5A Oregon defensive player of the year candidates: 15 players on our preseason watch list

Players to watch in the race for 2023 Oregon Class 5A defensive player of the year

Here are 15 players to watch in the race for 2023 Oregon Class 5A defensive player of the year. 

Preston Doran (Hillsboro) photo by Leon Neuschwander 

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Favorite

LB Brysen Kachel, West Albany, senior

Kachel has been a 5A all-state selection on both sides of the ball each of the past two seasons for the Bulldogs, making the first team at linebacker last year with 60 tackles (9½ for loss).

Contenders

DB Jackson Babbitt, Springfield, senior

Babbitt transferred late last summer from Sheldon and made an immediate splash with the Millers, ending the season on the 5A all-state honorable mention list in the secondary (22 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries).

DB Connor Crum, Mountain View, senior

Crum has overcome adversity — developing Type 1 diabetes at age 13 and losing his mother to illness 15 months ago — to develop into a standout in the Cougars secondary, receiving 5A all-state honorable mention as a junior.

LB Preston Doran, Hillsboro, senior

Doran last season made a team-high 82 tackles (sixth in 5A) and earned first-team all-Northwest Oregon Conference recognition as a linebacker.

DB Lombel Doreen, Thurston, senior

As a junior, Doreen was an all-around standout for the Colts, making the 5A all-state honorable mention list in the secondary (23 tackles, two pass breakups).

LB Preston Echeverria, Hillsboro, senior

Echeverria was among the 5A leaders in tackles for loss (11) and forced fumbles (three) last season, receiving second-team all-Northwest Oregon Conference recognition at linebacker.

LB Hayden George, Lebanon, senior

George’s versatility came in handy for the Warriors last year, when he was a second-team all-Mid-Willamette outside linebacker, finishing with 42 tackles (eight for loss) and a sack.

DL Jackson Hersch, Mountain View, senior

Hersch last season was a 5A all-state honorable mention defensive lineman for the Cougars and will provide a veteran presence up front.

DL Malcolm I’aulualo, Hood River Valley, senior

As a junior, I’aulualo was a two-way standout on the Eagles lines alongside older brother Mynoah, one-upping him by making the 5A all-state honorable mention list on both sides of the ball (Mynoah made it on offense). 

DL Sam Keen, Springfield, senior

Keen was a standout interior lineman at Marist Catholic last season, earning 4A all-state second-team recognition at defensive tackle with 23 tackles and 2½ sacks.

DB Collin Moore, Summit, senior

Moore is an elite athlete, having won a 6A high jump state title as a sophomore and finishing second in 5A in May. He was a second-team all-Intermountain Conference selection in the secondary last fall. (Editor's note: Moore decided not to play football in 2023.) 

DL Isaac Olmeda, Redmond, senior

Olmeda led the Panthers with nine tackles for loss and five sacks among his 47 tackles in earning second-team all-Intermountain Conference honors as a junior.

DL Xavier Orozco, Silverton, senior

Orozco didn’t put up headline numbers (22 tackles, 3½ sacks, three forced fumbles) bouncing between defensive tackle and edge rusher for the Foxes last season, but he was a terror wherever he lined up, earning Mid-Willamette defensive lineman of the year and first-team 5A all-state honors as a result.

DL Hayden Weaver, Eagle Point, senior

As a junior, Weaver led the Midwestern League with nine sacks among his 12 tackles for loss (54 total, fourth-most in the league) in earning first-team all-league recognition. 

S Mark Wiepert, Wilsonville, junior

As a sophomore, Wiepert was a multifaceted weapon in the Wildcats arsenal, receiving 5A all-state honorable mention at safety (112 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions). 

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Recapping the 2022 season

Our complete season preview: Breaking down every 6A, 5A, 4A team in the state

Regular-season statistical leaders: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A

Postseason statistical leaders: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A

All-state teams: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A