Vote: Who is the 2024 Maryland High School Football Defensive Player of the Year

It was a banner year for high school football in Maryland and the defensive side of the ball had more than its share of standouts.

From pass rushers to linebackers to defensive backs, there was plenty to get excited about if you were a fan of high school football in Maryland during the 2023 season.

Now, it's time for you vote on the 2023 Maryland High School Football Defensive Player of the Year from the list of deserving candidates we have profiled below.

We’ve selected 14 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

Voting will end on January 7th, 2024 and 11:59 p.m..

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.

Here are the nominations:

Aaron Chiles, Good Counsel, Senior: University of Florida-bound linebacker helped Good Counsel to Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Capital Division champions, posting 122 tackles (88 solo) and 15 sacks.

Faheem Delane, Good Counsel, Junior: Maryland’s top recruit in the Class of 2025, Delane, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound safety, finished with 69 tackles and five sacks for the state’s No. 1 squad.

Keshawn Flowers, Archbishop Spalding, Senior: Headed to Maryland, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker was a menacing force for the MIAA A Conference champs.

Jaylen Harvey, Quince Orchard, Senior: Arguably the top senior recruit among public school defenders, the Penn State signee had 26 tackles and four sacks for Montgomery County powerhouse.

Carter Hess, Fort Hill, Senior: Hess, who will play for Fordham next fall, racked up more than 150 tackles for the Class 1A state champ Sentinels.

Dejuan Lane, Gilman, Senior: Lane, who’s headed to Penn State, was a major bright spot at defensive back for Greyhounds this fall.

Emmitt Laws, DeMatha, Senior: The Virginia Tech recruit’s 67 tackles and 17 sacks helped the Stags to the WCAC Capital title game and earned WCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Brayden Lee, Charles H. Flowers, Senior: A four-star talent by Rivals, the 6-foot, 165-pound cornerback was one of several impact performers for the Jaguars, whose season abruptly ended in the 4A region playoffs after forfeiting nine victories for playing with an ineligible player.

Darien Mayo, Good Counsel, Senior: One of the country’s tallest defensive linemen at 6-foot-7, Clemson signee finished with 78 tackles for the Falcons, who won the WCAC Capital title and finished No. 1 in the state media poll.

Dominic Nichols, Oakdale, Senior: The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Michigan defensive line recruit finished with 94 tackles and 16 sacks for the undefeated Class 3A state champ Bears.

Ify Obidegwu, St. Frances, Senior: The University of Oregon signee was a lockdown cornerback for another talented Panther defensive unit that allowed 20 points or less in 10 games.

Gavin Solito, Stephen Decatur, Senior: Solito, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound linebacker was the heart and soul for the Class 2A state champ Seahawks, recording more than 90 tackles.

Ernest Willor, Concordia Prep, Senior: Willor, who’s headed to Wisconsin, finished with 47 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions for MIAA B Conference champions.

Blake Woodby, St. Frances, Junior: Already committed to Ohio State, Woodby, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound cornerback, was a key part of a St. Frances unit that held national powerhouses IMG Academy (Fla.) and Mater Dei (Calif.) to season lows in points.