The high school football season is nearly here, with games kicking off Aug. 20 and Dispatch live coverage beginning Aug. 21.
As part of our season previews, we wrote about the top 10 defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs in central Ohio entering the season.
Dispatch.com readers now have the chance to pick the preseason defensive player of the year from the candidates below. Voting is open until 4 p.m. Aug. 21. Please do not email your votes; they will not count.
Here are the candidates with their 2025 statistics:
Michael Boyle, Watterson: The senior lineman had 102 tackles, including 43 for loss, 37 solo stops and 12½ sacks.
Micah Fisher, Hilliard Bradley: The junior defensive back had 105 tackles, including five for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Brennan Kesler, Olentangy Orange: The senior middle linebacker had 125 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Lawrence Kanneh, Whitehall: The senior lineman had 60 tackles (59 solo), 23 stops for loss, 12½ sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Kaleb Kitzmiller, DeSales: The senior inside linebacker had 109 tackles, including 63 solo and 17 for loss, two interceptions and one sack.
DJ Laster, Marion-Franklin: The sophomore linebacker had 105 tackles, 56 solo tackles, 10 sacks and one forced fumble.
Geo McKnight, Pickerington North: The junior defensive back had 40 tackles, six interceptions, nine pass breakups, four forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns.
Reinaldo Perez, Columbus Academy: The senior lineman had 87½ tackles (51 solo), 15½ tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Kane Stover, Highland: The senior middle linebacker had 134 tackles, including 14 for loss, and three sacks.
Ben Uhlenhake, Watterson: The senior linebacker had 96 tackles, including 14 for loss and 27 solo, three pass breakups and one sack.