Meet the All-Colorado football defense

The Rocky

Published December 17, 2008 at 9:24 p.m.

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LINEMEN

Cees Doxsey, Erie

* Pos.: DL * Ht.: 6-2 * Wt.: 265

* Extra points: Doxsey was a second-team all-state pick last season in Class 2A but had the talent to impress coaches from all classifications. He came through with 85 solo tackles and 45 assists to lead the Tigers, who finished as the state runners-up. Doxsey also played fullback at times, scoring three touchdowns. He excels in wrestling, having placed third at state last season at 285 pounds, and he was a state qualifier in the shot put and discus in track and field.

* Favorite NFL player: Warren Sapp.

* Colleges considered: Undecided.

Kendall Gregory-McGhee, Cherokee Trail

* Pos.: DL * Ht.: 6-5 * Wt.: 225

* Extra points: Gregory-McGhee has been an all-league selection the past two seasons - at tight end and punter in 2007, then at defensive end and punter this season for the Cougars. He also has been selected to participate in the U.S. Army National Combine in January. Gregory- McGhee accounted for 71 solo tackles and an interception this season. He also excels in track and field and was a state qualifier in the high jump and triple jump and in the Colorado Decathlon.

* Favorite NFL player: Daniel Graham.

* College: Minnesota.

Nick Kasa, Legacy

* Pos.: DL * Ht.: 6-7 * Wt.: 250

* Extra points: Kasa earned his second appearance on the All-Colorado team, this time as the defensive player of the year. Kasa, a dominating player on both sides of the ball, was a four-year starter for the Lightning, as well as a three-year all-league selection. Making use of his 4.65-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Kasa finished his high school career with 35 sacks and 50 tackles for losses.

* Favorite NFL player: Jason Taylor.

* College: Florida.

Nduka Onyeali, Mullen

* Pos.: DL * Ht.: 6-2 * Wt.: 225

* Extra points: Onyeali, only a junior, could be causing trouble for opponents for another year. He had a state-best 19 sacks to increase his career total to 28. Using an explosive first step, Onyeali had three games in which he had three sacks in helping the Mustangs to the Class 5A state championship. Onyeali, a two-time all-Centennial League selection, was credited with 105 tackles to increase his career total to 180.

* Favorite NFL players: Brett Favre, Reggie White.

* Colleges considered: Undecided.

LINEBACKERS

Clarence Bumpas, Sierra

* Pos.: LB * Ht.: 6-2 * Wt.: 205

* Extra points: Bumpas was a versatile performer, playing linebacker and defensive end for the Stallions. He had 11 sacks, improving his career total to 35. He also was credited with 62 solo tackles. Bumpas added three fumble recoveries and one interception in earning all-state honors for a second year. He also is an all-league player in basketball.

* Favorite NFL player: Shawne Merriman.

* College: Kansas State.

Josiah Flack, D'Evelyn

* Pos.: LB * Ht.: 6-0 * Wt.: 205

* Extra points: While not built like the prototypical linebacker, Flack is one of the state's best at the position, regardless of classification. He is a three-year starter and a three-time, first-team all-league selection for the Jaguars, and he has one more season to go. His combined solo and assisted tackles this season was a solid 155. Flack also had three fumble recoveries (10 in his career) and three interceptions (seven in career). He was the Jaguars' defensive most valuable player as well as the Class 3A defensive player of the year.

* Favorite NFL player: None mentioned.

* Colleges considered: Colorado, Colorado State, Vanderbilt, Washington.

Gavin Miller, Greeley West

* Pos.: LB * Ht.: 6-2 * Wt.: 225

* Extra points: Miller, another three-year, all-league selection, certainly was a standout this season for the Class 4A state runners-up Spartans. He won his team's "Bone Crusher" award and for good reason. He finished his career with a combined total of 445 tackles and was in on an impressive 217 tackles this year. He also played at tight end and was considered a strong blocker in the team's running attack.

* Favorite NFL player: Terrell Davis.

* Colleges considered: Air Force, Colorado State, Northern Colorado, Wyoming.

Daijon Tyler, Pomona

* Pos.: LB * Ht.: 6-0 * Wt.: 207

* Extra points: Tyler captured defensive- player-of-the-year honors in the Big 8 League as a junior while helping the Panthers to the league title, a 10-2 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals. A punishing hitter with plus speed, Tyler was credited with 108 tackles to earn all-league honors for the second consecutive season. He also should be one of Pomona's top sprinters in track in the spring.

* Favorite NFL player: Reggie Bush.

* Colleges considered: Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Tyree Davis, Grandview

* Pos.: DB * Ht.: 5-11 * Wt.: 169

* Extra points: Davis earns all-state honors for a second season and was a key player in the Wolves' 5A state championship campaign last season. He had 43 solo tackles at cornerback (117 for his career) and had eight interceptions this season (13 in career) to help the Wolves to an 11-1 record in 2008 and a 23-3 mark during the past two seasons. He also plays basketball and baseball.

* Favorite NFL player: Champ Bailey.

* College considered: Arizona State.

Luke Ruff, Douglas County

* Pos.: DB * Ht.: 5-11 * Wt.: 190

* Extra points: Ruff has played just as his name sounds while earning all-league and All-Colorado honors. Last season, Ruff helped the Huskies to a 5A state runner-up finish. This season, he combined for 116 tackles (five for losses) blocked three kicks and recovered four fumbles on defense . When Ruff switched over to the offensive side for Douglas County, he rushed 45 times for 514 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also earned all-league honors in lacrosse as a midfielder.

* Favorite NFL player: John Lynch.

* College: Wyoming.

T.J. Shantz, Cherry Creek

* Pos.: DB * Ht.: 6-0 * Wt.: 190

* Extra points: Shantz was one of the state's top all-purpose players this season, seeing a load of action on both sides of the football and on special teams. He is a three-year all-Centennial League selection and a two-time all-state defender for the 5A state runner-up this season. This year, Shantz accounted for 138 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and he also rushed for 378 yards, grabbed 28 passes for 504 yards and passed for an additional 225 yards.

* Favorite NFL players: John Lynch, Brett Favre.

* College: Florida International (baseball).

Matt Tucker, Grandview

* Pos.: DB * Ht.: 6-4 * Wt.: 193

* Extra points: Tucker, a two-year all-Centennial League pick, is another athlete who excelled on both sides of the ball. He made 96 tackles, had four interceptions and recovered two fumbles in the secondary for the 11-1 Wolves. He finished his career with 238 tackles and nine interceptions. At quarterback, he rushed for 671 yards and scored nine touchdowns, and he passed for 648 yards and eight touchdowns with only three interceptions.

* Favorite NFL players: Bob Sanders, Brian Dawkins.

* College: Arizona State.

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