Vote now: Who is the top returning defensive end in Northern Central Florida for 2023?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best-returning defensive ends in high school football for the 2023 season in Northern Central Florida.

Our list includes some of the best in the region and players who proved to be invaluable to their teams last season in making key tackles and sacks at the end of the game, delivering big hits or helping lead the defense as the top tackler in the area.

There are plenty of worthy names on this list, so be sure to vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning defensive ends for the upcoming season. Voting will close on August 31st, just in time for the start of the regular season. 

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Voting ends Aug. 31, 2023

Andrew Zock, North Marion: Northern Central Florida’s top edge rusher made quite the name for himself in the 2022 season. Zock had 58 tackles, 28.5 for a loss and 19 sacks for the Colts.

Logan McCloud, Newberry: Just a sophomore last season, McCloud made plenty of noise along the defensive line for the Panthers. The edge rusher had 76 tackles, 17 for a loss and 18 sacks. 

Jonathan Adams, Chiefland: One of the best freshman defensive lineman returns to the Indians after piling up some good numbers. Adams notched 58 tackles, 23.5 for loss and 14.5 sacks. 

Kain McDonald, P.K. Yonge: Getting to the passer was something the Blue Wave will try and do a better job of this fall and McDonald returning helps a lot. Last season as a sophomore, he had 26 tackles and three for loss. 

Jaiden Trengrove, Trinity Catholic: Previously at Belleview a season ago, Trengrove was a menace as a sophomore rusher. Trengrove totaled 36 tackles and five for a loss. 

Bryton Russ, The Villages: The 6-foot-3, 210-pound end also punts for the Buffalo. Russ comes back as one of The Villages top defenders in 2023. 

John Derose, Dunnellon: In Derose’s junior season, the defensive end was able to put up some good numbers for the Tigers. Last season, Derose notched 15 tackles, four for a loss and three sacks. 

Claude Whitford, Eastside: The Rams’ defense was tough up on the front seven and Whitford was solid piece to the puzzle. Whitford had 17 tackles, seven for loss and 3.5 sacks. 

Kendall Jackson, Buchholz: It was a special season for the Bobcats last season and especially on the defensive side. Jackson returning will help shore up the defense as he notched six sacks a season ago. 

Demetri Perry, Hawthorne: Playing opposite of Jailen Ruth provides for plenty of opportunities to make a play on defense. Perry should have some big numbers this fall after nabbing 59 tackles with eight for a loss. 

Jadarius Cherry, Suwannee: The Bulldogs are coming off a 10-3 campaign in 2022 and the defense was the backbone of the team. Cherry returns to the front seven after getting 40 tackles and six sacks last season. 

Amarie Fleming, Lafayette: As a junior edge rusher for the Hornets, Fleming had himself a strong 2022 campaign. Fleming notched 67 tackles, 28 for loss and 10 sacks. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.