Second Team All-Central Ohio Underclassmen: Defense

<p>With the regular season in the books, several underclassmen in Central Ohio have made a name for themselves. Over this week, I will be releasing my personal All-Central Ohio Underclassmen teams for both offense and defense. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/first-team-all-central-ohio-underclassmen-offense/">First Team Offense</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/first-team-all-central-ohio-underclassmen-defense/">First Team Defense</a>, as well as <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/second-team-all-central-ohio-underclassmen-offense/">Second Team Offense</a>, have already been released, so make sure to check them out to complete all the released teams! Today, we finish the All-Central Ohio Underclassmen teams with the release of my Second Team All-Central Ohio Defense. These are some of the bigger rising prospects in Central Ohio who fell just short of making the cut for the first team, but still deserve recognition and praise for their work in the regular season. Let's dive in.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defensive Line</strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Jack create chaos against the Big Walnut defense in week one, and he's continued that success throughout the season. He's got a variety of pass rush moves in his arsenal. He's quick and bendy. He can win inside with his quickness and hand swipe, but can also win outside with bend. He sets the edge well as a run defender. Jack is someone to watch closely during the playoff run and his offseason, as I see him picking up P4 offers.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Defensive Line</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Antwan was a total package defender for KIPP Columbus this season. He is an excellent run defender. He's quick to shed blocks. He's a good athlete who does a good job at using his size and strength to his advantage. He's got a knack for punching the ball out at opportune times, forcing four fumbles this season. I'm excited to see what Antwan can do over this offseason to come back even better next season.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Defensive Line</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Roy made a name for himself last year with the Wildcats, and he put together another impressive season in 2025. He's an EDGE at the next level, but he does play some rush tackle for Newark. He's got a great first step and has fluid movement. He utilizes his swim move inside well and can get into the backfield quickly. Off the edge, he uses his athleticism and hand placement to win regularly. He's disciplined as a contain, and can use his length to wrap up. Roy was a no-brainer for this list.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Defensive Line</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lawrence is one of the more profiled additions to any list I've published, but his work this season was effective and productive. He's an incredible athlete with explosive off-the-edge speed. He's got a lengthy frame. He uses his hands to get by tackles, either swiping through them or pushing them out of his way. He uses his long arms to take away lanes for runners and can make tackles while still engaged. Lawrence was one of the most watches on film during my time creating these squads.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Linebacker</strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Braylon, the star running back for Hilliard Darby, also did an excellent job on the defensive side of the ball. He's a great athlete who excels outside the tackles. He's able to get to the edge and lay big hits in the backfield. He also blitzes well up the middle and forces quarterbacks to leave the pocket. He plays much tougher than his listed size suggests. Braylon was a shining star in Hilliard Darby's defense this season.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Linebacker</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">I covered Peter for his offensive performance earlier in the season, but he made his presence felt as a linebacker this season. He's excellent at sniffing out the run game. He gets early breaks and can plug up gaps quickly. He is a sideline-to-sideline defender who has no problem playing from a wide position. He's a fluid athlete in coverage and can make plays on the ball out of his break. Peter was a strong defender for the Vikings this season.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Linebacker</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jaylyn is one of several players who contributed to Franklin Heights' success this season. He's a great coverage linebacker. He flips his hips in coverage to break on balls like a defensive back. He is a good athlete who has no issue playing out wide and far away from the box. He's good in pursuit and is a sideline-to-sideline run defender. I hope other scouts see the talent I see in Jaylyn.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defensive Back</strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ayden has gotten a lot of attention in the area as one of Central Ohio's biggest risers this season. He's sticky in coverage and hard to shake away from. He's not afraid to be physical and is an excellent tackler against the run. Great skills to attack the ball, and can get rewarded interceptions at times. With the amount of young talent in Central Ohio at defensive back, Ayden unfortunately falls to second team, but I see him as one of Central Ohio's best underclassmen.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Defensive Back</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Jaylon earlier this season against Pickerington North, where he intercepted a pass. He's an excellent athlete. He can line up in press and break off down the field to cover deep. He has excellent hip rotation and rebound speed to cover in man coverage and make plays on the football. He may be undersized on paper, but he plays physically and isn't afraid to be on an island outside. Jaylon has been one of several defensive backs who have helped out the Tigers' defense. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Defensive Back</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jaxon did double duty for Newark Catholic, but I look at his defensive side more for this list. He's an excellent safety who can make plays on the ball. He's a good athlete who covers a lot of range in the secondary. He's got good closing rate speed and can get a hand on a ball late to force an incompletion. He's aggressive to the run, crashing down quickly to contain the rush. Jaxon was a shining star for the Green Wave.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Defensive Back</strong></strong></h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Nijhaun has been one of Central Ohio's rising ball hawks. At safety, he's has great play vision. He can break on the ball quickly and puts himself in a position to make a play. He covers a lot of range as a run defender, able to make important plays everywhere. Overall, he's a complete defender and could play in the nickel/dime backer position if needed. Nijhaun is one of Central Ohio's most slept on defensive backs.</p>

With the regular season in the books, several underclassmen in Central Ohio have made a name for themselves. Over this week, I will be releasing my personal All-Central Ohio Underclassmen teams for both offense and defense. First Team Offense and First Team Defense, as well as Second Team Offense, have already been released, so make sure to check them out to complete all the released teams! Today, we finish the All-Central Ohio Underclassmen teams with the release of my Second Team All-Central Ohio Defense. These are some of the bigger rising prospects in Central Ohio who fell just short of making the cut for the first team, but still deserve recognition and praise for their work in the regular season. Let's dive in.