SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top 10 defensive players to watch heading into the upcoming 2024 high school football season in West Texas:
Brylan White, Wall, Sr.
The 6-foot, 220-pound White was a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line for the Hawks, where he earned honorable mention on the Class 3A all-state team. The District 2-3A Division II Lineman of the Year had 89 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Offensive linemen will have their hands full again trying to slow him down this year.
Brylan White had 89 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks last year for the Wall Hawks.
Clancy Osbourn, Mason, Jr.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Osbourn packs a punch at inside linebacker for Mason. He had over 100 tackles in 12 games last season as a sophomore and was named third-team all-state. He led a Punchers defense that held six opponents last year to seven points or less.
Ethan Michalewicz, Wall, Sr.
Michalewicz was a tackling machine for the Hawks last year with 126 tackles and 6 sacks from his linebacker position. He was named the Defensive MVP of District 2-3A Division II. He helped lead a Wall defense that allowed only 9 points per game.
Wall linebacker Ethan Michalewicz makes a tackle against Early in 2023.
Dylan Ford, Sonora, Sr.
Ford may be best known as a state champion in golf, but he also earned honorable mention on the Class 2A all-state team last year as a defensive back. He had 37 tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack. He should be one of the area's biggest defensive playmakers again this fall.
Mason Van Sickle, San Angelo Central, Jr.
Van Sickle racked up 101 tackles - including 68 solos - in 10 games last year for the Bobcats in a breakout sophomore campaign. He had 9 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. On a defense that allowed 46 points per game, Van Sickle was a bright spot and earned second-team all-district recognition.
Billy Perry, Richland Springs, Jr.
Perry was one of the best defenders in the state last year at the Class 1A Division II level. He was named first-team all-state as a defensive lineman, and he was the Defensive MVP of his region. He was also a second-team all-region running back for the Coyotes.
Parker Posey, Irion County, Sr.
Posey was one of the most disruptive defenders in West Texas last year at any level. In 11 games, he had a whopping 151 tackles with 7 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. He was named a first-team all-region linebacker and the Defensive MVP of his district. He was also a second-team all-region fullback. Not surprisingly, he was named second-team all-state as a utility back.
Sire Garcia, Grape Creek, Jr.
Garcia quickly made a name for himself last year as a sophomore, recording 68 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions. He was named the District 2-3A Division II Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
Bryan Gonzales, Junction, Jr.
Gonzales was in on 125 tackles in 11 games last year as a sophomore. Along with linebacker Crue Levien (96 tackles) and defensive lineman Sergio Ochoa (42 tackles, 3 sacks), Gonzales will anchor a Junction defense that returns all 11 starters from last year's 6-5 team. The Eagles enter the season ranked No. 20 in the state in Class 2A Division II.
Lucas Martinez, Robert Lee, Sr.
Martinez was named second-team all-region for the Steers last season after posting 56 tackles from his nose guard position. The 5-foot-9, 245-pound Martinez gives Robert Lee a formidable presence on its defensive front.
OTHER AREA STANDOUTS
Brayan Sandoval, San Angelo Central, Jr.
Jaekob Jackson, San Angelo Central, Jr.
Riley Oines, San Angelo Central, Soph.
Damien Luna, San Angelo Lake View, Sr.
Isaac Monreal, San Angelo Lake View, Sr.
Grayson Bond, Grape Creek, Sr.
Gauge Evans, Brady, Sr.
Nasir Menefield, Brady, Soph.
Garren Wiggins, Wall, Sr.
Caleb Braden, Wall, Sr.
Jacob Braden, Wall, Jr.
Jose Guerra, Sonora, Jr.
Cason Boggs, Sonora, Jr.
Ethan Busch, Christoval, Sr.
Israel Bogs, Christoval, Jr.
Eli Burchett, Christoval, Jr.
Jacoby Ramos, Ozona, Jr.
Jaylen Hernandez, Ballinger, Sr.
Hunter Bradley, Mason, Sr.
Cannon Jacoby, Mason, Sr.
Matthew Martinez-King, Mason, Sr.
Junior Gomez, Mason, Sr.
Damarion Ausbie, Forsan, Sr.
Juan Patino, San Saba, Jr.
Winton Lackey, San Saba, Sr.
Levi Glover, San Saba, Sr.
Skyler Minshew, Bangs, Sr.
Cason Tidwell, Bangs, Jr.
Jaxon Petillo, Miles, Sr.
Jarrett Brown, Reagan County, Sr.
Crue Levien, Junction, Jr.
Hunter Tucker, Veribest, Sr.
Caleb McIntire, Bronte, Sr.
Raymond Williams, Bronte, Jr.
Joel Pena, Bronte, Jr.
Elijah Rodriguez, Paint Rock, Jr.
Joey Hernandez, Paint Rock, Sr.
Boston Wiese, Water Valley, Jr.
Jayden Payton, Menard, Jr.
Justin Lopez, Rochelle, Sr.
Colton Lawdermilk, Iron County, Sr.
Barrett Brock, Lohn, Sr.
Note: Some of our area's top defensive players may have already appeared on our other Top 10 lists, which can be found here:
MORE: Top 10 Quarterbacks to Watch in 2024
MORE: Top 10 Running Backs to Watch in 2024
MORE: Top 10 Wide Receivers to Watch in 2024
MORE: Top 10 Offensive Linemen to Watch in 2024
MORE: West Texas Football 2024 District Predictions
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