Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2024: Defensive line

As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area Area News Group preseason recognition.

Today’s position:

DEFENSIVE LINE

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Jordan Alemania, Piedmont, 6-0, 238, senior

Had 14 tackles for a loss last season. First-team all-West Alameda County Conference Shoreline Division selection last season. 

Jonathan Blanchard, Leigh, 6-3, 225, senior

Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Valley-Division defensive player of the year in 2023 when he had 72 tackles and two sacks. Received all-Bay Area News Group honorable mention recognition.

Dakota Dickson, Monte Vista, 6-5, 288, junior

Led Monte Vista with seven sacks as a sophomore. The three-star prospect, per 247Sports, holds 12 college offers, including from Cal, Kansas State, Washington State and Oregon State. 

Aseli Fangupo, Sacred Heart Prep, 5-10, 280, senior

Shared Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division defensive lineman of the year honors last season and was second-team all-BANG. SHP coach Mark Grieb called him a “quick, powerful and explosive player.”

Devin Hyde, Menlo-Atherton, 6-5, 245, senior

The Washington commit led M-A with 94 tackles and 10 sacks last season. Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division linebacker of the year. Also plays rugby. 

Matthew Johnson, De La Salle, 6-5, 280, senior

An all-BANG second-team defensive lineman, Johnson had 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season. Four-star prospect, per 247Sports. Committed to play at Oregon. 

Lamarion Jones, El Cerrito, 6-4, 230, senior

Will lead an El Cerrito team that held opponents to 10 points per game last season. Has college offers from Fresno State and Louisville. 

David Lee Jr., Capuchino, 6-3, 217, sophomore

A transfer from Archbishop Riordan, Lee had 3.5 sacks and 19 tackles last season. He holds scholarship offers from Arizona and San Jose State. 

Deonte Littlejohn, Acalanes, 6-2, 200, junior

All-Diablo Athletic League second-team defensive selection led Acalanes in tackles for loss (18) and sacks (eight) as the Dons won a state championship in 2023. 

Salesi Manoa Lata, Archbishop Riordan, 6-2, 240, sophomore

One of Riordan’s anchors on the defensive line. Should be a huge presence in the trenches as the Crusaders aim for a WCAL title. Has offers from Utah and UNLV

Thomas Nguyen, Branham, 5-8, 170, senior

Earned all-BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division honors in 2023. Had 40 tackles – 15 tackles for loss – and six sacks last season. 

Zurik Peery, Live Oak, 6-1, 213, senior

All-BANG honorable mention defensive line selection posted 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division junior of the year.