Local defensive players on the gridiron are throttling opposing offenses, earning top-flight scholarship offers and leading the state in defensive metrics.
Check out the ballhawking defensive backs, hard-hitting linebackers and agents of backfield chaos on the defensive line that make up The Star's top-10 list of the top defensive playmakers in high school football.
1. Isaiah Phelps, Pacifica
Numbers, eye test — it doesn’t matter. The Star's reigning Defensive Player of the Year was consistently excellent last season, making the Tritons’ biggest defensive plays and leading the state in tackles (232). He has done more of the same this fall.
Isaiah Phelps makes the play on third and 5. PV goes three
and out to start. https://t.co/1bfkO9bOaG pic.twitter.com/ErlYdOLXOx
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) November 29, 2025
2. Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, Oaks Christian
At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, the defensive lineman and USC commit led the Lions in sacks (8) and tackles for a loss (13.5) last fall. The senior has been a bright spot for the Lions on defense to start the 2026 campaign, racking up 63 tackles, 15.0 tackles for a loss and 2.5 of sacks.
3. Micah Hannah, Simi Valley
The senior hasn't picked off a pass yet this fall, but that doesn't mean you should test him. Valencia quarterback Brady Bretthauser and Spanish Springs (Nevada) quarterback Tyson McNeil threw for a combined 77 TDs and just six interceptions last fall. Two of them belonged to Hannah — one from each.
4. Simon Mekari, Newbury Park
The breakout defensive star of the season has been the 6-foot-1, 195-pound outside linebacker. The junior has broken games open with his playmaking this fall, grabbing a pick-six in Newbury Park's Conejo Valley rivalry win over Thousand Oaks, a fumble recovery against Hart and two sacks in the upset win over Pacifica.
5. Landon Stuart, Newbury Park
The Panthers have stepped up into the Marmonte League without missing a beat in large part because of the pressure their defensive front has been applying to opposing quarterbacks. The 6-foot, 260-pound defensive end leads the team with 6.0 sacks and also has 8.0 TFL.
On fourth and 4 from the NP 16, Thousand Oaks elects to go for it. Newbury Park’s Landon Stuart with the interception of the deflected pass.
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) October 25, 2025
14-7 NP 2:56 Q3 https://t.co/R6at9yuc4s pic.twitter.com/syDSrm0VcP
6. Philip "PeeWee" Wilson III, Pacifica
The 6-foot-1 middle linebacker plays way bigger than his diminutive nickname, forcing fumbles, intercepting passes and filling open holes. The senior is hoping to lead Pacifica to another CIF-State championship bowl berth, which would incredibly be his fourth straight appearance on the final week of the season.
7. David Dias, Moorpark
At 5-foot-9 and 208 pounds, the senior defensive tackle is a gamewrecker who spends his Friday nights in opposing backfields. Despite playing inside, this mini-version of Aaron Donald is second in the county with 6.5 sacks through seven games.
8. Will Gelt, Agoura
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end had the most sacks last year for any returning player (11) and is on track to do it again this fall. He has already brought down enemy quarterbacks a county-best 8.5 times through seven games.
Two huge sacks from Agoura’s Will Gelt, including this one that stalls a promising Fillmore drive and forces a punt. pic.twitter.com/CjJ9Ek5Hmy
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) October 18, 2025
9. Gael Flores, Santa Paula
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound edge told The Star he is taking aim at the Cardinals single-season sack record this fall. As a junior, he had 21 TFLs and 10 sacks along with 102 tackles — 47 of them solo. This fall, he leads Santa Paula with 7.5 sacks, 13.0 TFL and 76 tackles through seven games.
ANOTHER blocked punt for Santa Paula!
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) November 22, 2025
This time it’s Gael Flores who gets to the ball first, and the Cards take over on the Bellflower 20-yard line. pic.twitter.com/GvVBLMJv2O
10. Alder Kubic, Oxnard
Leading the state in solo tackles means bringing down ball carriers in the most clutch situations. The senior linebacker has done just that, piling up 106 tackles — 83 of them solo — to lock down the middle of the field for the Jackets.
Dominic Massimino covers football for The Star. He can be reached at dominic.massimino@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcsdominic on Twitter and Instagram.
Joe Curley covers football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcspreps on Twitter/X, Instagram/Threads, Facebook, Bluesky and TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The Star ranks the area's top-10 defensive playmakers in prep football
