Top defensive player in Georgia high school football so far in 2023: Vote

We have 13 candidates for you to choose from

The midway point of the high school football season in Georgia brings up the question of who’s been the best player so far? We go ahead and start on the defensive side and ask you the fan who has been the most impressive so far.

We have 13 athletes nominated for the Top Defensive Player of the Year so far in the Peach State, and we ask you, the fans, to help decide who should indeed be the player. Voting will conclude on Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 11th. 

Editor’s Note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Here’s the nominations. 

Cole Funderburk, LB, North Gwinnett: Not many linebackers have put up the kind of numbers Funderburk has. The backer has made 34 tackles, 20 for a loss, five sacks, 17 quarterback hurries and an interception. 

Sammy Brown, LB, Jefferson: The two-way star can do it on defense and offense. Brown, a Clemson commitment, has tallied 43 tackles, three for loss and an interception for the undefeated Dragons. 

Eddrick Houston, DL, Buford: Are we seeing something that’s never been done by a defensive lineman? Three interceptions, two sacks this season for the Ohio State commit has had heads spinning on the upside of Houston. 

Everett Currie, LB, Sprayberry: The 5-foot-11, 205-pound linebacker is one of the leading tacklers in the state for the 3-1 Yellow Jackets. Currie has notched 60 tackles, three for loss and a half sack. 

Eric Brantley, DL, Valdosta: Brantley, a Colorado commitment, had been one of the top defensive ends in the state as he has notched 36 tackles, 18 for a loss and five sacks. 

Greg Blanks III, DE, Wheeler: Blanks III has been a menace coming off the edge for Wheeler this season. The defensive end has tallied 17 tackles and eight sacks this fall. 

Baylor Davis, DB, Harlem: Davis may play in the secondary, but has made plenty of tackles out of the secondary so far this season. The defensive back has made 56 tackles, nine for loss, two sacks and an interception. 

Deuce Geralds, DE, Collins Hill: The sophomore defensive edge rusher has had a strong start to the season so far. Geralds has totaled 22 tackles, nine for loss, four sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. 

Ricardo Jones, S, Northside: Jones has had to a little bit of everything for the Tigers. The safety has notched 23 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and has even played quarterback as well. 

Brandon Burdett, LB, River Ridge: Undersized for the linebacker position, Burdett has certainly made a big impact for River Ridge. Burdett has totaled 50 tackles, 10 for loss and three sacks. 

Evan Harvey, DL, Sandy Creek: If your offensive tackles aren’t prepared, Harvey could be putting your quarterback on the ground. Harvey is among the state’s leaders in sacks with eight and 13 quarterback hurries. 

Tommy Lafayette, DB, Lambert: The play of Lafayette has helped lift Lambert to an undefeated 4-0 start so far. The defensive back has a state-leading six interceptions and has rushed for 299 yards on offense. 

Aidan Maddox, DE, North Paulding: Maddox has been one of the top edge rushers this season, as the defensive end has notched 5.5 sacks and hurried signal callers 14 times. 

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl