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.

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.

To be clear, the Large School Defensive Player of the Year is presented by the WFCA. However, below is my take on the top 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.

Deangelo Clay, Monona Grove - As just a sophomore last season, Clay was one of the biggest game-wreckers in the state, recording 111 tackles from his defensive line spot to go with 28 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He earned Badger-Large Defensive Player of the Year honors and WFCA Honorable Mention All-State.

Michael Farr, Racine Case - Farr is one of the top two-way skill players in the state, earning First Team All-Conference recognition as both a wide receiver and defensive back last season. He had more than 800 receiving yards on offense as a First Team All-State pick, and is a D1 prospect on that side of the ball. He’s also a standout on defense, playing safety for the Eagles where he is one of the heaviest hitters from the secondary in the state. He gave a commitment to South Dakota State this summer.

Brendan Foley, Arrowhead - Foley will be a three-year starter for the Warhawks, coming off a junior campaign that saw him post some of the most gaudy defensive numbers in the state. In 12 games, he recorded 131 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. That resulted in Classic Eight Defensive Player of the Year recognition as well as a spot on the WFCA All-State list. An outstanding student, Foley received offers from several high quality academic institutions, ultimately giving a commitment to play football at Army.

Brock Gauthier, Bay Port - Gauthier is one of the most versatile linebackers in the state of Wisconsin, moving all over the formation for defending D1 state champion Bay Port. He is very good playing the run in the box, but also adept at getting out into coverage and coming forward to rush the quarterback.

Tyler Heinle, Grafton - Heinle burst onto the scene as just a sophomore when he posted a 92-tackle season, and followed it up with another outstanding junior campaign that saw him earn Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Woodland Conference (for a second straight year) as well as WFCA Honorable Mention All-State. In 12 games last year, he recorded 73 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, five fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.

Elias Janssen, Kimberly - Janssen plays as a defensive end in the Papermaker’s defensive front, with his hand on the ground. Speaking of hands, he’s excellent at using his to control the offensive player and rip or shuck to get to the ball. He’s very quick out of his stance, able to knife inside to wreak havoc or get around the edge. A Second Team All-Conference choice last year, he had 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks.

Connor Kreger, Mukwonago - Kreger will be a three-year varsity player for Mukwonago, coming off a First Team All-Conference season at outside linebacker that saw him record 59 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. He lined up in multiple spots, including off the ball, on the edge, and even out in the slot. He works upfield really well, attacking the line of scrimmage to fill a hole and make the play.

Nathan Makinen, Muskego - Makinen will be a three-year starter for Muskego, earning First Team All-Conference recognition on the defensive line last season. He recorded an impressive 79 tackles, with five tackles for loss and four sacks for the Warriors. He generally lines up as a nose guard or in a shade, and does an excellent job shucking the center to create movement in the middle.

Jack Murray, Brookfield East - Brookfield East missed out on the playoffs last year, but Murray was one of the best players in the league, earning First Team All-Conference as a linebacker, Honorable Mention as a tight end, and Second Team laurels as a punter. Defense was his best, where he recorded 83 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble from his middle linebacker spot. He’s big, physical, and athletic, which combines with a competitive streak and excellent football IQ to make him one of the best in the state. Murray gave a commitment to Northern Illinois in April.

Neeko Rodgers Jr., 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. Last year he recorded 72 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and three sacks as the team advanced to the Division 3 state title game.

McCoy Smith, Waunakee - Smith lived in the opposing backfield last season, recording 27 tackles for loss and 11 sacks for the Warriors. He’s extremely explosive out of his stance, and uses his hands well to shed or rip past potential blockers. He was the Badger-Large Defensive Lineman of the Year and a WFCA All-Region choice. Smith is powerful and explosive, with a 4.6-second time in the 40 and a max bench of 365 pounds. He was offered by Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on fullback, and has several Division 2 offers as well.

Dominick Walters, Franklin - Walters has started for Franklin since his sophomore year, leading the team in tackles last season with 98 while earning Honorable Mention All-State recognition from the WFCA. He plays center field for the Sabers, giving him the ability to see the play in front of him, diagnose quickly, and get into the right spot each time. He’s not afraid to come up for run support and make a tackle, and has plenty of speed and athletic ability to cover lots of ground as a high safety. Walters gave a commitment to South Dakota State in June.

Ben Wenzel, Appleton North - Wenzel is the latest outstanding linebacker to come out of Appleton North, and may wind up as one of the best. A First Team All-Conference choice last year, he recorded 83 tackles on the season, with two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. A tackling machine that always finds himself around the football, he racked up more than a dozen Division 1 offers before giving a commitment to stay home and play for the Wisconsin Badgers in early June.

Jack Wilson, Mount Horeb/Barneveld - Wilson got his feet wet a bit on varsity as a freshman, played a bigger role as a sophomore, and really broke out in his junior campaign, recording 102 tackles with 18 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks to earn First Team All-Conference recognition. Wilson does a nice job blitzing, either in the A-gap or off the edge, but also displays the ability to fight off blockers and make plays in the box as well as the athletic ability to find the ball in space. Wilson gave a commitment to D1-FCS powerhouse North Dakota State in the off-season.