Midlands Top 20: Ranking best HS defensive players in Columbia, Lexington area for 2024
A look at the ranking of the top-20 high school football defensive players in the Midlands as decided by The State newspaper staff for the 2024 season.
1. Onis Konanbanny, DB, Heathwood Hall: Konanbanny left Europe for the United States a few years ago and ended up at Heathwood last year after transferring from Rabun Gap (Ga.). The defensive back is ranked the No. 4 prospect in South Carolina by 247Sports Composite. He had 20 tackles and six pass breakups last season and also will play receiver for Highlanders. Konanbanny is down to two college choices — Florida State and Tennessee — and plans to announce a decision Aug. 23.
2. Josh Smith, LB/DE, Dutch Fork: Disruptive defender on Dutch Fork’s state title team. Smith had 63 tackles, 20 for loss, seven sacks and 15 quarterback hurries. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Smith is ranked No. 24 by 247Sports in the state’s Class of 2025 and is committed to Coastal Carolina.
3. Elgin Sessions, DB, Dutch Fork: Top returning defensive back on Silver Foxes’ state title team. Sessions had 43 tackles, nine for loss and picked off two passes last season. 247Sports and On3 have the 5-11, 175-pound Sessions ranked as top-25 in South Carolina for the Class of 2025. Sessions is a West Virginia commitment.
4. Jojo Crim, DB, Camden: Was all-state selection last season and had 92 tackles, four interceptions and 15 pass break-ups. Crim is ranked No. 22 by 247Sports in South Carolina for the Class of 2025. Has several Power 4 offers and visited Duke, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. He recently picked up offers from Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
5. Sterling Sanders, DL, Blythewood: Big man up front on Blythewood’s defensive line. Sanders had 34 tackles, 11 for loss, three sacks and eight quarterback pressures last year. The 6-5, 295-pounder is committed to Georgia Southern.
6. Devin Geronomi, DB, White Knoll: Senior defensive back had 56 tackles, 4.5 for loss, six pass break-ups, an interception and two blocked kicks. Geronomi is committed to Richmond.
7. Freddie Gillens, DB, Cardinal Newman: Gillens had 27 tackles and two interceptions last season for the Cardinals. Gillens is committed to Appalachian State.
8. JT Lott, DL, Saluda: Lott is the top defender for the Tigers and had 77 tackles, 26 for loss, with six sacks last season.
9. Michael Boulware, LB, Gray Collegiate: Junior had 155 tackles, eight for loss, four interceptions and two sacks.
10. Zarion Williams, DE, Blythewood: Senior had 54 tackles, 27 for loss and 20 sacks, four forced fumbles last year.
11. Tylin Drakeford, DB, Camden: Junior had 105 tackles last season, four interceptions and six pass breakups..
12. Wynn Meetze, S, Gilbert: Junior safety had 148 tackles, 11 for loss, five pass breakups, four interceptions last season.
13. Caleb Geronomi, DB, White Knoll: Junior had 77 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass break-ups, one blocked kick and three forced fumbles.
14. Titus Bowman, DL, Keenan: Was first-team all-state selection last season and had 62 tackles, 27 for loss and 10 sacks.
15. Cleve Tellery, DL, Ridge View: Senior had 36 tackles, 15 for loss and six sacks last season.
16. Zay Mathis, DB, Hammond: Part of a talented secondary for SCISA champion Skyhawks. Mathis had 34 tackles, 20 pass breakups and one interception last season. Mathis has picked up several Division I offers this offseason.
17. Zeb Taylor, DL, Gray Collegiate: All-state selection had 73 tackles, 11 for loss and 7.5 sacks last season.
18. Jordan Joe, DB, North Central: Senior had 51 tackles and seven interceptions last season.
19. Gavin Stam, LB, Chapin: Senior had 111 tackles, 21 for loss and six sacks last season.
20. Kellen George, DE, Ben Lippen: Senior had 53 tackles, 22 for loss and 7.5 sacks last year.
Others to watch: Anthony Turnbow, DB/RB, Chapin; Moe Singleton, Gray Collegiate; Willie Smith, Dreher; Dontrell Wilson, DL, Camden; Jordan Boston, DB, Hammond; Jaiden Bryant, DL, Irmo; Jared Acosta, LB, Newberry: Matt McAulay, LB, Lexington; Stone Furrey, DB/WR, Chapin; Matthew Blocker, DB, Irmo; Jaiden Haltiwanger, DB, Hammond; Chris Pearson, Fairfield Central; Drake Porter, LB, Ben Lippen; Raleigh Salters, LB, Dutch Fork; Hudson Shick, DE, Northside Christian; Artem Kalinkin, DL, Lexington; Ophir Hill, LB, Lower Richland; Azel Banag, DB, AC Flora; Dekontee Mack, DL/TE, Westwood; Kasiah Harkless-Adams, Swansea
This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 8:03 AM.
