Names to Know: Rising Defensive Stars This Season

[player_tooltip player_id='1532328' first='Channon' last='Johnson'] from St. Thomas Aquinas is a name that deserves more buzz. At 6'1”, 310 pounds, Johnson is a disruptive force at the 3-tech spot who causes consistent chaos in the backfield. His get-off stands out right away—quick and violent, with a punch that jolts offensive linemen on contact. He plays with real power in his hands and uses them well to shed blocks early in reps. While his pad level can get high at times, he generally maintains leverage and shows strong balance through contact.   Against the run, Johnson is a menace. He's stout at the point of attack and eats up space, but what separates him is his ability not just to absorb blocks—he beats them. Whether he's slipping through gaps or holding his ground on doubles, he finds ways to stay active and finish plays. As a pass rusher, he's still developing a more refined move set, but you can see the growth on tape. He's starting to string together moves and use counters to generate interior pressure.   Johnson is the tone-setter for his defensive front. He anchors, he disrupts, and he finishes. If he takes another step in his pass-rushing development, he could emerge as one of the more dominant interior defenders in the state this fall.      [player_tooltip player_id='1546495' first='Max' last='Minervini'] from Morris Knolls is one of those players who consistently stand out with their motor and effort. At 6'2”, 190 pounds, he lines up primarily as an edge rusher, but there's a strong argument to be made that his long-term fit is at off-ball linebacker. Even playing slightly out of position, he still manages to be a disruptive force. His get-off is fast, and he plays with great urgency. He doesn't just fly upfield—he diagnoses plays and stays under control, which allows him to be a consistent finisher.   He shows solid versatility across the front, lining up both with his hand in the dirt and standing up. He's able to time his blitzes well and shoot gaps from various angles, giving offensive linemen problems. Despite not having elite change-of-direction ability, Max makes up for it with his length, reaction skills, and tackling ability. Those traits, along with his instincts and comfort in space, make a potential transition to off-ball linebacker very appealing.   With continued development at that spot—especially in coverage and lateral movement—he could become a real sleeper at the next level. For now, he's a valuable defensive chess piece who causes problems from multiple alignments. But with a move to linebacker, his recruitment could take the next step.        [player_tooltip player_id='1599077' first='Benny' last='Landi'] returns to Timber Creek as one of the more intriguing interior defensive linemen in South Jersey. At 6'1”, 270 pounds, he's already built like a college-level lineman—thick, powerful, and strong at the point of attack. He eats up blocks with ease and consistently holds his ground against double teams. What stands out most is his ability to neutralize blockers and still make plays, especially in the run game.   Benny isn't just a space-eater either. He shows flashes of backfield penetration and can collapse the pocket with power. When he's locked in, he's a resonant force inside—someone who can change the line of scrimmage and get offenses off schedule. The next step for him is finding that pass-rush consistency. He has the traits to be more disruptive on passing downs, and if he can put it all together, he'll be one of the more complete interior linemen in the state.   This senior season is a big one for him. He has the tools. Now it's about stringing together those dominant flashes and turning them into full-game performances.      Benji Carter is quickly emerging as one of the top young defensive talents in New Jersey. The 6'1”, 250-pound edge rusher from Winslow brings a rare blend of explosiveness and technique that makes him a constant problem for opposing offenses. His get-off is violent, and he plays with a motor that doesn't quit—chasing down plays from the backside or crashing through the line on run fits.   What makes Benji stand out is his ability to bend and stay low. That leverage, paired with his slipperiness and sudden hands, makes it challenging for bigger linemen to lock onto him. He already flashes a small arsenal of pass-rush moves and looks comfortable countering when his initial plan doesn't work. He's not just raw potential—he's producing now and already drawing offers, with UMass and New Hampshire jumping in early.   With his current trajectory, Benji Carter is on pace to become one of the most sought-after edge rushers in the region. Keep an eye on his development—he's only getting started.      [player_tooltip player_id='819163' first='Shermar' last='Collins'] brings serious versatility and edge to the Millville defense. At 5'11”, 160 pounds, he's a dynamic defender who lines up all over the field—nickel, safety, outside corner, and even flashes off the edge as a linebacker. No matter where he's positioned, Shermar finds ways to make plays.   He thrives in the slot, blowing up screens and shutting down short-yardage passes with aggressive downhill bursts. What stands out on the tape is his physicality. He's not afraid to mix it up in the run game, and he consistently finds ways to knock the ball loose or jar it free at the point of contact. His instincts are sharp, and he's already being used like a defensive chess piece across multiple alignments.   With a Kent State offer already on the board, Shermar is steadily climbing the recruiting radar. His toughness, versatility, and playmaking ability make him one of the top defenders to watch in South Jersey—and a name to know in the 2026 class.