Outside the Huddle is welcoming a new contributor to the website – Mr. DC Hendrix.
You can read his work at Indiana Preps, as well as listen to him and past OTH contributor Brice Vance on the Sideline Sports Show on Sunday mornings.
For OTH, Hendrix will be delving into the world of college recruiting, bringing you interviews, updates and rankings from area prospects as they look to take their talents to the next level.
But first, to welcome Hendrix to the family, we decided to have some fun, a fantasy draft of the top players in northeast Indiana from the 2025 season.
The goal for both Hendrix and Blitz? To build the best roster they possibly can.
Last week, we released our offensive rosters, this week, it is time for the defenses.
Who constructed the better roster? Let us know!
TEAM BLITZ’S DEFENSE
BLITZ’S DEFENSE REASONING
DL CORNELIUS JACKSON, NORTHROP: At just 5-foot-8, it is easy to discount the effectiveness of Jackson along the defensive line. But he lit up offenses for 28.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for the Bruins in his senior year. He will feast in Blitz’s defense.
DL JARRON TAYLOR, BISHOP LUERS: One half of the Taylor brotherly duo. He led the Knights in tackles (97) and sacks (11) and was second in tackles for loss (22). Can line him up inside and out.
DL AYLE TAYLOR, BISHOP LUERS: If you take one of the Taylors, you gotta take em both. Familiarity with his brother will help Blitz’s defensive front hit the ground running. With 27 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to go with 65 tackles, Ayle is a grinder.
DL EVAN BRUBAKER, CARROLL: It’s tough to miss Brubaker because of his No. 1 jersey, but also because he is a 6-2, 245-pound creator of chaos on the edge and on the interior. He finished the 2025 campaign with 12 tackles for loss and six sacks, both team highs. Also of note, Blitz’s front line is an all-senior lineup.
LB AUSTIN PHILLIPS, EAST NOBLE: The only freshman on either Blitz or Hendrix’s rosters, Phillips doesn’t look or play like a ninth grader. Big, strong and with an eye for disruption on defense and offense, Phillips is a playmaker that can be relied upon despite his youth.
LB KC PIEPER, BISHOP DWENGER: Pieper’s highlight-reel moment in 2025 came when he blocked a South Bend St. Joseph field goal attempt in the semistate and returned it for a touchdown that gave the Saints a lead they would not relinquish. But Pieper, who was the signal caller on the defense, delivered for the team all year long. He led the defense with 18.5 tackles for loss to go with 136 tackles and three sacks. A perfect field general in the middle
LB GRIFFIN MORGAN, BLUFFTON: This starting lineup needs some ACAC flavor. While his collegiate future is the baseball diamond, Morgan was still a very impressive football player over his prep career. He led the Tigers in tackles in 2025 with 104 while also adding nine tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.
CB CALVIN DOBSON, NEW HAVEN: Dobson is a quiet dude who lets his play do the talking. It surely did plenty of talking in 2025 when he was voted All-NE8 First Team at cornerback. He can stay with anyone on Team Hendrix in coverage.
CB JT TIMBERLAKE-JOHNSON, SOUTH SIDE: Blitz took JTJ as a corner despite him being an exceptional safety. He can play both with his rangy 6-foot frame. He picked off four passes in 2025 to go with 89 tackles. He can also contribute on offense, if needed.
S HAWK HASSELMAN, ANGOLA: The most versatile player in northeast Indiana this past season. Hasselman can score in a variety of ways, but he is also an effective safety commanding the back end. He had 89 tackles and an interception this past season. He is also incredibly valuable on special teams.
S ALEX SCOTT, EAST NOBLE: Another player who uses his length and innate ability to diagnose plays to be in the right place at the right time on seemingly every play. He picked off five passes for the Knights from his safety spot to go with 32 tackles. And, of course, he can take the top off a defense as a wideout.
K/P LUCAS NGUYEN, BISHOP DWENGER: All he does is win games with big-time plays. Plug and play. Don’t need to worry about kicks or punts. One of the best in the state in his craft. How does he not have more college interest?
