2011 TOP DEFENSIVE UNITS

DEFENSIVE LINE

1 Tampa Bay Tech.

I introduce you now to a few names you better get use to hearing: DE Andrew Green, DE Tony Guerad and DT Jevon Fripp. These are the goons who ride with the big dog, Kadesh Reaves. A monster of a defensive line that average nearly 260 pounds. Two speedsters on the edge and two bulldozers on the inside.

2 Hillsborough
Terriers will depend on the strength and size of the big man up front, Earl Moore. The 2012 Miami commit has been a BCP top player since his sophomore season. 2013 defensive end, Jordan Sherit will lend a hand to the Terrier defensive cause. Sherit is fast, long and aggressive. Great inside/outside combo.

3 Armwood
Armwood probably will not stay at the #3 spot for long as the Hawks traditionally have the best defensive line in the Tampa Bay Area, sometimes the state. But for now, Allen Covington and Freddy Martin will have to kick over the #2 and #1 teams to claim the thrown. Both are long, talented defensive ends that will force plenty of action to second year starting defensive tackle, Sheldon Lewinson (Wake Forest commit).

4 Jesuit
2013 prospects Brad Smith, Robby Garcia and Cameron Ruff will create a three headed monster this year for Jesuit. Ruff is probably the alpha Tiger of the bunch at 6-3/260lbs, but Smith and Garcia bring energy and drive. Offensive lineman, Isaac Edwards and TE, Vincent Jackson will add depth to the Jesuit defensive front.

5 Plant City
The Raider defensive front line up could actually be ranked higher than 5 based off how good they look on paper, but regardless, they are a talented unit. DE Jose Guerrero and defensive tackles Devin Salmon and Montel McBride are big, strong and aggressive. Both Guerrero and McBride are tops in the county while Salmon will make our watch list.

LINE BACKERS

1 Plant

Athleticism is not the strongest quality of the Plant line backing crew, but discipline and playmaking is. Mike Tate, Tate Rogers and OLB/DE Mitchell Wright are as good as they come at filling gaps, scraping to the ball and tackling in space.

2 Armwood
Armwood hits 2011 with 3 new starters that will look at senior Eric Striker for leadership. Striker’s body of work over his career is well documented, but inside line backers Keion Baines and Marcus Jacobs look like two pit bulls that have been chained up too long. Both have the size and ability to be some of the best backers to play for Armwood.

3 Tampa Catholic
TC has been criticized for not playing the strongest of competition. However, you can’t knock the talent they have. Senior ILB Alec Maughan and OLB Zach Dier have plenty of big game experience. 2014 youngster, TJ Harrell, will be a big name in a few years.

4 Gaither
Surprise here? Could be…but, the Cowboys have some 6 shooters. The head of gang would be Josh Scarberry. Scarberry moves to OLB/SS with Max Pautler. Jamari Cord, Logan Marshall and Matt Williams will take care of the inside duties. All three of the inside backers are underclassmen who can run and have a nose for the ball.

5 Largo
You can’t mention line backers without mentioning Derrick Doss and the boys at Largo. The 2013 ATH, Derrick Doss is a flying missile. He has two youngsters around him that have the talent to make Largo tough to run on. Sophomores Frankie Hernandez and Javon Stewart are both 6-0/190lbs and pack a mean punch.

SECONDARY

1 Plant

Discipline always beats athleticism in the secondary. But, the Panther unit has both. Seniors Drew Madhu, Antonio Crawford and Keneen Stalls are darn good. All have championship game experience. Paris Bostic has had a great summer and will complete and already stellar group.

2 Hillsborough
Jeremiah Green, Anthony Brown and Evan Jennings provide a Hillsborough with a secondary that has 3 Division 1 studs. Armaud Herndon completes the Terrier unit. All return as starters that have played plenty of games together.

3 Armwood
The better the defensive line, the better the defensive secondary. The Hawks have speed and skill in their back 4. Jarvis McCall and Leon McQuay III, will head a unit that plays fast and mean. Sophomore Kyle Gibson will start at free safety, Gearian Brown slides at the opposite corner of McCall and Shannon Smith will be a great swing man.

4 Tampa Bay Tech.
I would put Major Bloom and Tres Stewart up against any CB combo in the area. Add Devaun Stephen, Charles Bryant and Middleton transfer, Armani Sampson and now you have a pretty good “No Fly Zone” for opposing QBs and receivers.

5 Lakewood
The #5 spot was tough to determine. Plant City, East Lake and Countryside all had strong cases. But, the Spartans grab the number #5 slot with game changers. CB Javaris Little and S Rodney Adams are big time players. CB Shaquill Griffin and S Shaquem Griffin are tough against the run.