They say that defense wins championships.
If that’s the case, Michael Stewart could be taking North Hagerstown to some big places this fall. The senior defensive back brings size, strength and high football IQ to the gridiron and is hungry to earn a spot on a college roster.
While Stewart looks to leave his final mark on the high school game, his rivals at South Hagerstown have ideas of their own with a defense that returns several All-Stars, including Nygil Jeffries, an outside linebacker and strong safety who recorded 20 tackles for a loss last season.
Stewart and Jeffries are among our top players — we’ve counted 15 in all — to watch on defense this fall.
This is the final installment of our “Sneak Peek” summer series, designed to showcase some of the area’s most talented high school athletes. In the weeks to come, we will begin sharing full team previews.
Below is a look at our Top 15 football players to watch on defense in 2026:
Michael Stewart, senior, North Hagerstown
Like an outfielder in baseball shagging fly balls, Stewart not only has a knack for knowing where the football is going, but he also has the speed to get there.
A 6-foot, 175-pound defensive back, Stewart regularly frustrated opposing QBs and wide receivers with his coverage. Last year he totaled 58 tackles, including three for a loss, to go along with one interception, nine passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked field goal.
A sure-handed tackler, Stewart rarely lets a defensive opportunity slip away, and the Washington County Athletic Association took notice. He was named to the WCAA’s First Team on defense and Second Team as a punt returner on special teams.
Stewart’s full range of talents were put on display in a win over Central Woodstock in Week 4, when he returned a punt 55 yards for a TD and later sealed the victory with an interception at the goal line.
Luke Scott, senior, Smithsburg
The competition may not want to celebrate too much when they get Scott, Smithsburg’s starting quarterback, off the field on offense.
That’s because the 5-foot-11, 165-pound Scott — who doubles as an outside linebacker — is just as dangerous on the other side of the ball. A Washington County Athletic Association First Team selection on defense, Scott is coming off a strong junior season that saw him rack up 83 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss, to go along with seven passes defended and three interceptions.
The versatile Scott also handles punting duties for the Leopards and was a WCAA Honorable Mention selection on special teams.
Seth Gilliam, senior, Chambersburg
It’s awfully hard to get anything past Gilliam, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive end.
Gilliam excels at keeping his eyes on the prize — in this case the ballcarrier — and staying in front of his man. When it’s time to make the tackle, Gilliam sheds his blocker and, with chopping feet, he keeps his body low and powers his opponent into the turf.
Gilliam, who does most of his work out of the four-point stance, was an All-Commonwealth Third Team selection last fall.
Ronnie Savage III, senior, North Hagerstown
Look for Savage, a 6-foot, 165-pound free safety, to bring the boom this fall.
A Washington County Athletic Association Third Team selection, Savage possesses good vision of the field and has the toughness to fight through blocks and make difficult stops on runners who are coming with a full head of steam. With excellent timing, Savage is fully capable of separating the ball from the ballcarrier.
Last season he totaled 38 tackles, an interception and three fumble recoveries.
Wyatt Hull, senior, Greencastle-Antrim
Hull possesses the aggressive mindset, and the physical tools, to have a breakout season in 2026.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound outside linebacker is a scary blitzer with quick feet who enjoys initiating contact and making big hits. Hull can impact the game at the line of scrimmage, where he uses his long arms to toss blockers to the side, and is also reliable for dropping into pass coverage.
Last fall Hull totaled 37 tackles, including six tackles for a loss and three sacks, to go along with two QB hurries and four passes defended.
Nygil Jeffries, senior, South Hagerstown
Opponents may want to consider double- or triple-teaming the relentless Jeffries, a defensive terror who was named to the Washington County Athletic Association’s Second Team Defense.
Jeffries, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound outside linebacker and strong safety, has an excellent nose for the football and his strength and aggression allow him to easily dispose of blockers. Last fall he exploded for 90 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss and two sacks, to go along with two forced fumbles and five pass deflections.
Jeremiah Murray, sophomore, Waynesboro
Opposing QBs may want to think twice before sending the ball to Murray’s side of the field.
The defensive back earned varsity time as a freshman last season and showed flashes of what may be to come. He racked up 20 tackles and recorded two interceptions, both of which came in a 49-14 victory over Northern.
Marquis Weakfall, senior, Smithsburg
No matter what athletic and academic arena you put Weakfall in, he’s going to excel.
A standout three-sport athlete with a 4.0 GPA, Weakfall just may shine the brightest when he’s playing defensive back for Smithsburg’s football squad.
Last season Weakfall recorded 45 tackles on his way to being named to the Washington County Athletic Association First Team Defense.
Riley Carr, junior, Smithsburg
Carr, a standout lacrosse player for the Leopards, is also pretty vicious on the football field.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound linebacker made an impact as a sophomore last year when he notched 67 tackles and two pass breakups to earn a selection to the Washington County Athletic Association’s Second Team Defense.
Ryan Bentley, sophomore, South Hagerstown
It’s hard to find film or even measurements online for Bentley, but the defensive end must have done something right during his freshman season, because the Washington County Athletic Association named him to its Third Team Defense last fall.
Avery Cosley, senior, South Hagerstown
It’s going to be hard for opponents to escape the imposing wingspan of Cosley, a 6-foot-3, 176-pound outside linebacker.
One of the top scorers for South Hagerstown’s basketball team, Cosley proved himself on the football field last fall when he was named to the Washington County Athletic Association’s Third Team Defense as a defensive lineman.
Elijah Ambrose, senior, Greencastle-Antrim
Greencastle’s top returning tackler will be looking to go out with a bang in his final season of high school football.
Ambrose, a 6-foot, 200-pound inside linebacker, has a knack for knowing where the play will go and will fearlessly throw himself into the fray to bring down a ballcarrier.
Last season Ambrose totaled 63 tackles, including two for a loss.
John Dahler, junior, South Hagerstown
With Dahler patrolling the middle of the field, the competition will have to fight for every yard.
A 5-foot-11, 175-pound linebacker, Dahler frequently hits double-digit tackle totals for the Rebels defense. He knows how to time a blitz, enjoys making big hits, and is fast enough to support the secondary and break up passes.
Last fall Dahler was named to the Washington County Athletic Association’s Third Team Defense.
Devon Nalewak, senior, Chambersburg
Staying competitive in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division requires being able to win the battle of field position. The 6-foot, 170-pound Nalewak gives the Trojans a chance to do just that.
Aside from his regular duties as a running back and linebacker, Nalewak also serves as Chambersburg’s starting punter, a position that saw him earn All-Commonwealth Second Team honors.
Rian Stull, junior, Waynesboro
Stull received no All-Star recognition last season, but the inside linebacker could be on the verge of a big year after putting up solid numbers in 2025.
He registered 72 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks, to go along with two QB hurries.
