A great defense is built on more than a strong defensive line.
Once the ball gets past the line of scrimmage, it's up to the linebackers and cornerbacks to finish the play. Linebackers have to stop the run, rush the quarterback, and cover receivers. Cornerbacks are asked to line up against the other team's best receivers and make plays when the football comes their way.
The best ones don't just make tackles. They force turnovers, break up passes and get their team off the field.
These 10 players did exactly that during the 2025 season. That's why they are the 28 Suspence/912 Suspence the top linebackers and cornerbacks to watch in the 912 this season.
Top 5 Linebackers
1. Jaylon Deal – Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill counted on Jaylon Deal every Friday night.
The junior linebacker led the Wildcats with 99 tackles while adding six tackles for loss, five sacks, seven quarterback hurries, one interception and three forced fumbles.
If Richmond Hill needed a stop, there was a good chance Deal was the one making it.
2. Kenneth Baker – Calvary Day
Calvary Day had plenty of playmakers on defense, and Kenneth Baker was one of the biggest reasons why.
The Arkansas State commit finished with 69 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, 14 quarterback hurries and one forced fumble as the Cavaliers reached the GHSA Class A-3A state championship game.
Whether he was stopping the run or blitzing off the edge, Baker made offenses account for him on every snap.
3. Layton Steigelman – Richmond Hill
Playing alongside Jaylon Deal didn't keep Layton Steigelman from having a big season of his own.
Steigelman recorded 72 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries and recovered two fumbles.
Week after week, he gave the Wildcats another linebacker offenses had to deal with.
4. Ivyn Richardson – Savannah Christian
Ivyn Richardson was all over the field for Savannah Christian.
Richardson matched the area's high with 99 tackles while adding five tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.
He had a nose for the football and rarely let a play get away from him.
5. Rasheen Jackson – Benedictine
Benedictine has built its reputation on tough, physical defense, and Rasheen Jackson fit right in.
Jackson finished the season with 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and four quarterback hurries.
He played fast, played downhill and helped keep the Cadets among the area's top defensive teams.
Top 5 Cornerbacks
1. Emerson Lewis – Calvary Day
Quarterbacks thought twice before throwing in Emerson Lewis' direction.
The Maryland commit finished with 56 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, six pass breakups, one blocked punt, one blocked field goal and one fumble recovery.
Lewis wasn't just a shutdown corner. He found ways to change games.
2. Jonathon Black – Benedictine
Jonathon Black always seemed to be around the football.
The Benedictine cornerback totaled 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups and four fumble recoveries.
If the football hit the ground, there was a good chance Black would come up with it.
3. Semaj Calhoun – South Effingham
Semaj Calhoun made quarterbacks look somewhere else.
The South Effingham standout recorded 34 tackles, three interceptions, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
He had a knack for making the big play when his team needed it.
4. Justin Washington – Calvary Day
Playing opposite Emerson Lewis meant plenty of passes came Justin Washington's way.
He answered with 24 tackles, three interceptions and three pass breakups while helping give Calvary Day one of the area's best secondaries.
Teams couldn't simply throw away from Lewis because Washington was ready on the other side.
5. Chris Jenkins – Effingham County
Chris Jenkins quietly put together another strong season for Effingham County.
Jenkins finished with 20 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups while helping anchor the Rebels' secondary.
Receivers didn't get many easy catches when Jenkins was in coverage.
Final Whistle
Great defenses are built one level at a time.
The defensive line creates pressure. Linebackers clean up the middle. Cornerbacks take away big plays and create turnovers.
These 10 players did their jobs as well as anyone in the Coastal Empire during the 2025 season, earning their place on the 28 Suspence/912 Suspence Top Linebackers and Cornerbacks in the 912.
Photos courtesy of proshot_sports and the players' social media accounts.
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Prep Sports Report Football Coverage Presented by Optim Orthopedics
Optim Orthopedics wants you in the game.
Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
