Central Coast Section Defenders Atop The Leaderboards

Turner is one of the more physical and violent players across the entire CCS and leads many defensive categories heading into the final week of the regular season for the section. He is all over the field from sideline to sideline and shows tremendous closing speed, tackling abilities and the skills to weave through traffic to get into the backfield consistently. He flashes he can rush the passer off the edge or up the middle and packs a punch at the POA and flashes closing speed and the ability to shock and shed off blocks when playing downhill. He has been severely under-recruited to this point and will be a key add to a college program come signing day and is without a doubt one of the top available linebackers in Norcal.     Marini is one of the top sack artists across the central coast and can play either linebacker or defensive end and moves around when applying pressure. He has been having a breakout season this Fall and is a name to note across the region. He is a big and physical pass rusher with natural bend, quick hands when turning the corner and can win with both speed and power when getting a good jump on tackles. He is a very active tackler in space, shows he can set the edge with his inside stab and plays with a violent strike and natural instincts when roaming the outside. Only a 2027 prospect, he will be one of the top returning defenders across the section and can play a variety of different positions at the first or second level in college and should start drawing some real interest this off-season.     The San Mateo product is one of the smoother and more athletic linebackers available in northern California, and will be a steal at the D2+ level. He has elite closing speed, takes the right angles in tight windows and is a very efficient tackler always looking to force turnovers and get the ball out. He has a quick trigger and runs right through contact of bigger blockers while packing a punch at the POA and is a very high motor kid. Also having good size with plenty of room to pack on more weight, he should fit nicely inside or outside at the next level. In coverage he is smooth in transition with fluid hips and can cover bigger pass catchers downfield while disciplined in zone coverage with ball skills and open field movement abilities. He currently has 68 tackles and 10 TFL's and is one of the top two-way guys across the CCS.     Armstrong is a very active and dynamic defensive back with outstanding ball skills, return abilities and hip fluidity in coverage with COD and big play skills with the ball in his hands. He is a natural peddler and has a quick transition while breaking quickly to ball carriers on the perimeter and is always helping in run support. Armstrong is only a Junior and will be one of the top returning defensive backs across the section heading into 2026 and has been putting up breakout numbers this Fall. He leads the section with 5 interceptions and 30+ tackles on the perimeter and should draw plenty of D3+ interest this off-season.     Hautau is another throwback player that is a plug in the middle of the defense and a true mike backer that plays fast and downhill and excels in between the tackles. He is very athletic for his size with fluid movements, closing speed and range outside the tackles and shows he can scrape over the top and knife into the backfield along with helping in pass rush situations. Hautau is currently leading the central coast section in multiple categories and has tallied 100 tackles, 14.5 TFL's and has been consistent week in and week out of the regular season.