The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) presents both an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year award in the state of Wisconsin each season for Large School and Small School.

There are 14 weeks in the 11-player football season when regular and postseason are included, meaning we're halfway through with seven games complete.

This week, we'll be looking at the top contenders for WFCA Large and Small School Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

It takes the right combination of name recognition, statistical success, and team success to win the award, which is available to players from any grade but has traditionally gone to a senior. Generally, the player must be from a very successful team that is either unbeaten or a favorite to compete for a state title.

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Large School Offensive Player of the Year Favorites

To be clear, the Large School Defensive Player of the Year is presented by the WFCA. However, below is my take on the top ten candidates right now (in alphabetical order), though there is a long ways to go before the selection is made after Level 4 of the postseason, and more candidates could certainly emerge.

Blake Buhr, LB, Sheboygan North - Buhr is a long, athletic linebacker who has put up impressive defensive numbers again this season. The North Dakota commit has 59 tackles this year, including 16 tackles for loss, and is among the state’s leaders with nine sacks.

Deangelo Clay, DL, Monona Grove - The only junior on the list, Clay earned Badger-Large Defensive Player of the Year honors and WFCA Honorable Mention All-State as a sophomore last season. He’s in line for that and more with a strong 2025 that includes a team-high 48 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Brendan Foley, LB, Arrowhead - Foley is be a three-year starter for the Warhawks, coming off a junior campaign that saw him earn Classic Eight Defensive Player of the Year honors as well as WFCA All-State. Similar accolades could be in store this year, as he currently has 69 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and a fumble recovery touchdown for the Warhawks, who are among the state’s top teams.

Brock Gauthier, LB, Bay Port - Gauthier has stepped forward in a big way for the defending Division 1 state champions, leading the Pirates in tackles to this point in the season with 42 stops. He also has nine tackles for loss and three sacks plus a forced fumble.

Tyler Heinle, LB, Grafton - Heinle already has a pair of Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the Woodland Conference, and is a strong contender for that honor as a senior with 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), and an interception.

Nathan Makinen, DL, Muskego - Makinen is a three-year starter for Muskego, patrolling one of the state’s top defensive fronts over the last few years. He leads the Warriors with 51 tackles so far this season, with 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Neeko Rodgers Jr., DL, Catholic Memorial - Rodgers is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the state, with explosion and get-off that is rare for a player his size. His foot quickness is outstanding for the Crusaders, allowing him to get quick penetration. That leads to a lot of time in the backfield and a lot of negative plays, as he has 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks as part of 52 total tackles, most on the team. He’s also forced and recovered two fumbles.

McCoy Smith, DL, Waunakee - Smith has played the equivalent of just four games due to Waunakee’s dominating 2025 campaign, but still have 70 total tackles this year with 27 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He’s extremely active and does an incredible job using his hands to keep blockers away from him.

Dominick Walters, DB, Franklin - Walters is a difference-maker in the defensive secondary for the Sabers, roaming from sideline to sideline and all levels of the defense to make plays. The senior South Dakota commit has 31 tackles this year from his safety spot, and also has three interceptions, including a pair of Pick-6’s. Walters is heavily involved in the return game as well with a kick and punt return touchdown.

Ben Wenzel, LB, Appleton North - Wenzel is the latest outstanding linebacker to come out of Appleton North, and may wind up as one of the best. A Wisconsin Badgers commit and returning First Team All-Conference selection, he already has 75 tackles this season, including 3.5 for loss to go with a sack for the Lightning, who have one of the best defenses in the division.