As we hear at times that the Florida Panhandle is forgotten about, but here at FloridaHSFootball.com we try to cover all areas equally to the best of our abilities. As we start to roll out our Top 10 lists from each region for the 2023 season sprinkled with dozens and dozens of talented athletes, we look to see who were the Top 10 by position that will include the following positions: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Offensive Lineman, Defensive Lineman, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Kickers/Punters.
To determine the ranking, statistics, team strength of schedule from the 2023 season with tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks weighted the heaviest along with team strength of schedule, were among the factors considered for the ranking. Just because an athlete had a high number of tackles does not automatically place one at the top for the list or having the highest amount of sacks. Also prospect or recruiting rankings do not have a factor in determining who the best defensive linemen were for our lists.
Here is our ranking of the Top 10 defensive linemen from the Panhandle for the 2023 season:
DL Jalen Wiggins, Rickards (Tallahassee) [Photo Credit: Hudl]What a season the Florida Gator commit had despite the Raiders missing the playoffs and only winning three games in what was a competitive schedule. Wiggins was all over the field, racking up 97 tackles with 31 of those being for a loss, and collecting 16 sacks. Wiggins also recovered a fumble while forcing two fumbles and recorded 37 quarterback hurries as well.
What a way to start your young career to be on a list like this finishing your sophomore year with 73 tackles with 15 of those being for a loss along with 10 sacks. Alloway is going to be a huge factor for the Indians’ defensive line over the next couple of years.
3. Chancy Jordan, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Jr.
DL Chancy Jordan, Lincoln (Tallahassee) [Photo Credit: @chancyjordan1/X]One of the things we look at is the strength of schedule when stacking up some of the best players by position because not all statistics are created equal. In this case for Jordan, he racked up 79 tackles but only recorded four sacks during the Trojans’ run to a district championship and a playoff berth. Jordan did however have 11 tackles for loss along with a fumble recovery that helped him earn his spot on this list.
4. Terius Mason, Pensacola Catholic, Jr.
DL Terius Mason [Photo Credit: @TeriusMason/X]One of the big reasons why the Crusaders went as far as they did in the 2023 season – a trip to the state semifinals – was because of the defense and Mason was a part of that success. To his credit, Mason had 65 tackles with 13 of those tackles for loss. He also recorded six sacks along the way and forced four fumbles.
DL Jeremiah Shelby, Pensacola Catholic [Photo Credit: @JeremiahShelby2/X]Like Mason, Shelby also contributed a lot to the Crusaders’ run to the state semifinals contributing 57 tackles with 13 tackles for loss. He also added five sacks to his total and will be a big contributor for Pensacola Catholic going into the 2024 season.
DL Jalil Griffin, Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) [Photo Credit: @JGriffin1210/X]Despite less than 50 tackles, Griffin was a big part of a very strong Indians’ defensive line that reached the regional finals in 2023. To Griffin’s credit, he had 43 tackles with four of those for a loss, along with a fumble recovery and a forced fumble, and has received massive praise from his head coach, Frank Beasley for his abilities.
7. Terrance Coleman, Rickards (Tallahassee), Sr.
DL Terrance Coleman, Rickards [Photo Credit: @TColeman_2/X]When teammate Jalen Wiggins wasn’t making plays, it would be Coleman that would be making plays. Coleman racked up 54 tackles with 13 for a loss while also collecting seven sacks. Coleman also had a fumble recovery and a forced fumble along with seven pass breakups.
8. Courtney Clark, Pensacola Catholic, Sr.
DL Courtney Clark [Photo Credit: @cclark211/X]The Crusaders had their knack for a strong defensive line and this being the third player to grace the list, you can see why they were one of two teams from the Panhandle region to get to the state semifinals in 2023. Clark collected 41 tackles along with nine of those for a loss plus added five sacks to the total. Clark also forced a fumble as well.
DL Jawaun Campbell, Walton (DeFuniak Springs) [Photo Credit: @CampbellJawaun/X]Campbell was a big man tackling machine racking up over 100 tackles, with 105 tackles to be exact during the 2023 season that saw the Braves win a district championship and earn a playoff berth. Campbell also added in seven tackles for loss, seven sacks, three fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns, and an interception.
10. Messiah Everhart, Escambia (Pensacola), Sr.
Everhart was a big part of the Gators’ defense that reached the playoffs, collecting 55 tackles with 11 of those for a loss. Everhart also menaced quarterbacks with three hurries while registering 6.5 sacks.
Honorable Mention: Ryan McVay, Escambia (Pensacola), Sr.; Desjon Robertson, Pensacola Catholic, Sr.; Shamane Walker, Gulf Breeze, Sr.; Tristan Thompson, Leon (Tallahassee), Jr.; Aiden Dunn, Mosley (Lynn Haven), Soph.; Herschel Blackmon, Wakulla (Crawfordville), Sr.; Tylon Lee, Pace, Jr.; Jeremiah McCloud, Gadsden County (Havana), Jr.; Decaris Brown, Booker T. Washington (Pensacola), Jr.; Josiah Knight, Gadsden County, Sr.
Joshua is the Owner & Publisher of FloridaHSFootball.com. He oversees many different things on the website and keeps a tab on what is going on around the state in both Football and Girls' Flag Football.
