Defense, oftentimes, can be the best offense.
High school football practice starts on Aug. 12 around Illinois and the Peoria area. This is the second of a five-part series highlighting quarterbacks, running backs, linemen, wide receivers and defensive players to watch during the 2024 season.
Here are 10 defensive players to watch, with players listed alphabetically.
IHSA football preview: 10 top linemen to watch around Peoria this 2024 IHSA football season
Lawson Alwan, Peoria Notre Dame
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior picked up all-Big 12 Conference second-team honors in the backfield last season. As a linebacker, Alwan had 66 tackles, six for a loss to go with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. PND's defense allowed 20.5 points a game during its run to the 2023 Class 4A second round.
Noah Bell-Lorentzen, Washington
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior was an a ll-Mid-Illini Conference first team-team defensive lineman in last season. Bell posted 35 tackles with five tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, two interceptions and a defensive TD. He was key to the Panthers' run to the Class 6A state semifinals.
Ty Dykes, Tremont
The 6-foot, 245-pound senior was an all-Mid-Illini first-team selection and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state honorable mention last season at Metamora. Dykes had 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and 12 quarterback pressures in 2023.
Talan Hull, ROWVA/Williamsfield
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior was a unanimous all-LincolnLand-Small Division first-team linebacker last season. Hull had 60 tackles with seven tackles for loss, four sacks, one punt block, a fumble record, four interceptions and two defensive TDs. He anchored a defense that made a ran to the Class 1A quarterfinals.
Background: How tiny ROWVA/Williamsfield could grow into a big football power
Ben Mullens, Peoria Notre Dame
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior was an all-Big 12 Conference honorable mention pick as a linebacker in 2023. Mullens posted a team-high 92 tackles including 48 solo and eight for loss. He also lined up in the backfield, rushing for 745 yards with 11 touchdowns and averaged 8.1 yards per carry.
Brady Mullens, Peoria Notre Dame
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound junior picked up all-Big 12 honorable mention honors as a defensive lineman last season. He had 25 tackles including one for a loss as the Irish defense pitched one shutout last season and allowed 13 points or less three times.
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound senior was an all-Mid-Illini second-team linebacker in 2023. Nickel, who is a three-start prospect, had 68 tackles with nine tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble. He committed to Western Illinois before the season.
Carter Prina, Washington
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior earned a spot on the 2023 all-Mid-Illini first-team defensive line. Prina recorded 32 tackles with three tackles for loss, five sacks, a fumble recovery, one forced fumble and two defensive TDs. He helped the Panthers give up 11.1 points a game last season.
Spencer Russell, Peoria High
The 6-foot, 175-pound senior was named all-Big 12 first-team as a defensive back. He had two interceptions, six pass breakups and a sack for the Lions, who lost in the Class 5A first round to eventual state runner-up Joliet Catholic. Russell is also a speedy wide receiver, catching four touchdowns during the regular season.
Mack Sutter, Dunlap
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior picked up all-Mid-Illini first-team honors as a linebacker last season. Sutter is a four-star prospect, coming in as the third-ranked tight end in the nation. He holds 33 scholarship offers including reigning national champion Michigan and SEC powers Georgia and Alabama . He recorded 20 tackles and five tackles for loss in 2023.
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Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 10 top defensive players to watch around Peoria this 2024 IHSA football season
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