MaxPreps Preseason Defensive Small Schools All-Americans presented by DonJoy Performance

Video: Preseason All-Americans Presented by DonJoy // Small Schools - Defense

MaxPreps and DonJoy have teamed up to honor the best high school football players in the nation coming into the 2016 season.

The following are the top defensive players on small enrollment teams. This group is dominated by standouts from the South region. Of the 14 selections, four are from Florida, three from Georgia, two from Louisiana and one each from California, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and South Carolina.


DL – Tyler Shelvin, 6-3, 300, Notre Dame (Crowley, La.)
The nation's No. 31 recruit overall according to 247Sports Composite, Shelvin has already committed to LSU. He's ranked the second-best defensive tackle in the country and No. 1 recruit overall in Louisiana. He helped the Pioneers to a 14-0 record and a state Division III title while earning first-team MaxPreps junior all-American honors in 2015.

DL – Ja'len Parks, 6-4, 304, Newberry (Fla.)
Another top 100 national recruit, Parks is a Florida State commit. He committed, in fact, before his freshman season at Newberry.

DL – Bryan Jones, 6-5, 240, Madison Prep Academy (Baton Rouge, La.)
Another Louisiana standout, Jones is a defensive end who led Madison Prep Academy to an 11-1 record in 2015. He's already committed to Ole Miss, though with 28 offers, LSU and Texas appear still in the mix.

DL — Addison Gumbs, 6-4, 220, Stellar Prep (Oakland, Calif.)
As a defensive end and outside linebacker, Gumbs had 23 sacks in 10 games last season among his 74 tackles. The nation's No. 10 player at his position has 27 offers, including top choices Oklahoma, USC and Washington.

LB — Nathan McBride, 6-2, 220, Vidalia (Ga.)
McBride led the Indians to an 8-4 record last season while being pursued by Georgia and Alabama, among the 18 schools that have offered him a scholarship. Auburn, Oregon and Stanford are among other schools after McBride. He's ranked the second-best inside linebacker in the country.

LB — DJ Taylor, 6-2, 215, Huntland (Tenn.)
A two-sport standout and dual-threat player, Taylor actually did more damage on offense last season, rushing for 1,682 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games. He added 50 tackles on defense but is being recruited as a linebacker. He's committed to Wake Forest.

LB — Willie Hampton, 6-1, 225, Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Speed is a big part of this linebacker's game, as he's been clocked at 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Hampton had nine sacks and 47 tackles in 11 games last season. He's committed to Nebraska. Editor's note: After publication, Hampton transferred to American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.).

LB — Brian Roberts, 5-11, 182, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Though not very big by linebacker standards, Roberts is a big-play defender, recording one third of his tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He has six college offers, including favorite Central Michigan.

LB — Octavius Morris, 6-2, 216, Clinch County (Homerville, Ga.)
The Troy commit helped Clinch County to a 14-1 record and a Class A Public state title last season. Georgia State is another school that is pursuing Morris heavily.

DB — Shaun Wade, 6-1, 180, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
One of the top players in the country — he's ranked the 17th-best player overall and No. 3 cornerback — Wade does it all for one of the nation's top teams. The Ohio State commit had 35 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions on defense last year and caught 17 passes for 343 yards and two scores as a receiver. DB – Lamont Wade 5-8, 185, Clairton (Pa.)
Like Shaun Wade, Lamont Wade (no relation) was a first-team MaxPreps junior all-American after rushing for more than 1,000 yards on just 99 carries. He's ranked the No. 58 player overall (No. 8 cornerback) in the country. He's secured 23 scholarship offers but it appears to be coming down between Ohio State and Penn State.

DB – William Poole, 6-0, 180, Hapeville Charter (Atlanta)
The Georgia commit is ranked the 16th-best cornerback in the country by the 247Sports composite and No. 120 overall. Poole has a whopping 39 college offers, including Alabama, which is recruiting him hard.

DB – Justin Broiles, 6-0, 175, Marshall (Oklahoma City)
Ranked the 21st top cornerback in the country, Broiles has already committed to Oklahoma even though 32 other schools have made him offers. Broiles helped the Bears to a 10-2 season last year and was in on 47 tackles.

P – Davondre Robinson, 5-11, 190, Lake Marion (Santee, S.C.)
There's not much Robinson doesn't do on the football field for Lake Marion, which finished 9-4 and reached the Class AA Division I semifinals. Robinson threw for 446 yards, rushed for 915, caught 23 passes for 441 yards and added 112 tackles. Oh yes, as a punter, he averaged 49.4 yards per punt on 34 tries. He's got 19 college offers, but Clemson and South Carolina appear to be the favorites.