Vote now for Midlands high school football 2025 Defensive Player of the Year
It’s time to vote for The State’s 2025 high school football Defensive Player of the Year from Midlands-area teams.
Voting ends at noon Monday, Dec. 15, and the winner will be announced later that day with the all-area football team.
Below are the nominees. You can vote as many times as you would like.
Defensive Player of the Year Nominees
Azel Banag, DB, AC Flora: Senior had 75 tackles, five interceptions and 12 pass break-ups. He also had four touchdowns on offense. Banag signed with Oregon and was picked for Touchstone Energy Bowl.
Michael Boulware, LB, Gray Collegiate: Senior had 283 tackles, three sacks and five pass break-ups.
Jaiden Bryant, DE, Irmo: Junior had 79 tackles (23 tackles for loss) and 11 sacks, blocked two punts, has an interception and scored three touchdowns. Bryant is No. 33rd ranked player in the Class of 2027 by 247Sports Composite.
Caleb Geronomi, DB, White Knoll: Senior was a two-way standout for the Timberwolves and led them in interceptions. Geronomi was picked to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl and signed with Richmond.
Julian Hughes, LB, Heathwood Hall: SCISA 1-4A Defensive Player of the Year had 85 tackles (9 for loss), 12 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He also has almost 600 all-purpose yards on offense and six touchdowns.
Jackson Ross, LB, Hammond: Junior had 93 tackles (13 for loss), eight sacks, eight QB pressure, 11 pass break-ups. He also caught six touchdown passes on offense.
Julian Walker, DE, Dutch Fork: Senior had 75 tackles (25 for loss), 14 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Walker signed with South Carolina and was selected to the NC-SC Shrine Bowl and Navy All-American Bowl.
Jaden Wuerth, DE, Dutch Fork: Junior had 62 tackles (18 for loss), 14 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.
This story was originally published December 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM.
