2019 SI All-American Team: Defense

The first SI All-American defensive team at the prep level is announced.

Author:
John Garcia, Jr.
Publish date:
Dec 18, 2019

NEW YORK -- Sports Illustrated announced the inaugural SI All-American team on offense Monday. On Tuesday it's the defense's turn.

Comprised of four defensive linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs and an all-purpose player, the team is one of several to be rolled out in the weeks to come.

Selected on an annual basis starting this year, the new initiative from SI will feature 25 total seniors who have best exemplified athletic excellence in high school, with the potential to do similarly at the collegiate level. There is an added emphasis on senior season performance and progression compared to years past.

The dominant group is comprised of 12 total prospects, including nine already pledged to Power Five programs.

Defensive Line: Demonte Capehart (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy), Bryan Bresee (Demascus, Md.), Gervon Dexter (Lake Wales, Fla.), Jordan Burch (Columbia, S.C./Hammond)

This group is Clemson dominant with Bresee and Capehart already on board. Burch is considering the in-state program along with the likes of LSU and Georgia down the home stretch. Dexter, perhaps the newest to football on this list, is a longtime Florida Gator commitment.

Linebackers: Trenton Simpson (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek), Justin Flowe (Upland, Calif., Demouy Kennedy (Theodore, Ala.).

A group of big hitters, all three of these 'backers dabble as very productive running backs at the prep level. Simpson, who committed to Clemson last weekend, lines up all over the front seven and came up with 20 sacks as a senior. Flowe, who is committing on Wednesday between Clemson, Oregon, USC and Miami, is a downhill thumper with some viral clips to his name. Kennedy, an Alabama commitment, is probably the fastest of the bunch and it translates to head-turning collisions.

Secondary: Elias Ricks (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy), Kelee Ringo (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro), Clark Phillips (La Habra, Calif.), Enzo Jennings (Oak Park, Mich.)

Ricks, who is committed to LSU, and Ringo have dueled as the top cornerback projections in the class of 2020 and the jury is still out there on which elite cover man projects better. Each is long and athletic with ball skills, which can also be said for the Penn State-bound Jennings even though he belongs closer to the action with his striking ability. Phillips, a longtime Ohio State commitment also considering Utah down the stretch, is a three-phase playmaker with classic nickel type traits. Expect to see the Californian work at least two phases in college.

All-Purpose: Avantae Williams (DeLand, Fla.)

The one-time Oregon Duck commitment, who will sign in February and chose between a host of programs, is a three-phase impact player at the prep level. As a kick returner, few in Florida have had the production he has, and it means he makes the same types of big plays on offense. But defensively, he may be the most instinctive secondary projection in the state in his ability to impact both the pass and running game with physicality.

2019 SI All-American Defensive Team:

DL Demonte Capehart, Clemson (Why Capehart?)

DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson (Why Bresee?)

DL Gervon Dexter, Florida (Why Dexter?)

DL Jordan Burch, Uncommitted (Why Burch?)

LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson (Why Simpson?)

LB Justin Flowe, Uncommitted (Why Flowe?)

LB Demouy Kennedy, Alabama (Why Kennedy?)

DB Elias Ricks, LSU (Why Ricks?)

DB Kelee Ringo, Uncommitted (Why Ringo?)

DB Clark Phillips, Ohio State (Why Phillips?)

DB Enzo Jennings, Penn State (Why Jennings?)