Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2023: Defensive line
PRESEASON ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP
DEFENSIVE LINE
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Jeremiah Bailey, Moreau Catholic, 6-0, 240, senior
The leader of both the defensive and offensive lines. The strongest player on the team. Student-body president with a 4.0 GPA. First-team all-league in 2022.
Romeo Castillo, Wilcox, 6-3, 245, senior
First-team all-league and honorable mention all-Bay Area News Group last season. Will also play guard for the Chargers this fall.
Delon Craft Jr., Salesian, 6-6, 260, junior
Two-year starter on both the offensive and defensive line. First-team all-TCAL Rock last season. Will be among the team’s leaders.
Nalesoni Fakava, San Mateo, 6-0, 280, senior
Co-defensive lineman of the year in the PAL Ocean and all-BANG honorable mention pick last season. Had 48 tackles, a team-best nine for loss, and two blocked FG attempts in 2022.
Aseli Fangupo, Sacred Heart Prep, 5-10, 270, junior
A two-way player was a second-team all-BANG selection last season as an offensive lineman. Also received first-team all-league recognition.
Benjamin Hatch, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 6-3, 240, senior
Three-year varsity starter and first-team all-West Catholic Athletic League selection last season. Plays DL/OL. Has an offer from Weber State. San Jose State has shown interest.
Khayri Jett, Menlo-Atherton, 6-0, 245, senior
As his coach put it, spends a lot of time in the offensive backfield while playing defense. Lines up at defensive end and on the offensive line. Has a strong nose for the ball..
Matthew Johnson, De La Salle, 6-6, 252, junior
The four-star standout is big and athletic. Has offers from numerous Power 5 schools, including USC, Oregon, Washington, Michigan and Notre Dame.
Tevita Pekipaki, Santa Teresa, 6-3, 285, senior
A dominant player on defense and a strong blocker on the offensive line for a Santa Teresa team that captured section and regional championships last season.
Timo Poloka, Serra, 6-0, 280, senior
Should be a physical presence for one of NorCal’s premier programs. Has an offer from Nevada.
Santana Roberts, Heritage, 6-0, 300, senior
The strongest player on the team, benching pressing more than 400 points, according to his coach. Has an offer from Pacific Oregon.
Jordan Snowden, Benicia, 6-4, 220, senior
Edge pass rusher is generating interest from a handful of schools, including Stanford, Sacramento State and UC Davis. “Should have a big season,” Benicia coach Scott Swartz said.
Benjamin Thurman, Berkeley, 6-4, 210, junior
Lines up as an edge rusher on defense. Also plays wide receiver, which might be his main position. A three-star prospect, per 247Sports, with offers from Oregon State, San Jose State and Nevada.
Naki Tuakoi, Fremont-Oakland, 6-4, 222, senior
One of the top recruits in his class. The Stanford commit lines up as an edge rusher and linebacker. Has 18 offers, including 15 from Power 5 schools.
Kelepi Vete, Tennyson, 6-6, 255, junior
A force on both the defensive and offensive lines. Has a half-dozen offers at last check, Cal, Arizona, Arizona State and Baylor among them.
Jewelous Walls, Pittsburg, 6-3, 225, junior
A four-star prospect, according to 247Sports. Will be a force for the storied Pittsburg program. Has 11 offers, including from USC, Oregon, Washington and Cal. San Jose State also has offered.
Coming the next two weeks
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Correspondent Mike Lefkow contributed to this report.