What Defenders Were Week 5 Stat Monsters?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What defensive prospects across the state had big games on Friday night?&nbsp; Here are some of the best in Stat Monsters!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Alijah Martin (Moline – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continue to be impressed with this 6'3” 265 pound defensive tackle that racked up 1 sack, 3 pressures, and 1 TFL on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Desmond Winfrey (Tolono Unity – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like what we have seen early from this 6'2” power defensive end.&nbsp; In only one half of action he had 5 tackles on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Wynn Philliippi (St. Ignatius – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 edge player racked up 10 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 3 quarterback pressures in week 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Logan Gibson (Burlington Central – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior defensive tackle has a strong frame and gets in the gaps vs the run.&nbsp; Doesn't give up on a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Ethan Brooks (Wheaton St. Francis – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior defensive end who has nice bend around the edge.&nbsp; High effort player that makes plays in the backfield vs the run.&nbsp; Blows up the running game on his side.&nbsp; Contributes on coverage units.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1184797' first='Tanner' last='Jacobs'] (Maroa Forsyth – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacobs recorded 6 tackles with 1 being a TFL along with 6 pancakes along with offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Niko Mann (Hinsdale Central – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mann is a linebacker that racked up 5.5 tackles along with a pass break up against Downers Grove South on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1150293' first='Cooper' last='Beaty'] (Plano – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Plano 6'2” linebacker had 9 tackles on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Bradyn Hostetler (Waubonsie Valley – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Lincoln Way West Hostetler had an insane 19 tackles along with a pass break up.&nbsp; Offensively he had a rushing TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Drew Phelps (Moline – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Quincy in week 5 Phelps had 11 tackles, 2 interceptions, and another pass break up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1907926' first='Roderick' last='Johnson Jr'] (Phillips – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior defensive back had 11 tackles against a very good Morgan Park team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Brandon Rogers (Mt. Carmel – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers had an interception early in their win against Benet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1545314' first='Tommy' last='Westrom'] (Neuqua Valley – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big game for the safety on Friday as he had 7 pass break ups.&nbsp; Did it on both short and deep routes.&nbsp; Was aggressive while not committing penalties.&nbsp; Also got in for a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1902831' first='Triston' last='Wesley'] (Champaign Central – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 5'11” sophomore corner is making plays as he racked up 6 tackles in the secondary on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1358093' first='Mariano' last='Velasco'] (Oswego – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Velasco flew around recording 5.5 tackles along with a pass break up defensively.&nbsp; On offense he has 3 grabs for 45 yards and a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH Avian Thomas (Rock Island – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a dual sport standout that also shines on both sides of the ball.&nbsp; The athlete had 1 interception, 2 pass break ups, and a pair of nice punt returns.&nbsp; Offensively he caught all three balls thrown his way for 78 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LS Andrew Meyers (DePaul Prep – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior long snapper was on point with 7/7 crisp snaps on punts along with a pair on PATs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->