High school football: Defensive Players to Watch

Bryson CravenHoward, defensive back, seniorThe 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback led Howard County with nine interceptions last year as the Lions reached the Class 4A state title game. He grabbed three in a 20-0 win over Mervo in the regional championship. Craven finished the season with 64 tackles. Also a wide receiver, he caught five touchdown passes.Darnell CreekBroadneck, defensive end, seniorThe 6-2, 240-pound Creek constantly hassles quarterbacks and coach Rob Harris expects him to increase the seven sacks he had last season. The first-team All-Metro selection has exceptional closing speed and made 27 of his 62 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He had 20 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and an interception.Victor DimukejeBoys' Latin, defensive end, seniorOne of the area's most sought after players has narrowed his college list to five, including Maryland, from about 35 offers. At 6-2, 248 pounds, Dimukeje can dominate off the edge. Ten of his 50 tackles went for a loss last fall and he had nine sacks. He doubles as an offensive lineman.Tyshon FoggCalvert Hall, linebacker, seniorAnother of the area's most highly-recruited players, the 6-2, 215-pound Fogg has committed to Rutgers. Known for his size and range, he had 74 tackles last season as well as four sacks and three forced fumbles. The No. 5 senior recruit in Maryland, according to the recruiting web site Rivals.com, Fogg had about 20 scholarship offers.Michael GibsonFranklin, linebacker, seniorThe first-team All-Metro selection will anchor the Indians' defense after breaking the school record for career tackles with 259. A disruptive 6-1, 190-pound outside linebacker, Gibson had 91 tackles, including 19 for a loss, five sacks and a forced fumble. With new roles on offensive and special teams, he won't leave the field much.Ahmad HarveyOld Mill, lineman, seniorA first-team All-Metro nose guard, Harvey is just 5-8 but 309 pounds and he excels at getting leverage under his opponent's pads. He played a key role in a Patriots' defense that allowed just 99 points last season. He had 33 tackles, including seven for a loss, as well as four forced fumbles.Malik HollowayDouglass, linebacker, seniorHolloway recorded 25 sacks last season at defensive end, but now he will spend more time at the position he's likely to play in college. The strength and explosiveness of the 6-2, 216 pound second-team All-Metro pick make him a great blitzer, but he is working on his pass drop to become a complete outside linebacker.Cameron HoughAnnapolis, linebacker, seniorOne of few returning starters on the Panthers' defense, the 6-1, 220-pound Hough is also a converted defensive end. Last fall, he had six sacks, a forced fumble and eight of his 24 tackles for a loss and he'll bring that same disruptive force to linebacker. Also a running back, he gained 720 yards and 10 touchdowns.Aaron JohnsonMount Saint Joseph, linebacker, seniorJohnson seemed ready for a breakout season last fall with two sacks and seven solo tackles in two games before mononucleosis sidelined him for the rest of the year. Coach Rich Holzer expects his 6-1, 205-pound middle linebacker to emerge as a top A Conference player. Johnson aims to play in the Ivy League.PJ MustipherMcDonogh, lineman, juniorWrestling, as well as hitting the weight room, helped the 6-5, 300-pound defensive tackle add even more strength. Mustipher had 14 sacks last fall and 18 of his 45 tackles went a loss. Also an offensive guard, he is rated the No. 1 junior recruit in Maryland by Rivals.com and has more than 50 offers.Other notablesMarcel Allen, Milford MillGreg Benton, Long ReachChance Campbell, Calvert HallHenry Cook, South CarrollBrandon Cooper, Milford MillSam Count, AtholtonAntonio DiCerbo, GilmanDrew Ehrlich, GilmanAndrew Frailer, McDonoghTrey Glover, CatonsvilleMason Grimm, Old MillJquane Harris, Milford MillDurrell Johnson, OverleaJ.T. Kidd, North HarfordChrys Lane, DundalkKenard Lee, DulaneyKenneth Lewis, Loyola BlakefieldMuddy McHemba, HowardCooper McGeehan, River HillD'Ahmad Miller, St. FrancesMike Nash, HerefordDarius Nicholas, Wilde LakeJasen Parkins, AtholtonJames Patterson, St. Vincent PallottiDonnie Place, HowardBrock Sassler, Boys' LatinVinnie Shaffer, Archbishop CurleyTerrell Smith, St. FrancesAvery Thurman, DunbarJosh Turner, FranklinIsaiah Watson, Calvert HallDaniel Webber, Bel Air

High school football: Defensive Players to Watch

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