Football: 2024 Preseason All-New Jersey defensive team

The following players have been selected to the USA TODAY NETWORK preseason All-New Jersey football defensive team.

The Network is made up of news organizations APP.com , BurlingtonCountyTimes.com , CourierPostOnline.com , TheDailyJournal.com , DailyRecord.com , MyCentralJersey.com , NJHerald.com and NorthJersey.com .

Darian Blachewicz

Millville senior defensive lineman

The elder statesman on the Thunderbolts' line, the 6-foot-2, 280-pounder is a three-year starter at end. He recorded eight sacks last fall. With 10 Division I offers, Blachewicz is a four-year starter on the offensive line.

Blaise Boland

Toms River North senior defensive lineman

Boland, one of the key returning starters for the two-time defending Group 5 state champions, amassed 100 tackles, 29 for a loss, and 10 sacks last season.

Jonathan Harris

Delsea senior defensive lineman

A standout on the defensive line for the defending Group 3 state champion Crusaders, the 6-foot, 225-pounder racked up 12 sacks, including two in the state title game. He made 22 tackles for loss last season.

Darren Ikinnagbon

Hillside senior defensive lineman

The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder is a fixture near the top of New Jersey recruiting lists, and for good reason. The Georgia commit was a force last season with 52 tackles, 13 for a loss, along with five sacks. 247Sports ranks him as the top senior in the state.

Jayden Loftin

Somerville senior defensive lineman

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder flies to the ball and came up with 33 tackles last year, with eight for a loss, along with 5.5 sacks to boost the Pioneers. The defensive end has committed to Tennessee.

Brandon Simmons

Glassboro junior defensive lineman

The 6-foot-1, 270-pounder creates major headaches for opposing offensive linemen. His breakout season last fall included 96 tackles, with 35 for a loss, and 13 sacks. Simmons' work helped Glassboro reach the Group 1 state championship game.

Matt Bonczek

St. Augustine senior linebacker

A three-year starter at inside linebacker, the 6-foot, 220-pounder has been a tackling machine for the Hermits. The Marist commit notched 87 tackles with two sacks, 11 tackles for loss and nine quarterback pressures for one of South Jersey's stingiest defenses last fall.

Tyler Houser

Pope John senior linebacker

Houser registered 121 tackles (77 solo), 2.5 sacks, and returned both an interception and a fumble for touchdowns last season. Houser is a Wake Forest commit and was ranked as the No. 18 recruit in New Jersey in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports.

Daniel Russo

Delsea senior linebacker

A punishing two-way star for the defending Group 3 state champion Crusaders, Russo led the team with 95.5 tackles, with 14 for loss, last season. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder also rushed for 1,669 yards and 26 touchdowns. He's committed to Penn.

Trey Tallmadge

Brick Memorial junior linebacker

Tallmadge amassed 116 tackles, 20 for a loss, and forced five fumbles last season for a team that went 10-1 and advanced to the Central Group 4 sectional semifinals.

Jahmir Joseph

St. Joseph senior defensive back

Joseph is a multi-sport standout, and the 6-foot, 185-pounder is committed to Penn State. Last season, he registered 30 solo tackles, 13 assists, eight pass breakups, three interceptions and four forced fumbles, and was named to the All-New Jersey second team. He is ranked as the top senior DB in the state by 247Sports.

KJ McClain

St. Joseph junior defensive back

McClain is among several high-profile players who transferred to state powers in Bergen County. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder played last season at Seton Hall Prep, where he amassed 26 solo tackles and 49 assists. He is ranked the state’s No. 6 junior by 247Sports and has more than a dozen college offers.

Braswell Thomas

Pleasantville senior defensive back

The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder brings speed and strength to the safety position. Poised for his first season with the Greyhounds following a transfer from Lower Cape May, the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is a Penn State commit.

Jordan Thomas

Bergen Catholic junior defensive back

Thomas is a key part of arguably New Jersey’s premier secondary and is ranked the state’s top junior by 247Sports. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder had 30 solo tackles, 21 assists, five pass breakups and four interceptions last season for the three-time defending Non-Public A state champions.

Joel Cordoba

Plainfield senior athlete

Cordoba certainly fits the definition of an athlete. The versatile Kent State commit caught 66 passes for 1,234 yards and nine touchdowns last season, adding two more on the ground. In the secondary, the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder snagged four interceptions and scored three touchdowns.

Naiim Parrish

Bergen Catholic senior athlete

Parrish contributed last season in all three phases and earned All-New Jersey second team honors as a DB. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder had 28 solo tackles, 13 assists, and team-highs of 10 pass breakups and five interceptions. He is rated the state’s top-ranked “athlete” by 247Sports and is committed to Minnesota.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Football: 2024 Preseason All-New Jersey defensive team