Midseason 4A Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're getting close to the end of the regular season and after checking in with players by year, it's time to start preparing for our end of year awards. We're not sure exactly how, but we want to have a fan-voted element to this year's Player of the Year lists. That will come next month. For now, we wanted to give people an idea of where we stand with these awards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can check out our other watch lists on the site. While this list won't be exhaustive, there's a good chance our 4A Defensive Player of the Year comes from this list. Here are some guys we think could take home the award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 4A Defensive Player of the Year Candidates</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a note here, while Prep Redzone typically focuses more on college potential than high school stats, this is a notable exception. We're not simply giving the award to the highest-ranked player in the class and will instead seek to give it to the player who has the biggest impact on the game in each class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Accordingly, there will be high-profile players who don't even make our check-ins and watch lists and there might be some players on the lists that don't end up gaining much traction on the recruiting trail. That being said, these players are some of the best in their class and deserve to be recognized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["620146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c1d350fc95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While this isn't a recruiting award, it doesn't hurt that Davis is a freak athlete and one of the best defensive line recruits in the country. He's showing it on the field too. Davis has 17 sacks from his edge position, winning with speed, power, and pass-rushing moves. He's added three pass deflections and a forced fumble this year while helping Grimsley to an undefeated record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165700"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c1f7537bed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lewis is so valuable to Marvin Ridge's defensive line, commanding double teams and still putting up huge pressure and sack numbers. Marvin Ridge has relied on its defense all season and he's playing in high-leverage situations every week, so it's not like he's racking up stats in garbage time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["918776"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c202f086e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chaffin followed up a good freshman season with a fantastic sophomore season. He's the current 4A tackles leader and has a forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception, and blocked field goal this season. It looks like his season is going to be over, as Davie County doesn't look like it will make the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1083631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c389d17f39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lowe has really impressed me this season and he's a guy who could make a late move up out rankings. He's just so productive as a tackler and complete linebacker. Lowe had 144 tackles this season, adding several forced turnovers. He plays fast and decisive, which is what has helped him have such a productive year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["651173"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c389d17f8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most physically-impressive sophomore linebackers you'll find, Cypher finished in the top five among tacklers against top competition, but that wasn't the only thing he did. Cypher added two blocked punts, three interceptions, and 6.5 sacks, to go with 24.5 tackles for loss. Basically, he's been everywhere for Millbrook and has a strong case for player of the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1600434],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c389d17fd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spencer wasn't even ranked in our last rankings update, I had to manually add him to the website after he started off the year as one of the players of the week. While he's been consistent across the season, there were a few games where he simply took over, racking up tackles for loss in droves and almost single-handedly stalling out offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1068198"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c389d1802d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've been really impressed with Best this season. We've listed him as an athlete in the system, but he showed himself a capable cover corner this season, picking off four passes despite not being targeted all that often. Best also blocked three field goals and a punt this season, which is more than most <em>teams </em>across the state have blocked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 4A Defensive Player of the Year Candidates</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jayden Willis, DL, RJ Reynolds</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Will Estes, DL, Green Level</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1551652' first='Tre' last='Walker'], Edge, Parkland</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='693045' first='Ian' last='Coleman'], Edge, Butler</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cameron Cyr, Edge, Hough</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='415457' first='Bryce' last='Johnson'], LB, South Caldwell</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rashad Streets, Edge, Millbrook</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='648670' first='Keysaun' last='Eleazer'], Edge, Southeast Raleigh</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ebenezer-ewetade/">Ebenezer Ewetade</a>, Edge, South Garner</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1068199' first='Zion' last='Wright'], LB, New Bern</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Michael Agrillo, LB, Ashley</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='759840' first='Cohen' last='Bohanon'], LB, T.C. Roberson</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='771231' first='Dallas' last='Brannon'], LB/DB, Independence</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='759842' first='Jamari' last='Farmer'], LB, Mooresville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='897764' first='Bryant' last='White'], DB, North Mecklenburg</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1702833' first='Tyquan' last='Richardson'], Edge, Garner</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Think we missed someone? Let me know on Twitter (@whelms21). Want to make sure we see you compete in person? Register for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1324/register/carolinas-stock-up-showcase">Stock Up Showcase</a> on Dec. 15. Use discount code HelmsPRZ2024 at checkout for $10 off your registration.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->