AT-LARGE CARMYNE MORENO, FREMONT: OK, he is mainly an offensive player, but I needed someone from the NECC and Moreno is a throwback player in the best way. The dude does work on every snap and his infectious attitude and confidence is going to galvanize Team Blitz in the huddle and in the locker room.
TEAM HENDRIX’S DEFENSE
HENDRIX’S DEFENSE REASONING
DE IFEANI EMEDOBI, NORTHROP: Blitz took both of the Taylor brothers from me, but once again, I come with a backup plan. Emedobi wrapped up his junior season with 6.5 sacks, 59 tackles, 21 for a loss. He’s only scratched the surface of his potential. Give me Emedobi on the edge!
DL DERRION TREESH, LEO: Adding some more size and strength to my d-line with Treesh. So far, all of my defensive line is 6-foot-3-plus and strong. I like my chances with the All-NE8 defensive lineman on my squad.
DL OMARION WAITES, NORTH SIDE: As I mentioned, once Blitz took Jarron and Ayle, I had my backup plans ready to go. My DT is Omarion Waites from North Side, who finished with 98 tackles, 14 TFL and four sacks this past season as a junior.
DE KIYON BEASLEY, SOUTH SIDE: Since I have all of the size I need on my D-line, let’s pick up some more speed on the edge to just rush the QB. Doesn’t get much better than Beasley from South Side, who finished with 11 sacks this past season.
LB BRET SAUDER, LEO: At MLB, let’s head back to the NE8 with Bret Sauder. He also received some much-deserved All-NE8 honors this season, and is a great leader to have in the middle of my defense.
LB AUSTIN KIRKPATRICK, DEKALB: Got a bit of an underrated pick here. Kirkpatrick put together a fantastic season at DeKalb that landed him First Team All-NE8 honors. At 6-4, he provided the Barons with 79 total tackles and four sacks. He adds versatility to my linebacker corps with size and speed on the
outside.
LB DETRICK SMITH JR., SOUTH SIDE: It’s a good thing I have some Archer pride, because I can’t believe Blitz allowed me to get Smith Jr. He finished top 10 in the entire state of Indiana in total tackles as a junior. No brainer here. Thanks, Blitz!
CB MAALIK MOORE, NORTH SIDE: I know a lot of people would’ve expected me to select him at WR, but as an athlete that plays both sides of the ball, he is more than likely a DB in college. I’ve seen him lock down some of the best receivers in the area, and he was my first pick for my defense to try and slow down Vanpelt on Team Blitz.
CB MCKALE WOODSON, BISHOP LUERS: On the other side of the field to match up against Jayvon Irby on defense, give me state-championship runner-up DB, McKale Woodson. I like my chances with Woodson to make some big plays in big moments like he did all season for the Knights.
S GAVIN SMITH, COLUMBIA CITY: Easily considered one of the best safeties in the area. It was a historic season for Smith as he broke the all-time interceptions record at Columbia City. He also finished with eight interceptions on the season, which was fourth in the state. Another no-brainer here.
S DEE HOGUE, NORTHROP: I was hoping Blitz wouldn’t take Hogue. When we came up with this idea, I had my two safeties in mind, and I got them both in Smith and Hogue. I’d like for him to lay some big hits for us if any of Blitz’s playmakers get past our front seven. He also had three INTs this season.
K NEFTY SILVA, WEST NOBLE: Shocking, Blitz took Lucas from Dwenger. Well, give me the two-sport star (soccer) Nefty Silva from West Noble. It’s always hard to track stats for kickers, but I like my chances with Silva, who is still one of the best in the area as a junior.
P TREY PRIVETT, NORWELL: I don’t believe I will need to punt very often, but if I do, give me Norwell’s Trey Privett. He’s got a strong leg and will help keep Blitz’s team out of our territory.
AT-LARGE HOUSTON ELLINGER, BISHOP DWENGER: It was tough not to draft Ellinger, and honestly, I was shocked Blitz didn’t. This kid is a gamer and can make plays on both sides of the ball. I’ve watched this kid play WR, RB, and S. I contemplated putting him as one of my LBs. As a leader on the state championship Dwenger team, there is no doubt I’m rocking with Ellinger as my defense at-large to come in and make a big play for me.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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