Prep Redzone Division 1 All-State Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an exciting 2024 season, we can finally reflect and consider the best of the best in each position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are our picks for all-state defense in Division 1! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All-State Defense</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1290709' first='Logan' last='Howell'] - SR - Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1113037' first='Danilo' last='Guberinich'] - SR - Detroit Catholic Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='212359' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'] - JR - Saline</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka'] - SR - Howell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1514601' first='Liam' last='Kania'] - SR - Rochester Adams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='602039' first='Brady' last='Hamby'] - SR - Macomb Dakota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - Connor Brintnall - SR - Hudsonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='1316908' first='Griffin' last='Boman'] - JR - Clarkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='277652' first='Reed' last='Blake-Thomas'] - SR - Brighton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='899607' first='Blake' last='Zoro'] - SR - Livonia Stevenson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='329420' first='Alex' last='Graham'] - SR - Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='600142' first='Derrick' last='Jackson III'] - SR - Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='1148719' first='Luke' last='Ahern'] - JR - Rockford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='1529678' first='Alex' last='Kelley'] - SR - Romeo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='603743' first='Elijah' last='Dotson'] - SR - Belleville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reasoning</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1290709' first='Logan' last='Howell'] - SR - Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logan was a KEY player in Cass Tech's State Championship run. In the State Championship, Logan made a few key plays in the Championship, including a critical tipped pass that probably would have resulted in a Hudsonville TD otherwise. He's a leader, a sparkplug, and 1000% deserving of All-State honors</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1113037' first='Danilo' last='Guberinich'] - SR - Detroit Catholic Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game-wrecker. Probably the best defensive lineman in the Catholic league, and arguably the best in Michigan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='212359' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'] - JR - Saline</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best speed rushers in Michigan. Played amazing when I saw him against Dexter. Deserving of this honor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka'] - SR - Howell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well-covered player in the media, and for good reason. One of the most dominant defenders in Michigan. Excellent size. Competitive. Physical. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1514601' first='Liam' last='Kania'] - SR - Rochester Adams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liam played incredible all season. He was a key player in Adams' semifinal run. Played incredibly well against top competition. Well-deserving of all-state honors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='602039' first='Brady' last='Hamby'] - SR - Macomb Dakota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best linebacker I watched all season. Insanely physical. Hard-hitting. Competitive. Played on both sides of the ball. I would be shocked if every other outlet didn't have Brady on their all-state list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - Connor Brintnall - SR - Hudsonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The BEST linebacker in West Michigan and one of the best in all of Michigan. Very smart, competitive, fast. A gigantic reason why Hudsonville reached the State Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='1316908' first='Griffin' last='Boman'] - JR - Clarkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 4-quarter guy on both sides of the ball. Tenacious defender. Does not give up even when he's pushed to exhaustion. Really, really good football player who deserves All-State as a Junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='277652' first='Reed' last='Blake-Thomas'] - SR - Brighton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed has improved tremendously every single season. This year, he was the best linebacker in the KLAA, IMO. Great stats, but even better tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='899607' first='Blake' last='Zoro'] - SR - Livonia Stevenson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Super, super underrated football player. Incredibly physical, hard-hitting, and stops the inside run as good as anyone. Will be an awesome player at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='329420' first='Alex' last='Graham'] - SR - Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easily the best defensive back in Michigan. Unmatched athleticism, smarts, size, etc. I was EXTREMELY impressed with his abilities in the State Championship- next rankings update, I'm moving Alex up to #2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='600142' first='Derrick' last='Jackson III'] - SR - Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another huge reason why Cass Tech bounced back and won the State Championship. Extremely smart, athletic DB2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='1148719' first='Luke' last='Ahern'] - JR - Rockford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can be a hawk defending the pass or a missile defending the run. A few insanely impressive highlights. A breakout game against Cass Tech week 1. He's definitely, an all-state talent and I'd be shocked if he didn't earn all-state honors from the coaches' association this year or next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='1529678' first='Alex' last='Kelley'] - SR - Romeo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very underrated defender in the MAC Red. Rangy but a little more raw in pass defense, but a VERY good run defender. Love what I saw from Alex this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='603743' first='Elijah' last='Dotson'] - SR - Belleville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most gifted athletes in Michigan. From a few of my sources, he's also extremely kind and hard-working. Had a MONSTER season alongside Mr. Underwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->