Vote: Who should be the South Florida Defensive Player of the Week (10/30/2023)?
If playing sound defense indeed wins championships, it’s easy to see why South Florida has racked up so much hardware through the years.
A common thread among so many state title contenders this past weekend is they played sound defense. Miami Central, American Heritage, St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade-Madonna each posted shutouts.
Here at SBLive Sports Florida, each week, we recognize the top defensive performers in our South Florida Defensive Player of the Week poll. Vote as often as you’d like, and spread the word! Voting ends Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week's poll.
(Reminder: Coaches, players, schools are encouraged to submit their nominees to @JoeFrisaro on X)
Congratulations to last week's winner: Belal "Juju" Logan of NSU University.
Here are this week's nominations:
Gabriel Birnbaum, LB, Monarch: Birnbaum has been one of the top defensive players in Broward County, and the Florida Atlantic commit proved it again with two sacks and a fumble recovery in the Knights’ 48-0 win against Coral Springs.
Mandrell Desir, LB, Miami Norland: Strong defense has been a staple for Norland all season, and it was again in a 54-7 rout of North Miami Beach. We could have picked any number of players from the Vikings’ defense from this game. We’re going with Desir, who had a fumble recovery.
Brooklyn Diaz, DB, Doral Academy: Doral Academy enjoyed an impressive, 42-3, win against Miami High. Diaz had an interception for the Firebirds.
Camden Franklin, LB, Piper: For the first time since 2001, Piper is celebrating a district championship. The Bengals upset Plantation, 24-21, to capture the Class 3M-District 12 crown. The victory was sealed in the final four minutes when Franklin recovered a fumble at Piper’s 12-yard line.
Joel Lettsome, LB, Plantation: The Colonels lost a tough one to Piper in the district championship. In the second half, with Piper driving, Lettsome recovered a fumble near midfield. Plantation was able to convert the turnover into its lone touchdown in the second half.
Ryan Mack, DB, St. Thomas Aquinas: In locking up another Class 3M-District 11 title with a 58-0 win over Dillard, St. Thomas dominated in all phases. Mack had a 12-yard interception for a touchdown.
Stephen Mccloud, LB, True North Classical Academy (Miami): The Titans shut out John Carroll Catholic (Fort Pierce), 41-0. The Class 1M-District 7 champs received a stellar defensive performance from Mccloud, a senior, who had 10 tackles and two sacks.
Jaiden Roper, LB, Cardinal Gibbons: The Chiefs have won four straight games, and their defense has been a big part of the hot streak. Roper picked off a pass in Cardinal Gibbons’ 44-24 win over Stranahan.
Darius Smith, DB, Chaminade-Madonna: The Lions devoured St. John Paul II Academy, 70-0. Any number of Chaminade defenders are worthy of consideration. We’re going with Smith, who had a 33-yard interception for a touchdown and was credited with three passes defensed.
Omar Thornton, LB, American Heritage Plantation: Thornton has been one of the top defenders in South Florida, and he stepped up once again in a 55-0 rout of Hallandale. The senior had a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown, and added five tackles, with two sacks.
Jayvin Tilgham, DT, Miami Central: The Rockets swarmed over Monsignor Pace, 62-0. Among many defensive standouts was Tilgham, who had six tackles, with four for losses, and three sacks.
