High school football fans can now vote for their top defensive player from the midseason mark in the Knoxville area for the 2026 TSSAA football season.
The poll closes on Friday, Oct. 2 at noon. Stats are based off from last week's midseason defensive player watch list. Players were chosen from coach submission.
Darius Sudderth, Alcoa, Sr.:
Sudderth has 22 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two pressures.Maddox Tackett, Anderson County, Jr.: Tackett has paired two interceptions with 26 total tackles.
David Weaver, Austin-East, Sr.: Weaver has 24 tackles, six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and a sack.
Marvin Wyrosdick, CAK, Jr.: Wyrosdick has 29 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup.
Johnny Rosenbalm,
Carter, Sr.: Rosenbalm commands the Hornets' defense with 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, a sack and a defensive touchdown.
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Jeremiah Caswell, Catholic, Jr.: Caswell has 33 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.
Keagan Covington, Catholic, Jr.: Covington has 32 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Reed White, Clinton, Sr.: White has 23 tackles, six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Bo Cutshaw, Cosby, So.: Cutshaw's recorded 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble.
Zion Nelson, Fulton, Jr.: Nelson patrols with 11 tackles, three interceptions, a pass breakup, a quarterback pressure and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Seth Seiber, Gibbs, Sr.: Seiber has 26 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and three quarterback pressures.
Jackson Coffey, Grace Christian, Sr.: Coffey has 40 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pressures and two forced fumbles.
Will Pasley, Grace Christian, Jr.: Pasley has 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 tackles for loss, two pressures and a forced fumble at defensive tackle.
Cooper Barrow, Greenback, Sr.: Barrow has 32 tackles, 17 quarterback pressures and four sacks.
Cole Smith, Greeneville, Sr.: Smith has 29 tackles, seven tackles and two pass breakups.
Carson Pearce, Halls, Sr.: Pearce has 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Gavin Self, Halls, Sr.: Self leads Halls' defense with 79 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Carter Jones, Hardin Valley, Sr.: Jones has 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one sack.
Julian Jones, Jellico, Sr.: Jones has 45 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and a sack.
Maki Bell, Lakeway Christian, Sr.: Bell has dominated up front with 37 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.
Dax Cole, Maryville, Sr.: Cole has 37 tackles, two interceptions, two tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback pressure, a pass breakup and a blocked kick.
JP Peace, Maryville, Sr.: The Tennessee football commit has 27 tackles, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a quarterback pressure, and a sack.
Carson McDaniel, McMinn County, Jr.: McDaniel is one of the top midseason defenders with 72 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, eight quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and a blocked kick.
Kayden Stuart, Oak Ridge, Sr.: Stuart leads with 21 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups and a quarterback pressure.
Isaias Amador, Powell, Sr.: Amador has 46 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, eight quarterback pressures, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
Joshua Kay, Powell, Jr.: Kay has excelled off the edge with 41 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback pressures, nine sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Alexis Martinez, Sevier County, Jr.: Martinez has 37 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks.
Jaxson Perry, Sevier County, Sr.: Perry has 16 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
Cole Jackson, South-Doyle, Sr.: Jackson has 62 tackles, five tackles for loss, two pass breakups, an interception, a quarterback pressure and a forced fumble.
Baker Noutcha, The King's Academy, Jr.: Noutcha has 30 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles in TKA's first season back in TSSAA competition.
Bryton Beeler, Union County, Sr.: Beeler has 36 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 1.5 tackles for loss.
D'Andre Brinson, West, So.: Brinson has 22 tackles, four pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble.
Mason Johnson, William Blount, Sr.: Johnson leads the Govs defense with 63 total tackles, nine quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Vote for 2026 TSSAA football top defensive player at midseason in the Knoxville area
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