DEFENSE

DL Dylan Carroll

Portland senior

6-4, 230

Finished with 96 tackles, including 11 for losses, and five sacks to anchor a stifling Division 5 state champion Raiders’ defense that allowed just more than 13 points per game.

DL Ben Bedard

Grand Ledge senior

6-5, 265

Had 60 tackles, including 10 for losses, and also tallied five sacks for the CAAC Blue runner-up Comets. Earned special mention all-state honors on the Division 1-2 team.

DL Brann Schmitt

Carson City-Crystal senior

6-5, 220

Racked up 73 tackles and 19 sacks en route to the Division 7-8 all-state team. Helped the MSAC runner-up Eagles to their first playoff appearance since 1999.

LB James Mills

Everett senior

51-10, 215

(See LSJ defensive player of the year story.)

LB Jimmie Melton

DeWitt senior

5-9, 190

Had 172 tackles and helped the CAAC Red champion Panthers to the Division 3 state semifinals. Special mention on the Division 3-4 all-state team.

LB Tyler Koenigsknecht

Fowler senior

5-9, 175

One of better two-way players in the mid-Michigan area, Koenigsknecht had 102 tackles, including 14 for losses, and one sack while running for 1,307 yards and 11 TDs to earn Division 7-8 all-state honors as a running back for CMAC champion Eagles.

LB Joe Wilson

Fulton senior

5-11, 205

Had 82 tackles, four sacks, five fumbles caused, two fumbles recovered, an interception and a blocked kick in just eight games for the Pirates (since one win came by forfeit) and finished with 476 tackles for his career. Also a Division 7-8 all-state honorable mention pick.

DB Jaleel Canty

Everett senior

5-10, 195

Cincinnati-bound defensive back led a turnaround at Everett as the CAAC Blue champion Vikings finished their regular season 9-0. On offense, averaged almost 16 yards per catch and had four TDs en route to the Division 1-2 all-state team as a receiver.

DB Cha’Quan Love

Everett senior

5-9, 180

Combined with Canty on the outside for the CAAC Blue champion Vikings defense that gave up 7.4 points per game. Had five interceptions, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown, and was Division 1-2 all-state special mention.

DB Javon Haines

East Lansing senior

6-2, 180

Had four interceptions, including two returned for TDs for the Trojans. Caught 44 passes for 696 yards and eight TDs on offense and was named to the Division 1-2 all-state team as a receiver.

DB Jordan Hessbrook

Ithaca senior

5-9, 160

Had 55 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups and one fumble caused to earn a spot on the Division 5-6 all-state team. Helped the TVC West champion Yellowjackets to a third straight Division 6 state title.

P Marcus Prigge

Stockbridge senior

6-5, 200

Division 5-6 all-state selection averaged 38 yards per punt with five punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Accumulated 34 tackles in four games when inserted on the Panthers’ defense late in season.