Treasure Coast defenses laid plenty of punishing blows to foes across the state this fall!

TCPalm's Football Defense All-Area team continues a celebration of the best high school student-athletes from Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie counties.

Check back each day for our latest postseason superlative winners. Find a full schedule for the 2023 Fall All-Area awards at the bottom of this story.

Here's a look at the top defensive players from the fall high school football season:

Defensive Player of the Year

TJ Alford, Jr., LB, Vero Beach

Alford was a menace on the Indians defensive unit, amassing a team-high 87 tackles while finishing with the second-most tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (4.0). He racked up double-digit tackles on four occasions this season, including a season-high 17 in Vero's loss against Seminole. Alford will be one of the Treasure Coast's top prospects over the offseason: He holds a four-star rating on 247Sports, ranks among the national top 50 in the Class of 2025 and holds 25 offers, including Georgia, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State and many more Power Five suitors.

First Team

Micah Coleman, So., LB, John Carroll Catholic

The Rams found a bright spot in a tough season with Coleman's emergence on defense. He was the team's leading tackler with 87 total tackles, including 9.0 for loss, and also led John Carroll in sacks (4.0). Coleman often found ways to get his hand on the football with four forced fumbles.

Jahari Grant, Sr., DT, Treasure Coast

Grant showed once again that his collegiate potential translates to varsity production during his senior campaign. The 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle made 35 tackles, including 11.5 for loss, and chipped in 5.0 sacks. He dominated against Martin County with 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in a winning effort. Grant is a three-star prospect per 247 Sports with 15 collegiate offers. He committed to the University of South Florida in May.

Xavion "TuTu" Griffin, Sr., DB, Vero Beach

Griffin is one of the Treasure Coast's best overall athletes and his versatile exploits showcased why he's a Division I prospect. Griffin grabbed three interceptions, broke up six passes, forced a fumble, blocked two kicks and finished third on the Indians' defense with 46 total tackles, including 8.5 for loss. He also had 10 offensive touches and put in shifts at kick and punt returner. Griffin is a three-star prospect per 247Sports and holds eight offers. He's been a hard commit to Western Kentucky since July 31.

Ricardo Guthrie, Sr., DE/LB, Westwood

Westwood's supreme sack master, Guthrie posted a team-high 16.5 sacks with 82 total tackles, including 17.5 for loss, to help the Panthers reach the FHSAA region quarterfinals. Guthrie's success as a pass rusher coincided with Panther victories: Westwood was 7-1 in games in which Guthrie recorded a sack. He had three-sack performances in wins over Port St. Lucie, Inlet Grove and Fort Pierce Central.

Zachery Josue, Sr., DL, Treasure Coast

Josue was a high-impact player in the Titans' defensive trenches, tying for the team lead with 12.0 tackles for loss. He also chipped in six sacks, a blocked extra point and grabbed a pick-six touchdown against Osceola in the first round of the state playoffs. The Titans' defense held opponents to just 11.1 points per game in nine victories this fall.

Omari Kinsler, Sr., DE/OLB, Treasure Coast

Kinsler spent a lot of time chasing down opposing quarterbacks and finished with a team-best 10.5 sacks this season. He also batted down three passes, forced three fumbles and fell on another against Martin County. The Titans' defensive line was a key group in the team's district championship and region final appearance this fall.

Nikko Lopez, Sr., MLB, Treasure Coast

Lopez stacked up the tackles this fall from the middle linebacker position, leading the Titans with 79 total tackles and 12.0 for loss. He was particularly influential against Vero Beach, blocking a field goal and grabbing in the district championship game and second-round state playoff game. Lopez also shined in the win over Seminole with 15 total tackles and a fumble recovery.

Carlos McCormack, Sr., LB/DE/SS, Jensen Beach

McCormack simply had a huge season for the Falcons' defense: He piled up 13 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss en route to 94 total tackles on the season. He also had a knack for getting to the football, breaking up five passes and falling on a fumble.

Jaylyn Monds, Sr., DB/WR, Westwood

The latest athletic star from the talented Monds family, Jaylyn finished the 2023 season as Westwood's leading pass catcher with 414 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He also shined on the Panthers' defense as he picked off two passes and deflected 12 from the secondary. Monds will leave Westwood better than it was when he arrived as the Panthers improved from a winless 2021 to a 7-4 record and region quarterfinal appearance this fall. Monds is unrated per 247Sports but holds 11 offers and is committed to play Division I football at Eastern Michigan.

