The 2023 All-Observer defense: Top high school football players in Charlotte region
West Charlotte’s Jaden Smith, The Observer’s defensive player of the year, leads the 2023 All-Observer defense, which honors the top high school football players in the Charlotte region.
(Tap here for the All-Observer offensive team)
First team
DL: CJ Dixon, South Pointe, 6-2, 275, Sr.: In 12 games, Dixon had 83 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks.
DL: Bryce Young, Charlotte Christian, 6-5, 240, Sr.: The Notre Dame signee is a 4-star national recruit. Young had 97 tackles in 12 games, including 18 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks.
DL: D’Nas White, Robinson, 6-6, 280, Sr.: White had 40 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and six sacks. He also recovered two fumbles for a 12-1 team.
DL: James Nesta, Hough, 6-5, 205, Sr.: Nesta, an all-conference pick, had 36 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks for the Huskies.
LB: Tyquan Rankin, Butler, 5-10, 210, Sr.: The Southwestern 4A co-defensive player of the year had 132 tackles, 33 tackles for a loss and three sacks.
LB: Jaden Smith, West Charlotte, 6-3, 210, Sr.: The Queen City 3A/4A defensive player of the year had 91 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks plus three blocked punts and two blocked field goals.
LB: Timir Hickman-Collins, Indian Land, 6-1, 215, Sr.: The Florida State signee had 155 tackles, seven sacks and three forced fumbles.
DB: Samari Matthews, Hough, 6-0, 172, Soph.: An all-conference pick, Matthews had 25 tackles an an interception for a Huskies team that finished 11-2.
DB: Brody Barnhardt, Providence Day, 6-0, 188, Sr.: Barnhardt, an all-conference and all-state pick, had 109 tackles, three interceptions and more than 2,100 yards total offense. He is an N.C. State signee.
DB: Micah Gilbert, Charlotte Christian, 6-4, 205, Sr.: In 12 games, the Notre Dame signee had 30 tackles, three interceptions, plus 1,105 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.
DB: Quinton Reddish, Independence, 6-3, 190, Sr.: The Virginia Tech signee had 72 tackles and five interceptions for the NC 4A state semifinalists.
P: Lyric Kopera, Independence, 6-3, 185, Jr.: Kopera averaged 51 yards per punt on 33 attempts over 15 games. He finished the season No. 1 on MaxPreps’ national list.
PR: Chancellor Bryant, Ardrey Kell, 5-11, 175, Sr.: Bryant had 69 tackles plus six interceptions and averaged 28.1 yards per kick return and 19.6 yards on punt return.
Second team
DL: Nick Darling, Butler, 6-1, 210, Sr.
DL: Elijah Littlejohn, West Charlotte, 6-3, 221, Soph.
DL: Drew Harris, Weddington, 6-2, 225, Soph.
DL: Skylar Murray, Independence, 6-3, 192, Sr.
LB: Harrison Johnson, Porter Ridge, 6-2, 205, Sr.
LB: Billy Wilkes, Providence, 6-2, 205, Sr.
LB: Jamari Farmer, Mooresville, 6-0, 200, Jr.
DB: Jackson Gibbs, Marvin Ridge, 6-1, 170, Sr.
DB: Rondell Carter, Chambers, 6-0, 178, Sr.
DB: Gene Neely, Hunter Huss, 5-10, 175, Jr.
DB: Sam Neely, Weddington, 6-0, 175, Sr.
P: Jayden Olden, Monroe, 6-1, 220, Sr.
PR: Ben Black, Mallard Creek, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Defensive player of the year: Jaden Smith, West Charlotte
Offensive player of the year: Jadyn Davis, Providence Day
Coach of the year: Andy Capone, Weddington
