Who will be the MS Coast’s best defensive player during the 2023 football season? Vote now.
The high school football season is just a couple of weeks away and final preparations are being made across South Mississippi as teams gear up to take the field.
As always, the Gulf Coast has plenty of defensive talent to showcase. Now is your chance to name the Sun Herald fan’s choice Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023 season with representatives from Ocean Springs, Picayune, Gulfport and more.
The poll is not an exact science and you can vote as many times as you like. The poll closes on Monday, August 14 at noon.
Get to know the players here:
- Jamonta Waller, Picayune: The Florida commit is a five star recruit and the top-ranked prospect in the state. Waller had 106 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks last season.
- Angel McGee, Gautier: McGee was an All-State select last season after picking up 134 tackles and six sacks.
- Trace Carter, Ocean Springs: The senior made 25 tackles for loss last season, running his career total up to 45 heading into his final year.
- Gavin Allen, St. Martin: Allen had his first 100-tackle season a year ago and enters ‘23 as one of the Coast’s top linebackers.
- Prince Cottonham, Gulfport: Cottonham led the Coast with eight interceptions a year ago with 49 tackles and 12 pass deflections.
- Kevon Ford, Moss Point: Ford emerged as a sophomore last season with five interceptions and three more pass deflections as a corner.
- Jeffery Rush, Pascagoula: Rush missed four games last year, but the Ole Miss commit is back as a Dandy Dozen for his senior season.
- Jacob Bradford, St. Stanislaus: The two-way iron man Stanford commit recorded 30 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season.
- Kohl Bradley, George County: Bradley is one of the top defensive prospects in the state in the class of ‘25 and is back after a sophomore season that saw him pick up 68 tackles and five pass deflections.
- Jeffrey Hopgood, Hancock: Hopgood is fresh off a 133-tackle season in which the senior recorded 10 tackles for loss.
Scott Watkins
Sun Herald