Advertisement

Here are 10 defensive players to know in Peoria-area high school football for 2023

adam duvall, journal star
·4 min read

Defense will win championships.

In just a few weeks, the lights will be on and high school football will return to the Peoria area. This is the final of a five-part series highlighting running backs, lineman, quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive players to watch during the 2023 season.

Here are 10 defensive players to watch, with players listed alphabetically.

Tyce Albritton, Deer Creek-Mackinaw

Dee-Mack's Tyce Albritton (4) tries to outrun a line of Chicago North Lawndale defenders in the first half of their Class 2A football first-round playoff game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Mackinaw. The Chiefs advanced with a 40-14 victory.
Dee-Mack's Tyce Albritton (4) tries to outrun a line of Chicago North Lawndale defenders in the first half of their Class 2A football first-round playoff game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Mackinaw. The Chiefs advanced with a 40-14 victory.

Albritton will be a strong presence in the secondary for the Chiefs in 2023. The 6-foot, 160-pound senior averaged 8.3 tackles a game, posting 66 total tackles with three for a loss. Albritton, an all-Heart of Illinois Conference first-team defensive back, had four interceptions and forced two fumbles.

IHSA football: 5 Peoria-area Week 1 games that caught our attention for 2023

Garrett Cox, Washington

Cox will be a big-time player on a consistently stout defense. He posted eight sacks, seven tackles for a loss and 27 total tackles. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior defensive lineman helped allow 14 total points in the final five regular-season games. Cox was a Journal Star all-area honorable mention and an all-Mid-Illini first-team selection.

Darrin Dussett, Richwoods

Dussett will be one of the fastest players in the Peoria area during the 2023 season. He was the 100-meter and 200-meter dash sectional winner. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound senior defensive back recorded 26 tackles — 22 solo and two for loss — for the Knights, who travel to Bloomington in Week 1.

Jase Harlan, Washington

Washington's Jase Harlan, left, chases down Metamora's Kameron Davis in the second half Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 at Babcock Field in Washington.
Washington's Jase Harlan, left, chases down Metamora's Kameron Davis in the second half Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 at Babcock Field in Washington.

Harlan comes back as a Journal Star all-area selection, posting 62 tackles with 11 for loss and recovered two fumbles for the Panthers. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior linebacker was a big reason the Panthers defense held their five final regular-season opponents to just 14 total points including three shutouts.

Patrick Jordan III, Peoria High

Peoria's Patrick Jordan III gets ahold of Richwoods quarterback Greg Burnside's jersey in the first half Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 at Richwoods Stadium in Peoria. The Knights fell to the Lions 66-12.
Peoria's Patrick Jordan III gets ahold of Richwoods quarterback Greg Burnside's jersey in the first half Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 at Richwoods Stadium in Peoria. The Knights fell to the Lions 66-12.

With the graduation of Landon Newby-Holesome and Tejuan Smith, the senior could be in for a huge season. Jordan III, a 5-foot-11, 234-pound defensive lineman, was fifth on the 2022 squad with 60 total tackles and two for a loss in 13 games. He's one of three returning starters from last season's Class 5A runner-up.

IHSA football: Peoria has a new team. Quest joins the growing 8-player game

Ben Mullens, Peoria Notre Dame

Mullens will once again be an impact player for the Irish at linebacker. The 6-foot, 205-pound returning starter accounted for 28 total tackles including 19 solo tackles, which was fifth for PND. His ability to attack the ball and drop into coverage will be especially important for Irish, who open their season against Manual.

Cameron Nickel, Metamora

Metamora's Cameron Nickel (16) and Adam Sloan (66) celebrate a Jacksonville turnover in the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of their Class 5A first-round playoff game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Metamora. The Redbirds advanced with a 68-34 victory.
Metamora's Cameron Nickel (16) and Adam Sloan (66) celebrate a Jacksonville turnover in the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of their Class 5A first-round playoff game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Metamora. The Redbirds advanced with a 68-34 victory.

As a returning starter, Nickel has to step in for the Redbirds, who graduated four all-Mid-Illini defensive players from the 2022 team. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior outside linebacker had 22 total tackles to go with 1.5 tackles for a loss. Nickel and Metamora get a tough test in Week 1 with Sterling coming to Malone Field.

Connor Pilgrim, Limestone

Pilgrim is back and will once again be a versatile presence on defense for the Rockets, who visit Mt. Zion in Week 1. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior linebacker recorded 64 tackles, eight for a loss and recovered two fumbles. He was an all-Mid-Illini Conference first-team defensive member.

Gary Rutherford, Peoria High

Peoria's Gary Rutherford (9) and Tejuan Smith try to pump up the crowd in the first half Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. Peoria High defeated Champaign Central 60-6.
Peoria's Gary Rutherford (9) and Tejuan Smith try to pump up the crowd in the first half Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. Peoria High defeated Champaign Central 60-6.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior was become a bona fida Division-I prospect, picking up a scholarship offer from Indiana. The Journal Star all-area and Big 12 all-conference pick led the Class 5A runner-up with 118 tackles. Rutherford added four interceptions and a defensive TD. Don't be surprised if Rutherford gets plenty of reps at wide receiver.

9 weeks, 9 games: Peoria's top high school football matchup each week in 2023

Bo Windish, Elmwood/Brimfield

Windish was part of a strong 2022 Trojans defense that allowed 14 points or less in four games. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound junior recorded 79 total tackles including 13 tackles for loss with one forced fumble. He was an all-Prairieland Conference second-team outside linebacker last season.

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: IHSA football: 10 Peoria-area high school defenders to watch in 2023