6A Oregon defensive player of the year candidates: 15 players on our preseason watch list

Players to watch in the race for 2023 Oregon Class 6A defensive player of the year

Here are 15 players to watch in the race for 2023 Oregon Class 6A defensive player of the year. 

Gus Donnerberg (West Linn) photo by Ken Waz

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Favorite

DL Baron Naone, West Linn, junior

Naone only scratched the surface of his potential as a rotation player on a deep Lions roster last season, earning all-Three Rivers honorable mention as an edge rusher. Since blowing up on the summer circuit and earning offers from Washington and Oregon among five Pac-12 schools, the state’s No. 1 recruit is poised to break through this fall. 

Contenders

LB Lonnie Burt, Jesuit, senior

Burt made the 6A all-state honorable mention list last season at linebacker, and he’ll share running back duties in the Crusaders backfield this fall.

DB Jace Burton, Jesuit, senior

Burton has developed into a lockdown cornerback during his four-year starting career with the Crusaders, making the 6A and SBLive Oregon all-state first team last season.

DL Benson Deibele, Grant, senior

Deibele was a first-team all-PIL selection on the defensive line last season, when he had 47 tackles (five for loss) and three sacks to help the Generals grab a share of the league title. 

LB Gus Donnerberg, West Linn, senior

Donnerberg is a two-way standout for the Lions, but while he earned 6A all-state honorable mention at tight end, he projects as an FBS-level linebacker. He should emerge from the shadow of graduated all-state picks Ben Winjum and Earl Ingle.

LB Dexter Foster, Central Catholic, senior

Foster made the move from Roosevelt during the offseason after tying for third in 6A with 15 tackles for loss among his 59 total tackles (with four sacks) last year in earning first-team all-PIL honors at middle linebacker. 

LB Keaton Fried, Sherwood, senior

Fried was the straw that stirred the defensive mix for the Bowmen last season. He earned Pacific Conference defensive player of the year and second-team 6A all-state honors as a middle linebacker.

DL Will Haverland, Sheldon, senior

Haverland was a key contributor to one of the most fearsome defensive lines in the state last season, making 34 tackles (12½ for loss) as a junior.

DB Elias Johnson, Jesuit, senior

Johnson was an unknown commodity to begin his junior year. By season’s end, he bookended Burton in the Crusaders secondary, earning second-team all-Metro League honors. He recently committed to the University of Washington.

DL Houstyn Lee-Perry, Liberty, senior

Lee-Perry had a breakthrough junior season for the Falcons, earning Pacific Conference co-defensive lineman of the year honors and 6A all-state honorable mention after making 91 tackles (13 for loss) and two sacks for a Columbia Cup semifinalist.

DL Hatimu Letisi, South Salem, senior

Letisi was another defensive lineman to break through as a junior, joining Lee-Perry on the 6A all-state honorable mention list after making 56 tackles (eight for loss), six sacks and two fumble recoveries. 

LB Clay Martineau, Oregon City, senior

Martineau started making a name for himself last fall, garnering all-Three Rivers League honorable mention with 63 tackles (eight for loss) and five sacks. He recently committed to Boise State.

DB Andre Miller, Nelson, senior

Miller stood out while playing for Mt. Hood Conference rival Gresham last season, making the all-conference first team in the secondary with 28 tackles (two for loss) and five interceptions. 

S AJ Noland, Tualatin, senior

Noland’s absence from last year’s 6A semifinal because of illness was felt in the Timberwolves secondary, where the SBLive Oregon second-team all-state pick would have made a difference.

LB Mana Tuioti, Sheldon, junior

Tuioti started to emerge as a force in the Irish defense during the second half of last season. He made the 6A all-state honorable mention list at linebacker and finished with 66 tackles (7½ for loss) and three 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