 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1128328' first='Thomas' last='McCormick'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Carlsbad","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65273f2c34e1e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCormick has looked like a DPOY candidate this season while leading Carlsbad in tackles (46) and TFLs (7). He's looked more athletic as a tackler and faster to the football with his trigger and closing speed than he did his junior season when he posted over 100 tackles, 19 TFLs, and 4 INTs. He's a plus-side athlete at his ILB position that offers tremendous upside in his ability to play in space and cover effectively over the middle of the field. McCormick, who just added an offer from USD in early October, is one of the top overall LBs in San Diego. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/thommccormick5/status/1710356449510232074","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/thommccormick5/status/1710356449510232074 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Munir Kassa ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lincoln","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65273f2c34f05"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kassa has been one of the biggest stock risers among San Diego's EDGE defenders this season with 12 sacks through seven games. He explodes off the ball with his first step and shows relentless motor to the football. He can bend and lower his pad level to beat blockers around the edge and does a good job of using his eyes to locate ball-carriers in the backfield. Kassa's positioned himself as one of the top EDGE defenders in San Diego's 2025 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/munir_kassa/status/1710020535223296325","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/munir_kassa/status/1710020535223296325 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jonathon Class ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mission Hills","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65273f2c34fec"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class has been a game-wrecker on the defensive front-seven for Mission Hills this season. He consistently creates havoc in the backfield with a quick first step and athletic pass-rush moves around the edge. He moves fluidly when tracking down ball-carriers and shows short-range burst when closing on the ball. Class picked up offers from USD and Benedictine College in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13248667/650e290a3deaa30b481a960b">Senior Midseason Highlights</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->