Texas Football's Defensive Super Team MVP: North Shore CB Devin Sanchez

First Team - Defense

DL Lance Jackson | Texarkana Pleasant Grove | 6'5, 245: A dominant two-way force who earned all-district honors on both sides of the ball (TE/DE). He projects to the defensive side at the next level with his explosiveness and frame potential, marking him as one of the best in the state. He is the younger brother of Arkansas All-SEC defensive end Landon Jackson.

DL DJ Sanders | Bellville | 6'4, 290: One of the state's most dominant defenders, Sanders sometimes bullies offensive linemen at the 4A level. His play was instrumental in the Brahmas' run to the state title game in 2023, and now that he is a year older, he should present an even stiffer challenge for blockers trying to contain him.

DL Zion Williams | Lufkin | 6'3, 295: Williams is a powerhouse defensive tackle with a quick first step. He is virtually impossible to move out of gaps because he is extremely strong and plays with good balance and leverage, making him one of the nation's most elite run-stopping forces. The four-star has heavy hands and finishes tackles with authority.

DL Chad Woodfork | Humble Summer Creek | 6'4, 215: One of the state's most impressive physical specimens battled some nagging injuries to help lead the Bulldogs to the 6A Division II state title game. Woodfork is a traditional defensive end who can use power and finesse in equally effective doses. There may not be a recruit in the class with a higher developmental upside.

EDGE Max Granville | Fort Bend Christian Academy | 6'3, 210: One of the nation's elite pass rushers has impressively collected 44 TFLS and 32.5 sacks throughout the past two prep seasons to earn over 35 scholarship opportunities. Granville is a nightmare for offensive coordinators to gameplan against because he can be moved around the defensive formation to exploit pass-protection weaknesses.

LB Elijah Barnes | Dallas Skyline | 6'2, 215: Barnes is a dangerous blitzer who chews up space in a hurry to apply pressure on the quarterback. His speed and athleticism make him an excellent fit for the modern college game. He is a run-stopping stalwart who can stay on the field in third-down scenarios with his speed and pass-rushing acumen.

LB Riley Pettijohn | McKinney | 6'2, 210: Pettijohn is physically impressive, with the size and strength to excel at the next level and beyond. As a run defender, he is at his best using his speed and instincts to hunt down ball carriers. Pass coverage is another one of his strengths. He moves like a defensive back in a linebacker's body.

DB Dorian Brew | Conroe | 6'1, 185: Brew moved (back) to Texas in the middle of the 2023 season and made an immediate impact to earn first-team all-district honors. The consensus five-star has the size and strength of a safety but the lockdown coverage abilities of an elite cornerback, making him one of the most coveted defenders nationally.

DB Deyjhon Pettaway | Katy Paetow | 5'10, 170: Speed is the name of Pettaway's game, and he has plenty of it, boasting a 10.70 100-meter dash. The four-star has experience playing every spot in the secondary, showcasing a good blend of aggression and closing speed, along with his quickness and agility. Pettaway is the brother of Texas A&M linebacker Daymion Sanford.

DB Devin Sanchez | Galena Park North Shore | 6'2, 170: This All-American cornerback checks every box. He has the size and toughness to take on the bigger and stronger outside receivers and the speed to hang with the fastest ones in the slot. Teams rarely try to test Sanchez in one-on-one situations, but he's still secured nine interceptions over the past two seasons.

DB Cobey Sellers | Alvin Shadow Creek | 6'1, 170: An athletic and long-armed cornerback, Sellers is an impressive two-way star with a high football IQ and pure cover corner skills. He displays elite closing speed and can flip his hips and change direction instantly. He also demonstrates exceptional concentration and hand-eye coordination, enabling him to locate and track the ball downfield.

UT Jonah Williams | Galveston Ball | 6'2, 195: The five-star's DI future is on the defensive side, but he is one of the state's top two-way weapons, scoring touchdowns in six different ways in 2023. Williams is an athletic, hybrid defender who is a relentless tackler with range like a centerfielder. He is also considered an elite baseball talent with MLB draft potential.