As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area Area News Group preseason recognition.
Today’s position:
DEFENSIVE LINE
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Jordan Alemania, Piedmont, 6-0, 238, senior
Had 14 tackles for a loss last season. First-team all-West Alameda County Conference Shoreline Division selection last season.
Jonathan Blanchard, Leigh, 6-3, 225, senior
Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Valley-Division defensive player of the year in 2023 when he had 72 tackles and two sacks. Received all-Bay Area News Group honorable mention recognition.
Dakota Dickson, Monte Vista, 6-5, 288, junior
Led Monte Vista with seven sacks as a sophomore. The three-star prospect, per 247Sports, holds 12 college offers, including from Cal, Kansas State, Washington State and Oregon State.
Aseli Fangupo, Sacred Heart Prep, 5-10, 280, senior
Shared Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division defensive lineman of the year honors last season and was second-team all-BANG. SHP coach Mark Grieb called him a “quick, powerful and explosive player.”
Devin Hyde, Menlo-Atherton, 6-5, 245, senior
The Washington commit led M-A with 94 tackles and 10 sacks last season. Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division linebacker of the year. Also plays rugby.
Matthew Johnson, De La Salle, 6-5, 280, senior
An all-BANG second-team defensive lineman, Johnson had 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season. Four-star prospect, per 247Sports. Committed to play at Oregon.
Lamarion Jones, El Cerrito, 6-4, 230, senior
Will lead an El Cerrito team that held opponents to 10 points per game last season. Has college offers from Fresno State and Louisville.
David Lee Jr., Capuchino, 6-3, 217, sophomore
A transfer from Archbishop Riordan, Lee had 3.5 sacks and 19 tackles last season. He holds scholarship offers from Arizona and San Jose State.
Deonte Littlejohn, Acalanes, 6-2, 200, junior
All-Diablo Athletic League second-team defensive selection led Acalanes in tackles for loss (18) and sacks (eight) as the Dons won a state championship in 2023.
Salesi Manoa Lata, Archbishop Riordan, 6-2, 240, sophomore
One of Riordan’s anchors on the defensive line. Should be a huge presence in the trenches as the Crusaders aim for a WCAL title. Has offers from Utah and UNLV
Thomas Nguyen, Branham, 5-8, 170, senior
Earned all-BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division honors in 2023. Had 40 tackles – 15 tackles for loss – and six sacks last season.
Zurik Peery, Live Oak, 6-1, 213, senior
All-BANG honorable mention defensive line selection posted 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division junior of the year.
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Kaleb Pleis, San Ramon Valley, 6-5, 220, senior
Lines up as an edge rusher, but also plays linebacker. A three-star recruit, per 247Sports. Has offers from Air Force, Army and UNLV.
Bradley Ruffin, Pittsburg, 6-1, 200, senior
Earned all-Bay Valley Athletic League first-team honors after racking up 38 tackles and three sacks. All-BANG honorable mention selection in 2023.
Isaia Vandermade, St. Ignatius, 6-4, 270, sophomore
Reigning WCAL freshman of the year. Holds offers from San Jose State and San Diego State. Second-team all-WCAL offensive and defensive lineman.
Jewelous Walls, Pittsburg, 6-3, 200, senior
Had 86 tackles and nine sacks in 2023 and was an all-Bay Area News Group selection. Received Bay Valley Athletic League defensive lineman of the year honors. Has offers from Washington, Arizona, Cal, USC and Oregon.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players.
Correspondent Mike Lefkow contributed to this report.
