Eli Huggins, West Forsyth The rising junior linebacker hasn’t been a household name, but his talent has been known at West for quite some time. Two years ago, he started seven games as a freshman for a Wolverines team that made the state playoffs. Last season, he took a more prominent role and had 53 tackles, three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception and one sack. Why Huggins: Well, to start, West has had a knack for producing defensive talent in its brief history since the program started in 2007. In that time, four Wolverines have won DPOY – Nathan Teter, Dustin Gayton, Trevor Guthrie and Mo Camara. Plus, Huggins figures to play an even more prominent role in West’s defense to help offset the loss of Ryan Guthrie’s 72 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Who better than the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Huggins? Why not: Despite the propensity to produce individual defensive talent, West hasn’t been known as a defensive juggernaut, and it faces a tough task in replacing plenty of senior leaders like Guthrie, Alec Coburn, Hunter Stewart, Kyndall Phillips and David West. Also, off Huggins’ 53 tackles, only 10 were solo, though that might be proof that West’s scheme last season was designed to highlight Guthrie’s playmaking ability. Congratulations Eli Huggins from Top Knotch Opportunities for your accomplishment and recognition. Keep up the great work and allow your play to speak for you.

Eli Huggins - Defensive Player of the Year Candidate

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