Gilbert’s Wynn Meetze voted preseason HS football Defensive Player of Year
The votes are in, and Gilbert’s Wynn Meetze won the vote for The State’s Midlands 2025 Preseason High School Football Defensive Player of the Year.
Thanks for all who voted. There will be a weekly High School Football Player of the Week poll throughout the regular season beginning on Aug. 25.
Coaches can submit their players by emailing Lou Bezjak at lbezjak@thestate.com.
Preseason Defensive Player of Year Nominees
Azel Banag, DB, AC Flora: The senior defensive back committed to Harvard in the summer and 101 tackles, (4) for loss, two interceptions and three caused fumbles.
Jordyn Best DB, Ridge View: The senior defensive back committed to NC State this summer and had 22 tackles (3 for loss) and two interceptions last season.
Michael Boulware, LB, Gray Collegiate: Senior was again Gray’s top tackler last season after 133 tackles (8 for loss), five sacks and two forced fumbles.
Jaiden Bryant, DE, Irmo: Four-star prospect for Class of 2027 is a top-100 national recruit and has plenty of Power 4 offers. The junior had 86 tackles (18 for loss), 15.5 sacks, seven pass break-ups and three caused fumbles.
Wynn Meetze, DB, Gilbert: Junior safety had 126 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack.
Caleb Pinkney, DB, River Bluff: Junior had 32 tackles and led the team with seven interceptions.
Jackson Ross, LB, Hammond: Junior has picked up Power 4 offers from Duke and Vanderbilt and had 97 tackles (14 for loss), 11.5 sacks, six pass break-ups, two interceptions and 10 quarterback pressures last year.
Julian Walker, DE, Dutch Fork: Four-star prospect had a big end to the season and is ranked as the third-best prospect in the state for 2026. The Michigan commit finished 2024 with 50 tackles (19 for loss), tied for the team lead with 11 sacks and had five quarterback pressures.
KD Whitt, DB, Batesburg-Leesville: Senior had a team-high six interceptions and was a Class 2A All-State selection. On offense, Whitt had 27 catches for 475 yards and a school-record 10 touchdowns.
Dontrell Wilson, DE, Camden: Senior had 70.5 tackles (11 for loss) and six sacks last season.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM.
