The NW's Best Freshman Lineup (2029) "Defense"

With the rankings just being released for the 2029 class, we take a look at the NW in its entirety featuring the region's top offense and defense. This won't be completely recruiting based although it is a key factor in the selections. Have a look as we compare both sides of the ball and who might have the advantage if they were to compete.          OFFENSE: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-best-freshman-lineup-2029-offense/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-best-freshman-lineup-2029-offense/</a>         DL [player_tooltip player_id='1969806' first='Kitiona' last='Tupua'] 6-2 285 Puyallup WA OFFERS (7) Texas A/M, Washington, Utah, Minnesota   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1705963' first='Ronan' last='Crawford'] 6-6 255 West Linn OR   DL [player_tooltip player_id='2131663' first='Ben' last='Sedillo'] 6-4 300 Nelson OR   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1557829' first='Miguel' last='Martinez'] 6-1 235 Emerald Ridge WA   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1397377' first='Andrew' last='Peapea'] 6-2 225 Federal Way WA OFFERS (1) UNLV   LB [player_tooltip player_id='2133898' first='Rayden' last='Shanks'] 6-4 185 Bethel WA   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1732245' first='Zaire' last='McCrae'] 6-2 180 Willamette OR   LB [player_tooltip player_id='2133900' first='Toa' last='Tunai'] 6-0 180 North Thurston WA   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1557819' first='Romiece' last='Taviuni'] 5-9 185 Lakes WA     CB [player_tooltip player_id='1397388' first='Ahmire' last='Rooters-Hart'] 6-0 175 Mount Tahoma  WA   CB [player_tooltip player_id='2054820' first='TyVelle' last='Hill'] 5-11 165 Roosevelt OR   CB [player_tooltip player_id='2133976' first='Noah' last='Starr'] 6-1 160 Kamiakin WA   CB [player_tooltip player_id='1557993' first='Justin' last='Powell'] 5-10 165 Nelson OR   S [player_tooltip player_id='1397322' first='Marquis' last='Tovia'] 6-3 185 Chief Sealth WA   S [player_tooltip player_id='2133899' first='Elijah' last='Shaw'] 5-11 165 Bellarmine Prep WA   S [player_tooltip player_id='2079670' first='George' last='Woods'] 5-9 175 Graham Kapowsin WA   S [player_tooltip player_id='2090232' first='Amir' last='Harris'] 5-11 180 Willamette OR         DEFENSE: [player_tooltip player_id='1969806' first='Kitiona' last='Tupua'] is currently blowing up nationally and could be one of the top ranked defenders in America when all is said and done. As of right now I would probably consider Puyallup the region's #1 ranked team heading into next year. 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='1705963' first='Ronan' last='Crawford'] of West Linn might have something to say about that with the Lions representing the NW as well as anybody the last few years. He could also be listed on the offensive side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1557829' first='Miguel' last='Martinez'] of Emerald Ridge has phenomenal film with [player_tooltip player_id='2131663' first='Ben' last='Sedillo'] of Nelson being built like a house. Each will project as 1st team all-league guys next season.    Moving on to the LB's [player_tooltip player_id='1397377' first='Andrew' last='Peapea'] has already landed his first D1 offer from UNLV. He will lead the Federal Way D, one of the most intriguing Washington programs with such a young group of talented prospects. 6-4 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='2133898' first='Rayden' last='Shanks'] is the other freshman who could blow up in the coming months. We've talked about him a lot recently, including on the ESPN radio show, with Bethel producing some of the top backers anywhere in recent years.    [player_tooltip player_id='1557819' first='Romiece' last='Taviuni'] of Lakes was a 1st team all-league selection as a freshman playing more of a strong safety role. He has the potential of being a top RB as well. Also noteworthy is [player_tooltip player_id='2133900' first='Toa' last='Tunai'] of North Thurston who has some of the best varsity film of any player in Washington. He was a 2nd team all-conference pick.    The DB's run deep in the region with a total of eight corners and safeties being highlighted.  [player_tooltip player_id='1397388' first='Ahmire' last='Rooters-Hart'] was a key all conference contributor for a Mount Tahoma team that reached the state title game, with Team Lillard featuring two of the young CB prospects in the west in [player_tooltip player_id='2133976' first='Noah' last='Starr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1557993' first='Justin' last='Powell'].   Probably the most underrated recruit as of right now is TyVell Hill of Roosevelt who garnered 1st team all PIL accolades as a freshman. He's also a standout on the basketball floor and will likely have to make a decision there at some point.    [player_tooltip player_id='1397322' first='Marquis' last='Tovia'] is super legit and a guy that not a lot of people know about (yet). The 1st team all- conference WR could end up a 6-4 D1 safety. [player_tooltip player_id='2133899' first='Elijah' last='Shaw'] of Bellarmine Prep is one of my new favorite players. Watch the film and you will see why.    Two other individuals who excelled as freshman at the varsity level include [player_tooltip player_id='2079670' first='George' last='Woods'] of GK and [player_tooltip player_id='2090232' first='Amir' last='Harris'] of Willamette. Woods has D1 genes and made 46 tackles on the year, with Harris stepping up big for one of Oregon's fastest rising 6A programs with 30+ tackles.          ADVANTAGE: I would have to give the advantage to the offense, but by a slim margin. Both the offensive and defensive line are big strengths for each team. The O line has unreal size and talent (Two top 20 lineman in the country), but the D counters nicely with Tupua and the 6-6 Crawford.    The Washington WR's would likely be the X factor in this mock matchup with the 6-4 Suega, and multiple other D1 offered guys, to go with a 6-5 TE in Donnelly.