Vote: Who should be Texas Defensive High School Football Player of the Week? (11/17/2024)

We narrowed down the top offensive performers of last week. Now, we want to hear from you

Westlake cornerback GJ Jones lll returns a kickoff. / John Gutierrez/Special to American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Another week of Texas high school football is officially in the books, and there were plenty of standout performers across the Lone Star State.

Here are SBLive/SI’s Texas Defensive Football Player of the Week nominees for Nov. 14-16. Scroll down to read about this week’s list and cast your vote in the poll below. Voting remains open until Sunday, November 24, at 11:59 p.m. Central time.

If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, email bob.lundeberg@gmail.com.

Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll are 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 who receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Texas Defensive Football Player of the Week candidates 

1. Jaylen Anderson, jr., Pflugerville

Anderson recorded four total tackles and an interception as Pflugerville dominated Burbank, 63-13. 

2. Ashton Ansley, sr., Anna

Ansley, a Louisiana Tech commit, returned an interception 89 yards to the end zone during Anna’s 45-10 victory over Colleyville Heritage. 

3. Dyllon Bennett, so., Ridge Point

Bennett had 13 total tackles (3.5 for loss) in a 49-16 win over Dobie. 

4. Dylan Brasher, jr., Dripping Springs

Brasher piled up 12 total tackles as Dripping Springs defeated McNeil, 49-14. 

5. Kason Brooks, sr., Longview

Brooks led the way with 12 total tackles (five for loss) and three sacks in a 23-13 victory over Naaman Forest. 

6. Scott Fishpaw, sr., Coppell

Fishpaw had the game-sealing interception — his first of the season — in a 35-27 win over Prosper. 

7. Cade Haug, so., Kingwood

Haug tallied 18 total tackles as Kingwood edged Clear Springs, 36-35. 

8. GJ Jones III, sr., Westlake

Jones III intercepted two passes as Westlake defeated Vista Ridge, 46-17. 

9. Davontrae Kirkland, so., University

Kirkland had 15 total tackles in a 52-14 loss to Fort Bend Marshall. 

10. Mikhail McCreary, so., Johnson

McCreary notched a pick-six and a pass breakup in Johnson’s 49-7 victory over Taft. 

11. Riley O’Bannon, jr., A&M Consolidated

O’Bannon had a 42-yard pick-six that sparked A&M Consolidated in a 62-20 rout of Friendswood. O’Bannon’s interception was the first of four for the Tigers. 

12. Donald Quist, sr., Allen

Quist forced two fumbles and blocked a punt as Allen smothered Lewisville, 17-3. 

13. Ian Rylee, sr., Permian

Rylee intercepted a screen pass and raced 32 yards to the end zone in a 41-21 win over East Lake. 

14. Alec Salazar, sr., Bishop Lynch

Salazar tallied eight total tackles with a 65-yard interception return touchdown as Bishop Lynch downed Concordia Lutheran, 35-7. 

15. Elijah Suarez, jr., Van Vleck

Suarez had nine total tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a 48-41 victory over Blanco. 

16. CJ Wells, sr., Sachse

Wells had two interceptions, a pass breakup and four total tackles in a 50-17 loss to Rockwall.

17. Elijah White, sr., Emerson

White picked off two passes as Emerson fell to Argyle, 41-21. 

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports