Massillon LB Dorian Pringle named National Defensive Player of the Year in high school football

Pringle follows up state championship season with Massillon (Ohio) by earning 109,572 fan votes

The votes are in, and Massillon (Ohio) linebacker Dorian Pringle has overwhelmingly been named high school football National Defensive Player of the Year by SBLive readers.

Pringle earned more than twice as many votes (109,572) as Columbus (Florida) defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (49,125) to win the crown.

Both players were coming off state championship-winning seasons with their respective teams.

Pringle, a Bowling Green commit, had 74 total tackles (24.5 for loss), eight sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in 2023 for Division II state champion Massillon. 

He also scored 14 touchdowns on offense despite missing several games with an injury.

Pringle made 14 tackles and broke up Archbishop Hoban's final pass in Massillon's 7-2 state championship win.

“It was pretty important to me (to play),” Pringle told SBLive after the game. “I just wanted to suit up again with my brothers for one last time and try to bring something else to the team — like energy.”

Fitzgerald was a weapon at the back end of a Columbus defense that stifled opponents all season. The four-star junior picked off 10 passes and returned two for touchdowns in leading the Explorers to a second straight 4M state championship.

Dorian Pringle starred on both sides of the ball this season and played through injury to help Massillon secure a state championship game win over Archbishop Hoban / Photo by Jeff Harwell

21 defensive national player of the year candidates for the 2023 high school football season

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-- Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports