Vote Now: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Football Defensive Player of the Year for 2023?

Defensive players held their own this season in Central Florida. Whether making big stops, sacks, pick-6s, scoop-and-scores or other game-turning plays, athletes turned in highlight-reel performances for their schools, fans, and recruiters.

We looked at teams from Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties and nominated 26 athletes for the SBLive Central Florida Defensive Football Player of the Year for 2023. We examined statistics, leadership ability, how successful they were in the regular season, and how far they took their team in the postseason in determining the candidates.

We ask you, the fan, to decide who should be the top player selected. Voting will conclude on December 31st at 11:59 p.m.

Congratulations to last week's Player of the Week winner: SBLive congratulates Melbourne Central Catholic NG/G Noah Ostrander for winning the Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 17, 2023.

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. The 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.

Here are the nominees:

Michael McClenton, Middle Linebacker/Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Ocoee: Sophomore transfer from Lake Mary (6-foot, 225 pounds) made an immediate impact for the Knights, making a whopping 202 tackles, 137 solo, 45 tackles for loss and 31 sacks. His 200-plus tackles ranked among the best in the nation.

Johnny Wright, Linebacker, Melbourne: Tough senior recorded 155 tackles, 92 solo, and seven tackles for loss to rank among the top tacklers on the Space Coast.

Samadrae Hawkins, Middle Linebacker, Cocoa: Superb defender was a huge reason for the Tigers’ success this season, making 139 tackles, 93 solo, 21 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in leading Cocoa to back-to-back Class 3S state championships.

Louis Figueroa, Linebacker, Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee): Made 130 tackles, 12 solo, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks for the Tigers, who finished 6-5 and won their bowl game.

DJ McCormick, Outside Linebacker/Middle Linebacker, Rockledge: The UCF commit had a stellar season for the Class 3S playoff participant Raiders, finishing with 114 tackles, 64 solo, and 2.5 sacks.

Solomon Tripline, Middle Linebacker/Outside Linebacker, Edgewater (Orlando): Consistent senior guided the Eagles to their second consecutive unbeaten regular season, 11-1 record and Class 3 Metro playoff appearance, making 113 tackles, 22 solo, 16 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Jerard Smith, Middle Linebacker/Outside Linebacker, Dr. Phillips (Orlando): Senior recorded 111 tackles, 39 solo, and six tackles for loss in leading the Panthers to a 7-5 record and the Class 4M playoffs.

Jake Kreul, Defensive End/Tight End, Bishop Moore: Super sophomore (6-3, 225) made a whopping 17 sacks, 76 tackles, 55 solo, and a staggering 34 tackles for loss in leading the Hornets to a 9-4 record and the Class 2M playoffs.

Preston Kuznof, RB/LB, Atlantic (Port Orange): Superb two-way senior recorded an impressive 14 sacks, 46 tackles, 29 solo, and 18 tackles for loss in leading the Sharks to the Class 2S state playoffs.

Dre Hill, Defensive End, Outside Linebacker, Spruce Creek (Port Orange): Junior made 51 tackles, 33 solo, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks to lead the Hawks to a 7-4 record and a Class 4S playoff berth.

Stanley Ihekwoaba, Defensive End, Orlando Christian Prep: Recorded a whopping 14 sacks, 48 tackles, 41 solo, five tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries in leading the Warriors to a 10-2 record and the Class 1M playoffs.

LJ McCray, TE/DE, Mainland (Daytona Beach): The 6-6, 265-pound Florida commit enjoyed a stellar season with 77 tackles, 48 solo, 37 tackles for loss and a whopping 13 sacks through 13 games in leading the Buccaneers to the Class 3S state championship.

Xaver Lherisse, Defensive Back, Eau Gallie (Melbourne): Superb sophomore made 68 tackles, 42 solo, a whopping eight interceptions for 182 return yards, and two fumble recoveries in leading the Commodores to a 10-2 record, their first-ever district championship, and a Class 3S playoff berth.

Jalen Bell, Strong Safety, Osceola (Kissimmee): Senior delivered a strong season for the Kowboys with 60 tackles, 33 solo, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, six interceptions, and one fumble recovery. His efforts helped Osceola make the Class 4S playoffs.

TJ Alford, Linebacker, Vero Beach: Junior made 87 tackles, 47 solo, 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception to lead the Indians to a 9-3 record and a Class 4S playoff berth.

Preston Watson, Defensive Tackle/Defensive End, Seminole (Sanford): Duke commit had a stellar senior season with 70 tackles, 29 solo, 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery to lead the Seminoles to a 10-3 record and a Class 4M playoff berth.

Bryson Blanford, Free Safety/Outside Linebacker, Oviedo: The senior hybrid athlete recorded 78 tackles, 39 solo, 13 tackles for loss, three interceptions and one fumble recovery to lead the Lions to an 8-3 record and the Class 3M playoffs.

Luke Prieto, Linebacker, Lake Mary: Scrappy junior made a whopping 91 tackles, 33 solo, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and four fumble recoveries in leading the Rams to a 10-2 record and the Class 4M playoffs.

Andrew Bowles, Middle Linebacker/Outside Linebacker, Lake Minneola: Gritty senior made 80 tackles, 30 solo, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception in leading the Hawks to a 9-4 record and the Class 4S playoffs.

Zsacari Minnis, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Eustis: Senior turned in a strong year with 88 tackles, 39 solo, 19.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and three fumble recoveries for the Class 2S playoff participant Panthers (7-4).

Connor Calfy, Middle Linebacker/Fullback, Mount Dora Christian: Senior led the Bulldogs to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Class 5A title by making 81 tackles, 18 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries.

Robert Trebnik, Running Back/Outside Linebacker/Strong Safety, Melbourne Central Catholic: Recorded 87 tackles, 61 solo, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and one fumble recovery in leading the Hustlers to a 9-3 record and the Class 1S state playoffs.

Jonathan Tumblin, Inside Linebacker/Running Back, Sebastian River: Senior had a memorable season for the Indian River County school with 113 tackles, 68 solo, 29 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in leading the Sharks to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Atlantic Division title.

Lamarius Fair, Defensive Back, Jones (Orlando): Senior played a huge role in the Tigers’ comeback from a slow start, recording 113 tackles, 52 solo, seven tackles for loss and one fumble recovery in guiding Jones to a 10-4 record and the Class 3M state semifinals.

Bartholomew Campbell, Defensive Lineman, DeLand: Senior enjoyed a big season, making 72 tackles, 49 solo, 23 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery in leading the Bulldogs to an 11-3 record and the Class 4S state semifinals.

Cameise Sloss, Defensive Back, Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach): Senior standout made a whopping six interceptions for 212 return yards and added 17 tackles, 13 solo, and two fumble recoveries in leading the Knights to the Class 1S state playoffs.