When looking at the returning players in Alabama High School Football for the 2022 season, the talent on the defensive side of the ball in particular has the potential to be arguably the best in recent years. A group that includes multiple five-star recruits and top 100 players, the in-state talent from the Class of 2023 has the potential to truly be special.
However, if you were to build the ultimate starting defense pulled from players across the state to showcase that talent, what would the Alabama High School Football Class of 2023 starting defense look like?
Alabama Target 2023 5-Star DL Peter Woods @35Pwoo pic.twitter.com/T9QFH0jQ2z
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) February 6, 2022
Defensive Line
DL – James Smith (Carver-Montgomery)
DL – Peter Woods (Thompson)
DL – Kelby Collins (Gardendale)
DL – Tomarrion Parker (Central-Phenix City)
The defensive front would be led by two five-star prospects in Smith and Woods, as well as two other top 100 prospects in Collins and Parker, each of which could line up at different spots along the defensive line and excel at both run-stopping, as well as rushing the passer. Rotating players such as Highland Home’s Keldric Faulk, Hewitt-Trussville’s Hunter Osborne, and Eufaula’s Yhonzae Pierre also would strengthen what is an already impressive defensive front, one that would be among the tops in the country.
Junior SZN ?
78=Total Tackles
15 Sacks
27 TFL’s
10 Hurries
4 FR
2 TD’s
1 PBUhttps://t.co/fmatlZb21y— Tomarrion Parker (@tomarrion) December 7, 2021
Linebacker
LB – Jaquavious Russaw (Carver-Montgomery)
LB – Karmelo Overton (Carroll)
The likely leader of the group would be Russaw, a versatile player who has the ability to line up either at edge rusher or linebacker, as well as yet another four-star in Overton beside him. Rotating in would be the state’s leading tackler from a year ago in Jackson’s Jalen Pickens, adding to a very versatile and talented linebacker group.
loaded . ⚔️ @TeamPlott6 @the_mike_barker @OzarkCityEagles @ALLGASTRNG pic.twitter.com/3J58qX85iq
— karmelo overton ⛓ (@MeloOverton) July 22, 2021
Defensive Backs
CB – AJ Harris (Central-Phenix City)
CB – Tony Mitchell (Thompson)
CB – Jahlil Hurley (Florence)
S – Sylvester Smith (Munford)
S – DaKaari Nelson (Selma)
Led by the five-star trio of Harris, Mitchell, and Hurley, the secondary would arguably be the strength of this defense, with very few states able to match the pure level of talent at the cornerback position alone. Four-star’s Smith and Nelson would also start at safety, while Alabama Christian’s Avery Stuart, Gardendale’s Dallas Young, and Pinson Valley’s TJ Metcalf would all rotate in.
“Scared Money Don’t Make Money” #UFuture pic.twitter.com/P85y2l6Z4H
— Aaron-Joshua Harris (@Aj_harris04) January 25, 2022
