Vote: Who should be the South Florida football Defensive Player of the Year?
For all the explosive offenses that are on display in South Florida football, the fact remains, playing strong defense still helps win football championships.
That again proved true with three South Florida schools claiming state titles: Chaminade-Madonna (Class 1M), St. Thomas Aquinas (Class 3M) and Columbus (Class 4M).
All three boast stingy defenses.
Chaminade rolled over Clearwater Central Catholic, 56-0, in the state finals. Columbus held a high-powered Jacksonville Mandarin team to under 20 points, and won, 38-19, in the title game. St. Thomas held Homestead scoreless in the first half, which was essential in a high-scoring second half, and held on for a 31-28, victory in its championship game.
With the football season now concluded, SBLive Sports Florida is recognizing top defenders in our South Florida Defensive Player of the Year poll. Voting will end on Thursday, Januarary 4th at 11:59 p.m.
You can vote as often as you want, and please, spread the word!
Here are the nominees:
Gabriel Birnbaum, DE, Monarch: With 21-1/2 sacks, and 80 tackles, Birnbaum was one of the top defensive players in Broward County. The senior signed with Florida Atlantic University.
Armondo Blount, DE, Miami Central: A force on the defensive line, Blount logged 11 sacks, and 58 tackles. The five-star signed with the Miami Hurricanes, flipping from FSU on signing day.
Kedrick Burley, DE/OLB, St. Thomas Aquinas: A dominant defender, Burley recorded 25 sacks, and had 29 hurries, and he recovered a fumble.
Germaine Carter, DL, Miami Norland: A run-stopper, Carter logged 52 tackles, and in the process added eight sacks. Carter is signed with Florida International University.
Ben Hanks Jr., DB, Booker T. Washington: A standout cover back, Hanks picked off three passes, and averaged 52.3 yards per interception return. The junior also recovered a fumble, returning it 70 yards.
Bryce Fitzgerald, DB, Columbus: The junior four-star defender really established himself as a difference maker in the playoffs, picking off three passes in one game, and two in another.
Ryan Geary, LB, Cypress Bay: A captain on a talented Cypress Bay team, Geary finished with 91 tackles, with 15.5 for losses, including 4 ½ sacks, and he scored a touchdown.
Xavier Lucas, CB, American Heritage: Each week, Lucas drew the opponents’ top receiver, and the Wisconsin signee, picked off four passes.
Lewon Lurry Jr., DE, Miami Northwestern: Just a junior, Lurry is one of the top pass rushers in Miami-Dade County, registering 15 sacks.
Gavench Marcelin, DE, Miami Belen Jesuit: Closing out his senior season, Marcelin, a Florida Atlantic signee, racked up 21 sacks.
Julian Mendez, LB, Western: With 91 tackles, Mendez was a force on the Wildcats’ defense. The junior also tallied 16 sacks.
Shamar Meilke, DE, Miramar: At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Meilke was a standout on the defensive front, logging 16 ½ sacks. The senior also finished his season with 80 tackles.
Eduardo Nunez, LB, Homestead: A defensive leader, Nunez played a big part in the Broncos reaching the state finals in back-to-back years, compiling 105 tackles on the season, with 30 for losses, as well as three interceptions.
Kaleb Stewart, DE/LB, Chaminade-Madonna: A UCONN signee, Stewart racked up 92 tackles, averaging 7.7 per game, as well as four sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
Brendan Leal, LB, Western: Capping his senior season, Leal logged 118 tackles, including 74 solo.
Ezekiel “EJ” Marcelin, LB, Miami Central: Just a junior, Marcelin established himself as one of the best defenders in the state, logging 94 tackles, including 11 sacks.
Willis McGahee IV, OLB, Columbus: With 14 sacks and 12 hurries, McGahee was one of the best pass rushers in the state. The four-star, who signed with Nebraska, closed out his prep career with a state title.
Zaquan Patterson, DB, Chaminade-Madonna: The four-star DB signed with the Miami Hurricanes after logging six interceptions and 47 tackles, and winning yet another state title.
Griffin Pomper, LB, NSU University: The junior logged 119 tackles, with three sacks and four hurries.
Nicholas Rodriguez, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas: A leader on a championship Raiders’ squad, Rodriguez recorded 114 tackles, with 15 tackles for losses. The senior has signed with Missouri.
Dwayne Wimbley Jr., DE, Westminster Academy: A standout wide receiver and defensive end, Wimbley had a huge season, with 40 tackles, and 8 ½ sacks.
