Athletes Who Could Breakout or Blow Up in 24′ – Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br> <strong>Rankings will be updated for each class in the next few weeks. Here we take a look at a few guys who might not be well known as of yet, but have a chance to breakout or even blow up this season... </strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>*No Particular Order </strong>c</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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1224421' first='Carter' last='Christiansen'] 6-3 195 25' OLB Wilsonville&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more underrated kids in the state in my opinion. Christiansen totaled 59 tackles with 6 tackles for loss, while also adding a sack and 3 hurries, for the 5A state champs. He will be tough to stop this year with his length and overall experience.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1110925' first='Alexander' last='Esuk'] 6-1 250 26' DL Sunset&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Esuk could be the Metro League D lineman of the year as a junior, after earning 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference accolades last season. The combination of him, along with [player_tooltip player_id='1104043' first='Adrian' last='Machic'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1104044' first='Miles' last='Rice'] on the offensive front will give the Apollos a solid nucleus on both sides of the football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1014360' first='Tykell' last='Gehrke'] 6-3 160 25' Safety Mountainside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gehrke is a talented basketball kid and impresses with his overall athleticism on the football field. He will need to add size, but he has great length, with the potential for him to be one of the state's top safeties. He earned 3rd&nbsp;team all-Metro honors last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1103481' first='Luke' last='Saraceno'] 6-3 220 25' DL Sheldon&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more unknown D lineman in the state. Saraceno racked up 2nd&nbsp;team all-league honors for the Irish. If he continues to progress with his 6-3 frame, he could have numerous options at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='412219' first='Cade' last='Vandiver'] 6-1 210 25' LB West Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The son of former Oregon Duck standout LB Chris Vandiver had a good junior year but has yet to make a big splash on a statewide level. There is still a lot yet to be determined here but the genes alone put him in this conversation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796492' first='Tevita' last='Lata'] 6-1 190 27' WLB North Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have had some legit guys over the last few years, improving overall as a program. I would expect Lata to play a significant role as a sophomore and potentially be an all-conference guy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1209513' first='Craig' last='Maynard'] 6-0 170 25' DB West Albany</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maynard earned 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference honors as a junior. He will team with 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1112461' first='Tyson' last='Walker'] to give the Bulldogs one of the best defenses in Oregon at the 5A level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1112479' first='Damian' last='Elizarraras'] 5-11 160 26' DB Century</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've talked about Elizarraras as one of the biggest sleepers in the 26' class. As a sophomore he was among the conference and state leaders in INTs with 5, while also adding 40+ tackles. A lot will depend on what sport he pursues collegiately as he is a super talented baseball kid.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='531318' first='AJ' last='Reverman'] 6-2 195 25' OLB Lincoln&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reverman is back after earning 1^st&nbsp;all-league honors at the utility position and 2^nd&nbsp;team all PIL accolades at TE. He will likely project on D but can play on either side of the ball, possessing good size and speed. Universities will like the fact that he can play multiple spots on the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1311537' first='Max' last='Baker'] 6-0 215 26' LB Beaverton&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaverton has some talented kids returning with the 3-sport athlete Baker being one of them. The team won't be deep but if their main guys can stay healthy, they will have a chance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->