FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Robert Nkemdiche, DL, 6-5, 270, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Arguably the nation’s most athletic player, Nkemdiche’s work on the defensive line and at running back was the clear catalyst for Grayson’s magical season.

Jonathan Allen, DL, 6-3, 225, Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.)
Allen followed up a sensational sophomore year with an equally impressive junior campaign. He was an All-Met pick, recording 102 tackles, 15 sacks and seven blocked kicks.

D.J. Ward, DL, 6-4, 235, Lawton (Okla.)
The only junior to make the Oklahoman’s All-State first team (despite being listed as a senior), Ward made 75 tackles and posted 11 sacks in his third varsity season.

Rod Crayton, DL, 6-1, 250, Dadeville (Ala.)
A Class 4A all-state pick and the Opelika Auburn News Defensive Player of the Year, Crayton registered 162 tackles, 10 sacks and 40 quarterback hurries.

E.J. Levenberry, LB, 6-3, 215, Hylton (Woodbridge, Va.)
Levenberry made 151 tackles and forced eight fumbles as he earned All-Met honors.

Demarkus Lathan, LB, 5-9, 180,  Longview (Texas)
The Class 5A Defensive MVP, Lathan was a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He made 188 tackles, three sacks and blocked two kicks.

Trey Johnson, LB, 6-1, 215, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Auburn
An all-county pick by the Gwinnett Daily Post, Johnson registered a whopping 164 tackles to go along with six sacks.

Su'a Cravens, LB, 6-2, 205, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)
Cravens was arguably the top player in the Inland Empire as a junior. He had 11 sacks, three interceptions and 19 touchdowns.

Reuben Foster, LB, 6-2, 228, Troup County (LaGrange, Ga.), Alabama
The Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year was all over the field. He made 185 tackles and 14 sacks.

William Likely, DB, 5-8, 175, Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Arguably the most impressive player in Palm Beach County, Likely helped Glades Central to a 12-1 record and was the Palm Beach Post’s Small School Defensive Player of the Year.

Antonio Conner, DB, 6-2, 195, South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)
Conner played all over the field for South Panola. For the second year in a row, he earned all-state honors from the Clarion Ledger.

Tray Matthews, DB, 6-1, 190, Newnan (Ga.), Georgia
An all-area pick by the Newnan Times-Herald, Matthews made 74 tackles and intercepted two passes.

Marcell Harris, DB, 6-2, 195, South Lake (Groveland, Fla.)
An all-area pick by the Orlando Sentinel, Harris was dominant roaming the secondary. He made 92 tackles, forced four fumbles and recovered three. He also made three interceptions, blocked five kicks and scored two special teams touchdowns.

Devin Wilson, P, 6-4, 175, Montour (McKees Rocks, Pa.)
Wilson was an all-state pick at receiver but also handled punt responsibilities for one of the top teams in AAA this season.