20 candidates for 5A defensive player of the year in Oregon high school football

Mark Wiepert of Wilsonville is back after winning the award last year, but he'll be challenged by newcomer Tony Cumberland (Willamette) and others

Wilsonville safety Mark Wiepert has a chance to go back-to-back as 5A defensive player of the year. / Photo by Leon Neuschwander

Who will be the 2024 defensive player of the year in 5A Oregon high school football? Here are 20 of the top candidates on our preseason watch list. 

200 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2024

5A DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES

DL Carter Bennett, Forest Grove, senior

As a junior, Bennett ranked among the Northwest Oregon Conference leaders in tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (four) en route to earning all-state honorable mention, and he was the 6A runner-up at 215 pounds at the wrestling state meet.

LB Jack Brauckmiller, Canby, sophomore

Brauckmiller is one of the top class of 2027 recruits in the Northwest in two sports, but he shows more potential (for now) on the gridiron, where he has an offer from UNLV and looks ready to blow up after intercepting a team-high four passes and making 22 tackles as a freshman.

S Tristen Collins, Thurston, senior

How will Collins follow his breakthrough junior season, when he made 57 tackles and had a team-high three interceptions in making the all-state honorable mention list? 

DL Tony Cumberland, Willamette, junior

Cumberland moved to Eugene from Scottsdale, Ariz., as one of the nation’s top class of 2026 recruits. His arrival, along with new coach Josh Line moving across town from Sheldon, provides hope for a Wolverines program that hasn’t finished above .500 in a full season since 2011.

LB Parker Gibson, Redmond, junior

Gibson made the all-state honorable mention list as a sophomore, when he finished with 66 tackles (14 for loss), four sacks and an interception.

LB Holton Halstead, Thurston, senior

Halstead was his team’s leader in tackles last season, making 65 (nine for loss) with four sacks. He received second-team all-state recognition.

LB Justin Hofenbredl, Dallas, senior

Hofenbredl, a 5A all-state honorable mention selection as a junior, led the Mid-Willamette Conference with 95 tackles (eight for loss). 

DE Isaac Jordan, Lebanon, senior

Jordan last year was a two-way 5A all-state honorable mention pick — on the offensive line and as the state leader in tackles for loss with 16, including eight sacks.

LB Gus Karpstein, Bend, senior

Karpstein made 71 tackles last season for the Lava Bears and earned 5A all-state honorable mention.

LB Daniel Kuenzi, Silverton, senior

The Mid-Willamette Conference defensive player of the year last season led the Foxes with 95 tackles, helping them allow just 14.7 points per game.

LB Marco Larsen, Summit, senior

Larsen was a second-team all-state pick last fall with 77 tackles, teaming with graduated all-state safety Sam Stephens as the leaders of the Storm defense.

DL Asante Mims, Hillsboro, junior

Mims has played varsity since his freshman season and shared the team lead with 10 tackles for loss as a second-team all-Northwest Oregon Conference selection last year.

LB Ceville Pasi, Churchill, senior

Besides being one of the league’s top running backs, Pasi is a standout outside linebacker who had seven tackles for loss and 5½ sacks as a junior.

LB Keaton Robertson, Caldera, senior

Robertson, an all-state honorable mention selection in 2023, led 5A with 101 tackles (seven for loss) in helping the Wolfpack make the playoffs for the first time. 

LB Austin Simmons, West Albany, senior

The Washington State commit is more than just an accomplished receiver — he should play a bigger role on defense this year after making 31 tackles, two sacks and an interception as a junior.

LB Jacob Thayer, La Salle Prep, senior

Thayer, a first-team 4A all-state selection, made a team-high 81 tackles last year for a defense that didn’t allow a point in Tri-Valley Conference play and allowed just 7.5 points per game overall.

DB Owen Thomas, Bend, senior

The Lava Bears free safety led 5A with seven interceptions last season and made the all-state honorable mention list. 

DL Garren White, Mountain View, senior

The Cougars last season allowed just 9.5 points per game, with White (73 tackles, nine for loss) playing a key role at defensive tackle.

S Mark Wiepert, Wilsonville, senior 

Wiepert was last year’s 5A defensive player of the year (121 tackles, seven for loss) and an all-state receiver. He might be the best two-way talent in the state this season.

DL Eli Willis, Silverton, senior

The Mid-Willamette Conference defensive lineman of the year as a junior was a disruptive force up front for the Foxes, finishing with 42 tackles and four sacks.

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