2024 PIL Player of the Year Candidates- DEFENSE (Ranked #1-10)

Jordan Johnson February 23, 2024 @ 07:55 PM

Over the next few weeks we will be breaking down each 6A/5A conference and the likely favorites for Offensive & Defensive POY. There is still a lot yet to be determined with plenty of movement to come. Here are the top athletes returning in the PIL.           DEFENSE         1.[player_tooltip player_id='407256' first='Tau' last='Takau'] 25' DL Roosevelt    Takau is a legit D1 prospect and should be the PIL Defensive POY. The 6-2 220 pounder earned 1st team DL honors but projects as more of an outside backer. His 56 tackles and 18 tackles for loss led the PIL. He comes from a talented family and could be legit at the next level if he finds the right program.    2.[player_tooltip player_id='936846' first='Leonardo' last='Correani'] 27' LB Lincoln   One of the most talented freshman in Oregon. The 2027 standout earned 2nd team all-conference honors on both sides of the football, projecting on D. Look for Correani to have a breakout year at LB while leading the conference in multiple statistical categories.    3.[player_tooltip player_id='709506' first='Deckard' last='Hale'] 27' LB Grant    It wouldn't shock me to see Hale rack up POY honors on either side of the football. He earned honorable mention all-conference accolades on D as a freshman and is the best overall player in the PIL in my opinion. As mentioned on O, the 6-0 205 pounder plays at a different speed then his peers.     4.[player_tooltip player_id='904424' first='Brady' last='Holland'] 25' DL Lincoln    The 6-3 300-pound DT is probably the strongest athlete in the conference, earning 1st team DL honors and 2nd team accolades on offense. Holland has put on some significant size and will be extremely tough for other lineman in the PIL to handle.    5.[player_tooltip player_id='1103485' first='Yves' last='Gelly'] 25' DB Roosevelt    Definitely one of the fastest rising DB prospects in Oregon. Gelly did an outstanding job and has good size at 6-0 170 playing the CB spot. Look for him to be listed among the top dual threat athletes in the PIL and earn 1st team all-league honors again.    6.[player_tooltip player_id='1110998' first='Miles' last='Green'] 25' LB Roosevelt   Green will probably be more of a strong safety type at the next level if he moves on collegiately. He earned 1st team all-conference honors at LB last season, moving as well as any athlete in the PIL defensively.    7.[player_tooltip player_id='402391' first='Asa' last='Lundberg'] 26' DB Grant    Lundberg was a 2nd team all-conference DB as a sophomore. He will be listed among the top Safety prospects in the state for the 2026 class, likely leading the PIL in INTs over the next two years.    8.[player_tooltip player_id='531318' first='AJ' last='Reverman'] 25' ATH Lincoln   The big 6-2 195-pound athlete earned 1st team honors on D and 2nd team offensively. He is a big reason the Cardinals should be one of the most improved teams in the PIL next season and potentially in the mix for a conference title.    9.[player_tooltip player_id='511867' first='Thomas' last='Browning'] 25' LB Grant    Statistically Browing was one of the most impressive PIL athletes last season, being listed among the conference leaders in tackles and INTs. He earned 1st team all-league honors at LB and his play will be crucial if the Generals are going to compete.    10.[player_tooltip player_id='1119071' first='Cannon' last='Sternberger'] 25' DL Jefferson    Sternberger did a great job last season for the Demo's playing out of position and earning 1st team all-conference honors on the DL. The 6-0 190-pound athlete will project more as a LB and be a key piece for Jeff this year.    10.Geovonney Burks 26' LB Roosevelt   Burks was a 2nd team all-conference kid on both sides of the football as a junior. He did well on offense at TE but will definitely be a leader defensively for a Roughriders team that should feature the best D in the PIL.