2024 PIL Player of the Year Candidates- DEFENSE (Ranked #1-10)
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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…
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Continue ReadingOver 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.
Tau Takau
Tau
Takau
6'2" | 220 lbs | LB
Roosevelt | 2025
State
OR
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. Leonardo Correani Leonardo Correani 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln | 2027 State OR 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. Deckard Hale Deckard Hale 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Grant | 2027 State OR 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. Brady Holland Brady Holland 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Lincoln | 2025 State OR 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. Yves Gelly Yves Gelly 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Roosevelt | 2025 State OR 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. Miles Green Miles Green 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Roosevelt | 2026 State OR 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. Asa Lundberg Asa Lundberg 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Grant | 2026 State OR 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. AJ Reverman AJ Reverman 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Lincoln | 2025 State OR 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. Thomas Browning Thomas Browning 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Grant | 2025 State OR 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. Cannon Sternberger Cannon Sternberger 6'0" | 190 lbs | DL Jefferson | 2025 OR 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.