Jeremy Bibbs, Brookhaven High

A junior defensive end, Bibbs used his speed and athleticism to become a disruptive force on the edge of the defense for the Brookhaven High Panthers (11-2). The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Bibbs began the season playing primarily as a wide receiver, but his move to defensive end was big for a BHS defense that was among the best in the 5A classification for coach Tucker Peavey. Bibbs made 51 tackles, including a whopping 16 tackles for a loss, and six sacks. An MAC 5A All-State selection and All-Region pick, Bibbs also forced three fumbles and had six quarterback hurries.

 

Derwin Fields, Brookhaven High

A sophomore defensive end, Fields became a guy that opposing offenses had to account for in their game plan when they face the Brookhaven High Panthers (11-2). A speed rusher, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Fields blew past opposing blockers all season for head coach Tucker Peavey with his speed, effort, and length. Fields made 61 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks. An All-Region selection, Fields forced one fumble and recovered two for a BHS squad that made the 5A semifinals.

 

Christian Jones, Brookhaven High

A senior defensive tackle, one could best describe Jones as the heart and soul of the defense for a Brookhaven High (11-2) program that made the final four of the 5A classification. A 5-foot-11, 230-pound player who used great effort and energy to get the job done, Jones led the way with a team-high 13 sacks. He also made 71 tackles for coach Tucker Peavey along with 15 tackles for a loss along with seven quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while being selected All-Region and MAC 5A All-State.

 

Fabian Washington II, Brookhaven High

A junior defensive tackle, Washington was big in stopping anything trying to come through the middle of the Brookhaven High (11-2) defense. A true noseguard with his ability to plug up two gaps, the 6-foot, 280-pound Washington made 46 tackles for coach Tucker Peavey and his staff. Washington had four tackles for a loss, five sacks, and three quarterback hurries while earning All-Region honors.

 

Luke Cotten, Loyd Star

A senior linebacker, Cotton was tops on the team in solo tackles in his first full season as a starter for Loyd Star (10-3) and head coach Adam Smith. The 6-foot, 160-pound Cotten made 72 solo tackles and 122 total stops, second on the team only to his twin brother Zack. Luke Cotten had one tackle for a loss, one sack, and one interception for the Hornets while also earning All-Region honors.

 

Zack Cotten, Loyd Star

A senior linebacker, Cotten led Loyd Star (10-3) in tackles and is a repeat All-Area selection after another outstanding season. Cotten made 124 total stops in earning All-Region honors for a team that reached the third round of the 2A playoffs for only the second time in program history. The 6-foot, 180-pound Cotten also had eight tackles for a loss for LS coach Adam Smith.

 

Carson Cunningham, Loyd Star

A freshman linebacker, Cunningham showed he has a natural given nose for the ball in leading Loyd Star (10-3) in tackles for a loss this season. The 5-foot-8, 130-pound Cunningham darted his way through blockers to make 105 total tackles, 13 of which went for a loss. An All-Region selection, Cunningham also recovered two fumbles for Hornet head coach Adam Smith and the region champion Hornets.

 

Jeremiah Fortenberry, Lawrence County

A sophomore linebacker, Fortenberry stepped up to be a key piece of the defense in 2024 for Lawrence County (3-7). He led the team with 74 tackles, including four for a loss for the Cougars and coach Jesse Anderson. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Fortenberry forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and had a 15-tackle game this season for a LC squad that made the 4A playoffs.

 

Payton Kyzar, Enterprise

A senior linebacker, Kyzar played at an all-out style tempo that helped him lead Enterprise (6-5) in solo tackles this season. A repeat All-Area selection, Kyzar made 55 solo stops and 60 total tackles, including eight for a loss. The 6-foot, 160-pound Kyzar also had a sack, two interceptions, two caused fumbles and one recovered fumble for coach Trey Woodard and a 1A playoff team at Enterprise.

 

Hunter Meredith, Wesson

A senior linebacker, Meredith was once again one of the top tacklers for coach Jeremy Loy and a tough Cobra (7-3) defense. A repeat All-Area selection, Meredith earned All-Region honors while making 79 total tackles, including five tackles for a loss. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Meredith reminded Wesson fans of former linebacker Scott Hutt with the way he flew around the field while wearing no. 42. Meredith also made one sack and recovered a fumble for Wesson.

 

Hampton Smith, Brookhaven High

A freshman linebacker, Smith went from a substitute early in the season to an important starter in the middle of the Brookhaven High (11-2) defense. Smith made 94 tackles, including five for a loss to go along with three sacks. An All-Region selection, the 6-foot, 180-pound Smith had one interception along with one forced fumble and one recovered fumble for coach Tucker Peavey while also being a standout on the kick coverage units for BHS.

