One of the top tacklers in the state, Christian Magliacano Christian Magliacano 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 NJ had an impressive defensive performance in 2023 for St. Thomas Aquinas. Racking up 162 total tackles and finding the quarterback two times, Christian was a menace to every ball carrier. He has the capability to decleat every runner with the amount of speed he builds up as he approaches them. With his speed, he is able to force the runner to take it to the outside where they usually don’t prevail in evading him. Colgate is getting themself a special talent in Christian.

It seems like for the last two seasons Christian Magliacano Christian Magliacano 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 NJ has been good for 20+ tackles a game. Part of this is attributed to Magliacano’s great form tackling where he is adept at using leverage to his advantage. I would describe Magliacano as an instinctual player. I say this because the 2024 graduate made countless tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His instincts and resulting success has to do with, at least partly, how he reads his keys as clear as day. Once in the backfield, Magliacano is a nimble enough athlete to change directions and zero in on ball carriers trying to dance in the hole. Similarly, when blitzing against the pass, he can make linemen miss when they are in their pass pro. When stunting, Magliacano does a great job of timing them. Magliacano did include some clips of him in pass coverage. It seems as though he understands his team’s defensive scheme and were he needs to be in coverage; however, more clips – particularly in man coverage – would not hurt.

Magliacano was one of the most active linebackers all season long. In St. Thomas Aquinas’ 13-10 home loss to DePaul he was a little more active than usual. Magliacano made 15 tackles in this game – 11 of which were solo stops; however, he mixed it up a bit more on offense. Magliacano scored the Trojans’ only touchdown of the game when he went for a long 58-yard screen play.

Magliacano is leading a staunch Trojan defense for St. Thomas Aquinas that has only let up 27 points through four games thus far. A playmaker in his own right, the senior has been credited with 52 total tackles. He makes plenty of plays for loss too, having made 15 tackles in the backfield, 2 sacks, forcing 1 fumble, and blocking 1 kick so far. Magliacano also contributes on offense to the tune of 97 yards and 1 score on 7 attempts.

My first two top run-stuffing defenders actually faced off against one another. Magliacano and his Trojans of St. Thomas Aquinas came out on top, however, defeating Summit 44-20. The senior linebacker led the way for STA to the tune of 21 tackles, 5 of which were solo, and forced 1 fumble in the sure victory. Magliacano is off to a hot start as STA is 4-0 and has let up only 27 points across 4 games.