2024 South/Central League POY Candidates- DEFENSE (Ranked #1-12)

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 South Central Special District 1.       DEFENSE         1.[player_tooltip player_id='527032' first='Mana' last='Tuioti'] LB 25' Sheldon OFFERS (6) Arizona, Arizona St, Washington St, Cal, Hawaii   The 6-0 230 pounder will likely run away with this award defensively. The Tuioti's are just that good. Look for him to go for over 100+ tackles, with double digit sacks and tackles for loss. It will be interesting to see how the Irish respond after getting trounced by West Salem 42-21 to close the regular season last year.    2.[player_tooltip player_id='769995' first='Evan' last='Wusstig'] DB 26' West Salem   As mentioned, Wusstig was a 1st team all-conference kid on both sides of the football last year. He could very well lead the state in INT's this coming season and return multiple passes and kicks for TD's. There isn't much he can't do. He will be a multi offer D1 guy.    3.[player_tooltip player_id='402395' first='Braxton' last='Singleton'] DB 26' North Salem   Singleton is super legit. His 5 INTs and 2 pick 6's for TDs last season may be just a glimpse of what he does this year. At 6-2 210 pounds he could be a physical safety who patrols the secondary or move into a WLB role. Regardless he will rank as one of the top players in Oregon.    4.[player_tooltip player_id='285876' first='Kameron' last='Rague'] DB 25' South Medford   The 2022 Oregon 3A POY made the transfer to South last season and had a decent year, earning 2nd team all-conference honors at Safety. He has the potential to be a POY on either side of the ball but there is still a lot yet to be determined, including how well the Panthers compete.    5.[player_tooltip player_id='406771' first='Enrike' last='Aguilar'] DE 25' North Salem   Aguilar has had a big presence coming off the edge the last two seasons, earning 2nd team all-conference honors both years. Statistically speaking his 7 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 33 QB pressures speak to his game. This will once again come down to how well the Vikings do within the league as the accolades usually follow team success.    6.[player_tooltip player_id='407880' first='Noah' last='Scharer'] LB 25' South Salem   The future D1 baseball guy is also a standout for the Saxons in football. His 87 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks helped highlight his overall athleticism. He will return and be much needed on D after earning 1st team all league honors last season.    7.[player_tooltip player_id='287053' first='Trey' last='Kennedy Coleman'] DT 25' North Medford   One of the most underrated players in Oregon in my opinion. Trey is the type of kid you want to build a program around, making 44 tackles, with 18 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 19 QB hurries last season. His sophomore year was equally impressive. Look for him to finish as one of the all-time leaders defensively at North.    8.[player_tooltip player_id='407439' first='Brody' last='Thomas'] LB 25' Sheldon   Most are familiar with the last name with brother Brock Thomas being a former POY. Brody has dealt with some injuries but has that type of potential with even better size. He had 40+ tackles last season and could be a double-digit TD guy with multiple scores on D.    9.[player_tooltip player_id='1012337' first='Brady' last='Greer'] LB 25' South Salem   The team's leading tackler last season finished with 96 total tackles earning 2nd team all-league honors. Greer comes from a talented family and will combo with Scharer to feature one of the most athletic LB duos in the NW.    10.[player_tooltip player_id='1103475' first='Tate' last='Snyder'] DB 25' North Medford   Snyder led the state in INT's last year with 8. Most didn't know who he was, so they willingly threw at him. That won't happen this season as people will likely throw to the opposite side and try to stay away.    11.[player_tooltip player_id='613489' first='Cameron' last='Nix'] LB 25' North Medford    One of the most talented 2025's in the state that people don't know about. Between him and [player_tooltip player_id='286505' first='Landyn' last='Meeker'] the Black Tornado feature two of the best LB/S combos in the region who just make plays, but don't receive a bunch of hype.    12.[player_tooltip player_id='1103441' first='Maveryck' last='Akers'] LB 26' Roseburg   Dave Heuberger is one of the state's top coaches and he will be missed. Akers will be featured on both sides of the football in the coming seasons. The 5-11 170 pounder earned 2nd team all-league honors as a sophomore and will be one of the best in the league.