5A Special District 3 Mid Willamette- POY Candidates DEFENSE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>There have been numerous changes at the 5A level, with (9) 6A teams dropping down and most of the conferences making significant changes. Special District 3, which is essentially the Mid-Willamette conference, loses Silverton, Mckay, and Woodburn. It will now be a 6-team league with West Albany, South Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Dallas, and Crescent Valley competing.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Just like we did with 6A I will project out the player of the year candidates on offense and defense within each conference. Check it..&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1.[player_tooltip player_id='407173' first='Austin' last='Simmons'] 25' OLB West Albany&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simmons is a 3* national recruit at TE and could be the best defensive player in the conference as well. He earned 2^nd&nbsp;team all-league honors last year with 30+ tackles, numerous tackles for loss, and multiple sacks. His 6-5 frame and overall length at the position will be extremely tough for others to match up against.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2.[player_tooltip player_id='1105040' first='Isaac' last='Jordan'] 25' DL Lebanon&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-11 245-pound D lineman doesn't have prototypical size for the position. That said as he was dominant within the conference as a junior, leading the league in tackles for loss (16) and finishing #3 in sacks with (8). Statistically Jordan was elite racking up 1^st&nbsp;team all Mid-Willamette and honorable mention all-state honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3.[player_tooltip player_id='1112461' first='Tyson' last='Walker'] 26' LB West Albany </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-2 175-pound sophomore is one of the fastest rising recruits in the state for his class. He has good speed with the frame necessary to add size. Walker went for 30+ tackles, while tying for the team lead in tackles for loss and being a 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference selection.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4.<strong>Justin</strong> <strong>Hofenbredl </strong>25' LB Dallas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hofenbredl led the Mid-Willamette conference in tackles with 95, earning honorable mention all-state honors. The 6-0 180-pound LB was one of Oregon's 5A breakout players of the year, with little recognition. Dallas has been one of the most consistent 5A programs in the state over the last&nbsp;½&nbsp;decade but graduate a ton of talent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5.<strong>Craig</strong> <strong>Maynard </strong>25' DB West Albany&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maynard stepped up big last season earning 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference honors. The Bulldogs will be a conference title favorite which will help with the accolades if they can win the league. The 6-0 175-pound DB should be a 5+ INT guy this coming year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6.[player_tooltip player_id='819708' first='Tobin' last='Holloway'] 25' LB West Albany&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most versatile players in the state at the 5A level. Holloway has had an outstanding off season thus far and is one of the best centers in Oregon. He will likely project on D, simply due to size, where he went for 40 tackles and multiple sacks last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7.[player_tooltip player_id='937033' first='Cody' last='Mitchell'] 27' DE Crescent Valley&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Definitely one of the fastest rising 2027 prospects in the West. The 6-5 225-pound standout earned honorable mention all conference honors as a freshman, finishing among the league leaders in sacks. The Crescent Valley defense has given up a lot of points over the last few years and Mitchell is the type of talent who could change that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8.[player_tooltip player_id='1119889' first='Pena' last='Moors'] 27' OLB West Albany&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moors had a breakout freshman season last year finishing among the league leaders in sacks. The 6-0 220 pounder is a physical presence who went for 27 total tackles last season. He has the potential of being similar to reigning POY [player_tooltip player_id='260100' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8.<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1216432' first='Eli' last='Hess']</strong> 25' LB Dallas&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Hess to be one of the top two-way threats in the league. He was everywhere last season, finishing 2^nd&nbsp;in the conference in tackles with 79. He also rushed 59 times for 373 yards and 3 TDs. I would expect Hess to double his numbers this year with the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id='893372' first='Isaiah' last='Mosley'] and Zayvian Webster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->