As the 2025 high school football season approaches, 912_Suspence on Instagram has dropped its Preseason Top 5 Defensive Players at Each Position across Coastal Georgia.
This list is built on 2024 performance, team impact, coaching stability, and strength of schedule. Player stats and honors are pulled from MaxPreps.com and All-Area media coverage.
Here's a look at the preseason 912_suspence top defenders to watch this fall:
Defensive Line
Kam Cody (#55), Benedictine
A force in the trenches last season with 67 solo tackles, 22 assists, for a total of 89, with 11 tackles for loss, with 8.5 being sacks. Cody is a returning All-State player and a Clemson commit.
Isaiah Redmond (#7), Bethesda
Athletic and powerful, Redmond transferred from Savannah Christian and will anchor the defending state champion Bethesda front line. In 10 games, he recorded 23 solo tackles, 30 assists, and 53 total tackles, along with six tackles for loss, five sacks, and one interception.
Jay Varner (#77), Calvary Day
Intense and explosive, Varner plays with a high motor and relentless pursuit. In 9 games, he made 13 solo tackles, 14 assists, and 27 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Davion Melton (#76), Savannah Christian Prep
Davion is a powerful two-way lineman who made the 912_Suspense Preseason Team on both offense and defense. In 2024, on defense in six games, he totaled five solo tackles, four assists, and nine total tackles in limited reps, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Buddy Curry (#65), Calvary Day
Curry adds strength and versatility to a strong Cavalier defensive front. In 11 games, he recorded 23 solo tackles, 23 assists, and 46 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss.
Linebackers
La'Damion Guyton, Benedictine
La'Damion Guyton, a highly-rated 5-star edge rusher, transferred to Benedictine from Savannah Christian ahead of the 2025 season. In just nine games last year, he posted 52 tackles and 6.5 sacks, earning All-State Honorable Mention honors from the AJC. Guyton has quickly become one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the country, picking up more than 20 scholarship offers. His list includes powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, Miami, and USC, among many others.
Larson Little (#9), Benedictine
A physical, downhill linebacker with excellent run-stopping ability and leadership. Larson is a tough junior linebacker who plays with power and leads the defense. In 12 games, he made 61 solo tackles, 27 assists, and 88 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss.
AuJshawn Izzard (#9), Jenkins
Explosive and instinctive, Izzard leads a fast and hard-hitting Jenkins unit. In 12 games, he totaled 31 solo tackles, 22 assists, and 53 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Isaiah Jones (#17), Benedictine
A versatile defender with a nose for the football who can cover and rush effectively. In 12 games, he recorded 76 solo tackles, 25 assists, and 101 total tackles, including five tackles for loss.
Hayes Beaver (#52), Country Day
Earned All-Region honors in 2024 and is known for his sideline-to-sideline tackling and football IQ. In 12 games, he recorded 75 solo tackles, 50 assists, and 125 total tackles, averaging over 10 tackles per game. He earned All-Region honors in 2024 and was also named a High School Football America Georgia Academic All-American for his achievements on and off the field. Beaver has five college offers.
Defensive Backs
Micah Williams (#2), Benedictine
AJC All-State DB and All-Region selection. Notched four interceptions and 74 tackles in 2024 and recently committed to Appalachian State. In 11 games during the 2024 season, he made 58 solo tackles, 22 assists, and 80 total tackles, with two tackles for loss.
Emerson Lewis (#20), Calvary Day
A junior now, Lewis had five interceptions and earned All-Region honors. He holds offers from Auburn, Kentucky, South Carolina, SMU, East Carolina, and Wake Forest. In 12 games, he had 25 solo tackles, 19 assists, and 44 total tackles, along with five tackles for loss and five interceptions.
Brexton Bell (#5), Calvary Day
Very athletic, Bell excels in man-to-man coverage and can create turnovers. In 11 games, he totaled 32 solo tackles and 40 assists, bringing his total to 72 tackles, which includes 7.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Before the season begins, Bell has offers from North Carolina, Georgia Southern, and Georgia State.
JoJo Sutton (#1), Benedictine
Physical and aggressive in coverage, Sutton returns to solidify the Cadet secondary. In 12 games, he totaled 41 solo tackles, 14 assists, and 55 total tackles, including six tackles for loss.
Jernard Albright (#7), Effingham County - A 6'1" free safety, Albright steps into a starting role for Effingham—no stats on MaxPreps.com. The junior has been turning heads in college recruiting circles, earning multiple offers from top programs such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M.
Final Whistle
This 912_Suspense Preseason All-Defense Team recognizes elite returning defenders from 23 Coastal Empire schools. These athletes are primed to shut down opponents and anchor playoff-caliber teams in 2025.
From the trenches to the secondary, defense wins championships—and these players are ready to prove it. Friday night lights will be turned on soon. Are you ready for some football?
Photo Credit: Courtesy Proshot_Media LLC
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