Meet the 2022 Charlotte Observer high school football all-star defensive team
An annual Observer tradition, today we introduce the players on the 2022 all-star defensive football team, the best players in the newspaper’s 162-school coverage zone which covers 18 counties in western North Carolina.
The team is annually released on Christmas Day.
Players must be nominated by their coaches, or opposing coaches, to be considered for induction, and the team was selected by The Observer’s sports staff as well as members of its streaming “Talking Preps” TV show.
More than 400 players were nominated. Talking Preps co-host Jonathan Grice, who named North Carolina’s state players of the week on the show, offers commentary on the first-team picks.
Our video tribute
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL DAEVIN HOBBS, JM ROBINSON, 6-5, 270, SR.
2022 stats: 30 tackles, 17.5 for a loss, 7.5 sacks plus 25 QB hurries, a forced fumble and four pass breakups. At tight end, caught 18 passes for 412 yards and 11 TDs; 6 rushing YDs.
Talking Preps co-host Jonathan Grice: “This guy was virtually unblockable all year. He reminds you of a new-school Julius Peppers, where his athleticism is needed for all three phases of the game.”
DL ZAIRION JACKSON-BASS, CHAMBERS, 6-4, 265, SR.
2022 stats: 70 tackles, 22 sacks, 28 tackles for a loss, 4 forced fumbles.
Grice: “One of the most dominant defensive linemen in the state. A leader on the field and in the classroom, he was a handful for offensive linemen all year.”
DL CURTIS SIMPSON, KINGS MOUNTAIN, 6-5, 200, JR.
2022 stats: 74 tackles, 38 tackles for a loss, 23 sacks, 33 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery.
Grice: “The most dominant defensive lineman on one of the best defensive lines in the state. His relentless pursuit made him a handful for any blocker and made every coordinator aware of his presence at all times.”
DL BRANDEN PALMER, HOUGH, 6-4, 215, Sr.
2022 stats: 53 tackles, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception, one fumble recovery.
Grice: “A high motor defender who requires special attention every game. His superior athleticism allows for him to make incredible plays all over the field.”
LB BEN CUTTER, EAST LINCOLN, 6-1, 210, Sr
2022 stats: 201 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss, four interceptions, two sacks.
Grice: “A high IQ linebacker with the ability to stop the run and cover the pass. Good size and a physical defender.”
LB TYQUAN RANKIN, BUTLER, 5-11, 210, Jr.
2022 stats: 110 tackles, four sacks, 33 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions, one blocked kick; 7 total TDs.
Grice: “A linebacker who plays the position with high energy. He is a ball magnet, always finding the ball and making plays to get his offense the ball.”
LB MICHAEL SHORT, MALLARD CREEK, 6-3, 220, Sr.
2022 stats: 108 tackles, 12 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 defensive touchdown.
Grice: “The perfect match of a high IQ linebacker with the great size and speed necessary to make plays. The leader of an elite Mallard Creek defense, he seems to always be the first player to the ball.”
DB JORDAN YOUNG, MONROE, 6-0, 165, SOPH
2022 stats: 8 interceptions for the season, including four in one game. Had 41 tackles, two blocked punts.
Grice: “An athletic defender, young with great potential! He proved to opposing offenses that he is not the defender to target.”
DB WILL ROSS, SOUTH POINT, 6-0, 190, SR.
2022 stats: 141 tackles total, including 74 solo, 3 tackles for loss, an interception; 431 return yards, 109 rushing yards.
Grice: “A good size defender with great speed to cover the pass and the ability to fill the alley and deliver a punishing blow to the ball carrier.”
DB JOSHUA SWITZER, ARDREY KELL, 5-11, 180, SR.
2022 stats: 85 tackles, two sacks, nine passes defended and two kick returns for a score; averaged 35 yards per return.
Grice: “A defender who can play in space, or can be inside the box, it’s rare to see a safety that’s part of a great defense have such a high tackle total, but this guy makes plays all over the field.”
DB TJ MCGILL, CHAMBERS, 6-0, 195, Sr.
2022 stats: 75 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles.
Grice: “One of the most physical defenders in the state, this DB punishes anyone near him with the ball. He has the speed and physicality to go up against anyone on the field.”
P OWEN FEHR, HOUGH, 5-10, 175, Sr.
2022 stats: 37 punts for a 45 yards average; hit 18 inside the 20 and had a long of 80 yards.
Grice: “The other half of the great specialist duo in Cornelius, with kicker Nolan Hauser, Fehr’s booming punts prove hard to handle for any returner and is guaranteed to put the other offense in a hole for their next drive.”
PR MARKELL QUICK, HOUGH, 5-11, 170, Sr.
2022 stats: 29 rushing yards, 864 receiving, 10 TDs; Averaged 16 yards per punt return and 37.4 on kick returns.
Grice: “Hough’s leading WR is also deadly in the return game, combining elite speed with the ability to evade defenders and make big plays with every return. You have to consider kicking away from guys that have the return ability that he displays each week.”
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Eliyt Naire, Olympic, 6-2, 260, Sr.
DL: Jaden Pierce, Shelby, 6-2, 300, Jr.
DL: AJ Richardson, Kings Mountain, 6-1, 230, Sr.
DL: Isaiah Shirley, Watauga, 6-3, 260, Sr.
LB: Demoris Jenkins, North Mecklenburg, 6-5, 220, Sr.
LB: Jordan Thompson, Chambers, 6-0, 192, Sr.
LB: Ben Watson, Newton-Conover, 5-11, 215, Sr.
DB: Brody Barnhardt, Providence Day, 6-1, 175, Jr.
DB: Rondell Carter, Chambers, 6-0, 178, Jr.
DB: Chris Peal, Providence Day, 6-0, 175, Sr.
DB: Keandre Walker, East Lincoln, 6-3, 180, Sr.
P: Tanner Baxter, Mountain Island Charter, 5-8, 160, Jr.
PR: Taivon Derisma, Chase, 6-1, 165, Sr.
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Charles House, North Mecklenburg, 6-5, 284, Soph.
DL: Davonyae Pettis, Crest, 6-3, 220, Sr.
DL: Kaden Thomas, Independence, 6-0, 195, Jr.
DL: Nick Vinson, Burns, 6-2, 185, Sr.
LB: Beady Waddell, West Mecklenburg, 6-0, 210, Jr.
LB: Sam Cowher, Cox Mill, 6-1, 215, Sr.
LB: Liam Groulx, Providence Day, 6-1, 210, Sr.
DB: Deuce Walker, Salisbury, 5-10, 160, Jr.
DB: Samari Matthews, Hough, 6-0, 172, Fresh.
DB: Reggie Daniel, Mountain Island Charter, 6-3, 170, Jr.
DB: Tye Allison, Community School of Davidson, 5-9, 170, Sr.
P: Win Byerley, Myers Park, 6-3, 205, Sr.
PR: Christyan Washington, Forest Hills, 5-10, 160, Jr.
Meet the all-star teams
CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYERS/COACH OF THE YEAR
CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFENSIVE TEAM
PHOTOS: Charlotte Observer First Team All Defense