Julius Puryear, Sr., LB/DE, Jensen Beach

Puryear shined in his final varsity campaign with a team-high 103 total tackles and 11 sacks. He was also a turnover merchant, forcing two fumbles, intercepting three passes and blocking a punt in Jensen's 9-2 finish. The Falcons opened the year with four straight shutouts, finishing with six, and surrendered just over six points per game overall.

Amar Reynolds, Sr., ATH, Vero Beach

Reynolds transferred to Vero from Westwood in the offseason and proved his Power Five potential in several key games this season. He had a stellar performance in Vero's matchup against Seminole with two interceptions, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In Vero's regular-season finale win over Lake City Columbia, Reynolds grabbed his third interception and returned it 80 yards. Reynolds is a three-star prospect per 247Sports with seven offers. He committed to Illinois on June 23.

Joe Shimko III, Sr., DE, Martin County

The Bowling Green Falcons are set to gain the sack leader from Martin County this season. Shimko III transferred to the Tigers from Centennial in the offseason and posted career-high totals in sacks (8.0) and tackles (48). He boasts an imposing frame at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds even before beginning work in a Division I weight training program.

Shamir Sterlin, Sr., DB, Treasure Coast

Sterlin was a big-game player in the Titans' secondary during his final varsity season. He turned in career highs in tackles (73) and got his hands on the ball for interceptions in impressive victories over Vero Beach, Osceola and Seminole. Though he's unrated by 247 Sports, Sterlin touts nine collegiate offers and committed in August to play Division I football at Northern Illinois.

Jonathan Tumblin, Sr., LB, Sebastian River

Sebastian's tackling machine did a little bit of everything while playing inside linebacker and running back in the Sharks' 6-4 finish. He led his team with 113 total tackles, including 29.0 tackles for loss, while forcing four fumbles and recovering three. Tumblin had five games with more than 10 tackles, including a particularly dominant night in Sebastian's win over South Fork in which he made 19 tackles, 6.0 for loss, and recovered a fumble. Offensively, Tumblin had 229 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

Christopher Wheat, Sr., DT, Sebastian River

Wheat dominated the trenches with a team-best 11.0 sacks as well as 53 total tackles and 23.0 for loss in his final varsity campaign. He posted multiple sacks in four contests and managed at least a tackle for loss in all 10 games. Sebastian River's defense allowed less than a touchdown per game in six victories this season.

John Williams III, Sr., MLB, Westwood

Williams was the man in the middle for Westwood's defense, piling up a team-high 106 tackles with 13.0 for loss. He enjoyed six games with 10 tackles or more, including a career-high 22 total tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss against Moore Haven. He also had one rush for 16 yards and a touchdown at running back. Williams will leave Westwood better than when he arrived as the Panthers improved from a winless 2021 to go 7-4 this year.

Second Team

Zach Chapman, Sr., FS, Martin County

Chapman was the top tackler on a solid Tigers defense this fall with 64 tackles, including 3.0 for loss, and an interception. Martin County's defense stood tall in five victories, allowing just 12 points per game.

Devyn Ingle, Sr., LB, Fort Pierce Central

Ingle led his team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (11.0) as well as 48 total tackles in a difficult season for Central overall. He enjoyed one of his best games with three tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries in Central's victory over Centennial.

Matthew Bacon, Sr., DL, Vero Beach

Bacon was adept at chasing down opposing signal callers and led the Indians with 6.0 sacks. He also had 21 total tackles, including 8.0 for loss, on the Vero defensive line. The Indians posted a 9-3 record and reached the second round of the FHSAA state playoffs.

Brendan Sposato, Sr., LB, Sebastian River

A veteran on the Sebastian River defense, Sposato ended his varsity career by amassing 103 total tackles and 27.0 tackles for loss in the Sharks' 6-4 finish. Sebastian River's defense allowed less than a touchdown per game in six victories this season.

Affeon Rivers, Jr., LB, Vero Beach

Rivers piled up the tackles from the linebacker position with 64 total and 9.0 for loss. He also chipped in 6.0 sacks and an interception to leave a versatile impact on an Indians defense that allowed just 12.3 points per game in a 9-3 finish.

Chris Pierre, Sr., DL, Westwood

Pierre was a key cog in the Westwood offensive and defensive lines this season. On the interior of the defense, Pierre had 65 total tackles, including 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He recently received an offer from Chowan and holds an offer from Charlotte, per On3 Sports.

Reece Smith, Sr., DE, Martin County

Smith finished his varsity career with his best season: 39 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He had five games with multiple tackles for loss, including in Martin County's games against Treasure Coast, Vero Beach and Jensen Beach, the best sides on the Treasure Coast this fall.