 

Austin Tanksley, Brookhaven Academy

A senior linebacker, Tanksley was one of the leaders in 2024 for Brookhaven Academy (2-8) and first year head coach Ryan Ross. Tanksley made a team high 39 solo stops, with three tackles being for a loss. An important piece of the offense as a fullback in the BA split-back veer offense, Tanksley also snagged one interception for the Cougar defense this season.

 

Warren Wallace, Bogue Chitto

A senior linebacker, Wallace had his best season in his final season suiting up for Bogue Chitto (6-5). Wallace led the team with 121 tackles and was named Region 7-2A Defensive MVP. The 5-foot-9, 220-pound Wallace had 24 tackles for a loss and five sacks for coach BJ Smithhart. Wallace also caused two fumbles as Bogue Chitto finished second in its region and made the second round of the 2A playoffs.

 

Durrell Washington Jr., Brookhaven High

A junior linebacker, Washington Jr. was a tackling machine this season for an elite Brookhaven High (11-2) defensive unit. Washington led the way with a team high 113 tackles for the Panthers and coach Tucker Peavey while also scoring two defensive touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Washington made 13 tackles for a loss and had four sacks to go along with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumbles recovered while earning All-Region and MAC 5A All-State honors for his physical style of play.

 

Cotton Westbrook, Wesson

A senior linebacker, Westbrook leaves behind some big boots to fill after again being a wrecking ball for the Wesson (7-3) defense. A three-time All-Area selection and an All-Region pick in 2024, Westbrook made a team high 97 tackles for coach Jeremy Loy. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Westbrook also had three tackles for a loss, one pass deflected, one fumble recovered, and three fumbles caused.

 

Hayden Avants, Bogue Chitto

A sophomore defensive back, Avants stepped into a starting role in the back of the Bogue Chitto (6-5) defense and improved throughout the season. The son of Bobcat defense coordinator Seth Avants, Hayden made 91 tackles for head coach BJ Smithhart. An All-Region selection, the 5-foot-6, 155-pound Avants was in on four sacks and 15 tackles for a loss while causing one fumble and recovering two fumbles.

 

Jamaal Brown, Brookhaven High

A senior defensive back, Brown was all over the field in pursuit of ball carriers this season for Brookhaven High (11-2). The 5-foot-6, 140-pound Brown plays with an aggression that makes him seem larger, as he accounted for 72 total tackles and three tackles for a loss. Brown broke up one pass, snagged three interceptions, forced three fumbles, and recovered three fumbles while also scoring one defensive touchdown for coach Tucker Peavey and the 5A Panthers.

 

Rameriaze Edwards, Brookhaven High

A senior defensive back, Edwards was one of the leading ballhawks on the back end of a big-time defense for Brookhaven High (11-2). A two-time state champion in powerlifting, the 5-foot-8, 145 Edwards snagged a team best six interceptions for coach Tucker Peavey while making 41 tackles. A MAC 5A All-State and All-Region selection, Edwards broke up five passes, caused two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and scored a defensive touchdown for the 5A semifinalist at BHS.

 

Dreamus Harron Jr., Brookhaven High

A junior defensive back, Harron Jr. was like a human Swiss Army knife for Brookhaven High (11-2) with both his versatility and toughness. An MAC All-State selection as a punter, Harron also shined as a safety, wide receiver, backup quarterback and return man. On defense, the 6-foot, 170-pound Harron made 38 tackles, had one tackle for a loss, two pass breakups and two interceptions. He also scored one rushing touchdown and caught three touchdown passes for coach Tucker Peavey and the Panthers while earning All-Region honors. Harron was Daily Leader All-Area Defensive MVP last season as a pitcher for BHS baseball.

Eddie Ratliff Jr., Brookhaven High

A junior defensive back, Ratliff Jr. is a force as he patrols the back end of the Brookhaven High (11-2) defense. Ratliff snagged five interceptions, which he returned for 139 yards. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Ratliff made 49 tackles, broke-up seven passes, and scored two defensive touchdowns. An All-Region and All-MAC selection, Ratliff also had a punt return touchdown and a rushing touchdown for coach Tucker Peavey and the Panthers as his ability to cover large areas of the field helped to make the defense so stout.

 

Laiken Thomas, Wesson

A freshman defensive back, Thomas exploded onto the high school stage this season by being a turnover magnet in 2024 for Wesson (7-3). The solidly built 5-foot-9, 150-pound Thomas made a team best seven interceptions. Thomas also deflected two passes and caused two fumbles for coach Jeremy Loy. The speedy Smith also made 47 tackles and returned two interceptions while also hauling in one touchdown catch as a receiver for a 3A playoff squad at Wesson.

 

Jacquez Yarborough, Enterprise

A senior defensive back, Yarborough was a physical presence on the back line of the Enterprise (6-5) defense. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Yarborough made 29 total tackles and had one tackle for a loss. The speedy Yarborough led the Yellow Jacket defense with four interceptions to go along with three other pass deflections. Yarborough also had a kick return for a touchdown in helping Enterprise and head coach Trey Woodard back to the 1A postseason.