20 football players to watch on defense, 20 days before practice begins for 2024 season

The 2024-25 football season is just 20 days away from its first official practice on July 31.

The 2024 NCHSAA football season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 23, with all 10 of Cumberland County's public high school teams in action.

Seventy-First will kick off its season at home against Richmond Senior to begin defense of last year's 3A East championship, and Pine Forest will host Cape Fear for a highly-anticipated match on opening night.

The Fayetteville Observer took a look at the top 20 defensive players in the area, 20 days before the season begins.

Here are the top defensive players to watch on the field this season.

John Archer, DL, Seventy-First

In his freshman season, the 6-foot-5 Archer held his own at the nose guard spot with 82 total tackles and three sacks.

Dontario Austin, LB, Trinity Christian

The South View transfer marked his territory as the top linebacker in the area as a first-team All-United 8 selection, second in the conference with 153 tackles and a league-high 13.9 tackles per game.

Anthony Bethea, DB, Seventy-First

Bethea was second for the Falcons in interceptions in his junior year with four. He also collected 77 total tackles.

Kaleb Caraway, LB, Gray's Creek

As a junior, Caraway led the Bears in sacks with three on the year and collected 128 tackles.

Bryan Charles, LB, Cape Fear

Charles earned honorable mention on the United 8 all-conference list after picking up 97 total tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Jaquavious Crumpler, DB, Trinity Christian

Crumpler was stout for the Crusaders last season. He racked up 25 tackles over the course of seven games.

Rashad Dockery, SS, South View

Dockery was key for the Tigers last season. As a junior, he tied for first on the team in interceptions with two, and picked up 72 tackles and two sacks.

Elijah Evans, LB, Jack Britt

Evans led the Buccaneers in sacks with three on the season and had 68 total tackles, 48 of them solo.

Donavan Frederick, LB, Seventy-First

Frederick led the Falcons in total tackles and ranked seventh in the state among all classifications with 175 to become the United 8 and 910Preps Defensive Player of the Year. He already has more than a dozen DI offers.

Marquan Footman, DL, Cape Fear

Footman was a force at defensive end last season. As a junior, he led the Colts in sacks with 12.5 and 73 total tackles.

Damien Gary, DB, Cape Fear

At defensive back, Gary led the team in interceptions with three in his junior season and finished with 62 total tackles.

Jontayvious Hill, DL, Pine Forest

Hill picked up four sacks and 64 total tackles in his junior season to land on first team All-AAC defensive list.

Christian Jackson, DB, Seventy-First

Jackson was fourth in tackles for the Falcons with 141 total and was named on the United 8 honorable mentions list.

Jaylin Jessup, LB, Westover

Jessup finished second on the team with eight sacks last season as a sophomore. He also picked up 77 total tackles.

Jaleel Parker, ATH, Jack Britt

Parked tied for first on the team in interceptions with two and had 98 total tackles as a sophomore.

Troy Shannon, LB, Terry Sanford

As a junior, Shannon led the Bulldogs in sacks with 6.5 on the season and averaged eight tackles per game.

Bobby Soles, LB, South View

Soles was the Tigers' tackles per game leader with 11.1, and 122 total tackles as a junior as well as tying for first in interceptions with two.

Xayden Watson, ATH, Trinity Christian

Watson led the Crusaders in interceptions with six and collected 15 tackles on the season.

Gavin Williams, LB, South View

Williams earned a United 8 all-conference nod with an honorable mention for his defense after collecting 83 tackles — 10 of them for loss.

Izaiah Williams, DB, Terry Sanford

Williams led the Bulldogs in interceptions and tackles per game as a sophomore with four picks and he averaged 8.8 tackles a game.