Cameron Gooden, Jr., DL/OL, Westwood

Gooden was a top performer on the Panthers' defensive line with 10 tackles for loss as well as 52 total tackles and 2.0 sacks. Westwood allowed just nine points per game in seven victories this season.

Javian Gardner, Jr., LB/SS, Westwood

Gardner showed no fear in stepping up in the box to make tackles against opposing ball carriers and quarterbacks. He had 75 total tackles as well as 5.0 sacks and 17.0 tackles for loss. The Panthers finished 7-4 and reached the FHSAA state playoffs.

Kevin Pollock, Sr., LB, Vero Beach

Pollock has signed to play for the Army Black Knights. He was reliable on the Indians' defense with 43 total tackles, including a career-high 7.0 for loss, and a sack this season as Vero Beach posted a 9-3 record and second-round state playoff finish.

Easton Scott, Jr., LB/SS, Jensen Beach

Scott had an impact on the Jensen Beach defense in both the secondary and run. He was unafraid to lower a shoulder and piled up 85 tackles throughout the season in addition to 6.5 sacks. Scott also broke up four passes and returned an interception for a touchdown this season.

Omarion Hall, Sr., DB/WR, Jensen Beach

Hall is not the biggest defensive back on the Treasure Coast but his play this fall certainly made him one of the best. He broke up 21 passes and didn't allow a touchdown in coverage. Hall also chipped in 43 total tackles out of the secondary and played a little wide receiver as needed.

Anthwone Montgomery, Sr., DL, Vero Beach

Good luck trying to run the ball up the middle against Montgomery and the Indians' defensive line this season. He finished with 11.5 tackles for loss en route to 43 total as a defensive lineman. Montgomery also posted 3.0 sacks and recovered a fumble in Vero's first matchup with rival Treasure Coast.

Elijah Anderson, Sr., DB, Vero Beach

Opponents were unwise to target receivers covered by Anderson this fall. He hauled in a team-high five interceptions and returned them explosively for 124 return yards. He also knocked down a pair of passes, blocked a field goal, forced two fumbles and recovered another, the latter in Vero's second-round playoff game against Treasure Coast.

Richard Kramer, Sr., DL, Treasure Coast

The Titans' fearsome defensive line included Kramer's versatile efforts on the interior and at end. He managed 8.5 sacks this season and brought down runners in the backfield for 11.0 tackles for loss. Treasure Coast was the area's top side with a 9-3 finish, district championship and run to the region finals of the FHSAA state playoffs.

Cordell Wilkins, Sr., DB, Jensen Beach

It was inadvisable to throw at receivers in Wilkins' vicinity this fall. He snagged a team-high four interceptions in his final varsity campaign much to the chagrin of local quarterbacks. Jensen Beach was once again one of the best local teams with a 9-2 record and FHSAA state playoff appearance.

Honorable Mention

• Jonas Barros, Sr., MLB/DE, South Fork — 74 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles

• D'Angelo Bonilla, Jr., S, John Carroll — 59 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss

• Conrad Burch, Sr., LB, Martin County — 59 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks

• Jamarion Davis, Sr., DL, Fort Pierce Central — 34 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks

• Gervon Desire, Sr., SS, Port St. Lucie — Team-high 47 total tackles, 2 interceptions

• RJ Jones, Jr., DB, Vero Beach — 2 interceptions

• Patrick MacMullan, Jr., DL, St. Edward's — Team-high 6.0 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss, 49 total tackles

• Daniel Oliver, Jr., DL Sebastian River — 30 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss

• Chandler Perceval, Sr., DB, Fort Pierce Central — Team-high 9 pass deflections, 1 interception, 25 total tackles, 1 forced and recovered fumble

• Anthony Saget, Jr., DB, Treasure Coast — 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections

• Andre Santiago, Sr., S, Okeechobee — 33 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles

• Jacob Smith, So., DB, John Carroll Catholic — Led team with 2 interceptions; 39 total tackles

• Dominic St. John, So., LB, Sebastian River — 42 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 1 interception

• Tristin Taylor, Sr., DB, Martin County — 2 interceptions

Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.

2023 Fall All-Area Schedule

• Dec. 12 – Boys Golf

• Dec. 13 – Girls Golf

• Dec. 14 – Girls Volleyball

• Dec. 15 – Boys Bowling

• Dec. 17 – Girls Bowling

• Dec. 18 – Boys Swimming

• Dec. 19 – Girls Swimming

• Dec. 20 – Boys Cross-Country

• Dec. 21 – Girls Cross-Country

• Dec. 22 – Football Offense

• Dec. 24 – Football Defense

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Meet TCPalm's 2023 Football Defense All-Area Team