The 2023 All-Herald defense: Meet the top high school players in the tri-county area
The Herald’s 2023 all-star defensive teams are headlined by four Shrine Bowlers, two North/South nominees and the player with the second-most interceptions in the country.
Players are nominated by their own coaches or other coaches.
Here are the All-Herald team, with stats and. highlights provided by coaches and MaxPreps.
First-team defense
DL C.J. Dixon, South Pointe, 6-0, 250, SR.
2022 stats: 83 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks
Dixon set career marks in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks en route to a North/South nomination.
DL Andre Pickett, Northwestern, 6-0, 276, JR.
2022 stats: 86 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
Pickett was a disruptive force on a fierce four-man Northwestern defensive line.
DL Jayden Bryant, Clover, 6-4, 225, SR.
2022 stats: 97 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks
Bryant, a Coastal Carolina commit, earned regional defensive player of the year honors with his play off the edge for the Blue Eagles.
DL Trey Wanger, York, 6-1, 225, SR.
2022 stats: 81 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 13 sacks
Wanger earned regional co-defensive player of the year honors and was selected for the High School Blitz football showcase.
LB Timir Hickman-Collins, Indian Land, 6-1, 215, SR.
2022 stats: 155 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 interception
Hickman-Collins earned a Shrine Bowl nomination after a successful career at Indian Land and, along with Wanger, was co-defensive player of the year. Hickman-Collins is a Florida State commit.
LB Antonio Hopkins, Chester, 5-11, 185, SR.
2022 stats: 165 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception; 600 all-purpose yards, 12 TDs
Hopkins was a Shrine Bowl nominee and named regional defensive player of the year. Hopkins also played running back, picking up 517 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage.
LB Landon Armstrong, Rock Hill, 6-1, 215, SR.
2022 stats: 135 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions
Armstrong was named the Tri-County Coaches Association Defensive Player of the Year after a 135-tackle campaign for the Bearcats. His performance helped galvanize a much-improved defensive performance from Rock Hill.
DB Fred Reese, South Pointe, 5-11, 175, JR.
2022 stats: 116 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries
Reese’s stellar play on the defensive end also showed up on special teams, where he blocked two punts. Reese has offers from Virginia Tech and UNC Charlotte.
DB Gavin Brandwood, Fort Mill, 5-11, 190, SR.
2022 stats: 120 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception
Brandwood was the defensive star for Fort Mill, earning an All-State selection and receiving offers from North Greenville and Erskine. His 120-tackle mark led Class 5A at the end of Fort Mill’s season.
DB Reggie Heath, Chester, 6-0, 165, SR.
2022 stats: 42 tackles, 13 interceptions
Heath’s 13 interceptions led the state and ranked second in the country. Heath also spent time at wide receiver, racking up 630 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns.
DB Debo Hall, York, 5-11, 185, SR.
2022 stats: 65 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions
Hall spent most of his time at safety en route to a Shrine Bowl selection. Hall is receiving offers from Newberry and Limestone.
K/P Matthew Fish, Northwestern, 5-10, 167, JR.
2022 stats: Made 81 of 82 PATs; hit 6 of 9 field goal attempts, 25 touchbacks
Fish served as Northwestern’s primary kicker, with a career best of 39 yards.
Second-team defense
DL: Danijay McMullen, Northwestern, 6-0, 282, JR.
DL: Lewis Price, Catawba Ridge, 6-4, 285, JR.
DL: Mason Grier, Northwestern, 6-0, 258, JR.
DL: Isaiah Palmer, Rock Hill, 6-2, 190, SR.
LB: Joaquan Howze, Lewisville, 6-0, 190, SR.
LB: Dalton Russell, York, 5-9, 175, SR.
LB: Daquan Evans, Lewisville, 5-9, 195, SO.
DB: Zantwan Nelson, South Pointe, 5-11, 170, SR. (Shrine Bowl nominee)
DB: Bryson Steele, York, 6-4, 180, SR. (North/South nominee)
DB: J’Zavien Currence, South Pointe, 6-4, 205, SO.
DB: Jordan Strong, Lewisville, 5-9, 150, SO.
K/P: Marcel Fee, Lewisville, 6-1, 150, JR.
