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2023 TSF Cincinnati DPOY Finalists

Taft DB Tayshawn Banks (photo from X: @TayshawnBanks)

There are nine finalists for the 2023 TriState Football Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year. Six finalists are seniors and three are juniors. This is the 12th consecutive year that Winton Woods has had a DPOY finalist nomination. Cincinnati Country Day has it’s first-ever finalist on this side of the ball.

This is the 17th year for this award, Tayshawn Banks becomes just the 14th player to be a named a TSF Cincinnati DPOY finalist two years in a row and first to join that fraternity since 2020. That elite group includes three former players that made it to the NFL – Jordan Hicks (Lakota West) in 2008-’09, Joel Heath (Mount Healthy) in 2009 -’10 and Adolphus Washington (Taft) in 2010-’11. Washington was the only one of the three to be named the TSF Cincinnati DPOY (in ’11).

The members of the All-TSF Teams, the TSF Teams of the Year, Players of the Year and finalists from Indiana, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati as well as the Mella Windows Players of the Week will be recognized at the TriState Football Year In Review Awards Show on Monday, February 19th, 2024 at the Holy Grail-Banks – RSVP 2023 TSF Year In Review Show

Here is a look at the 2023 TSF Cincinnati DPOY Finalists.

Jacob Asbeck, Lakota West, Sr, LB – Was named OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio and Third Team All-TSF. The best overall player on a Lakota West (11-3) defense that never allowed more than 11 points per game in a season (only 8.6/PPG in 2023) during his three years as a starter. The Firebirds also made it to the Division I, Region 4 finals in each of those campaigns. As a senior, Asbeck tallied 64 total tackles, had four sacks, 14.0 tackles for losses, five passes defended, a scoop-and-score and a pick-six. He was also a OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Ohio selection as a junior. Asbeck has signed with Navy.

Lakota West LB Jacob Asbeck (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Tayshawn Banks, Taft, Sr, DB – Was named the OPSWA Division IV Defensive Player of the Year, OPSWA First Team All-Ohio (for a second straight year), OPSWA DIV Southwest District Player of the Year, CMAC Red Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-TSF (2nd Team All-TSF in 2022) and TSF Defensive Player of the Year Finalist (for a second straight year). Banks was one of the most dominant forces on defense in the Cincinnati area in 2023. The senior helped pace Taft (9-3) to its ninth consecutive playoff appearance. Banks racked up 143 tackles (116 solo), had four-and-a-half sacks, nine tackles for losses, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and five interceptions. He also amassed 1,269 all-purpose yards, averaged 25.3 yards on 21 receptions, averaged 26.5 yards on six kickoff returns, averaged 22.8 yards on 20 punt returns with a team high nine touchdowns scored (five rec, two PR, one KR, one FR). The Senators star finishes his career with 13 interceptions and 11 touchdowns on returns (four IR, three KR, three PR, one FR). Still undecided Banks’ offers include Boston College, BGSU, Cincinnati, UConn, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Kent State, Kentucky, UMass, Miami (OH), Michigan, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue and West Virginia.

Quaid Hauer, Wyoming, Sr, LB – Was named OPSWA Division IV First Team All-Ohio (LB), CHL Defensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-TSF (ATH). A two-way standout and tabbed as the “true leader of our football team,” by head coach Aaron Hancock, Hauer led the CHL with 147 total tackles (80 solo), had two sacks, three tackles for losses and forced three fumbles. On offense, the senior threw for 2,007 yards, ran for 290 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns (16 pass, 10 rush). In his four years as a starter, the Cowboys went a combined 49-5 and set a state record with 75-consecutive regular season wins which Hauer started in the last 36 of. He was a stat sheet filler, racking up 4,659 passing yards, 442 rushing yards, 52 touchdowns (37 pass, 15 rush), 446 total tackles, 15.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four interceptions, in his career. Hauer was a Second Team All-Ohio (LB) selection as a junior. He has an offer from Georgetown College.

Wyoming LB Quaid Hauer (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Justin Hill, Winton Woods, Jr, LB – Was named OPSWA Division II First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division II Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year and the ECC Defensive Player of the Year. The junior linebacker helped Winton Woods (7-4) to another outstanding season and second round playoff appearance. Hill had an ECC best 13.0 sacks as well as 16.0 tackles for losses, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles for the Warriors. He had five games with at least two sacks during the regular season. His offers include Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Oregon, Tennessee, and Florida among a bevy of others.

Winton Woods LB Justin Hill (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

P.J. Nelson, Princeton, Jr, LB – Was named OPSWA Division I Ohio Defensive Player of the Year, OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division I Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, GMC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-TSF.  Nelson was a beast in the middle of a Princeton (12-1) defense that allowed just 11.0 points per game (they didn’t allow more than 19 points in a game) in route to an undefeated regular season and the Vikings first outright GMC title since 1993. He recorded 89 total tackles, had 12.0 sacks, 23.5 tackles for losses, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries. He found the end zone on a scoop-and-score and a pick-six. Nelson heads into his senior year with 151 total tackles, 18.0 sacks, 35.0 tackles for losses, 11 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception. His offers include Michigan, Michigan State, Boston College, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, UMass, Miami (OH), Pitt, Ohio, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Charlotte, Toledo and Akron.

Princeton LB P.J. Nelson (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

Terhyon Nichols, Withrow, Sr, DB – OPSWA Division II First Team All-Ohio for a second straight year, the CMAC Red Co-Athlete of the Year and First Team All-TSF (2nd Team All-TSF in 2022). Nichols is one the best lock down cornerbacks in Ohio. He was in on 66 total tackles, had four-and-a-half tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three interceptions as Withrow (12-2) set a school record for wins and made it to the regional finals or the first time in program history. The Tigers gave up just 8.6 points per game and held 13 of 14 foes to 14 points or less with five shutouts. On offense, Nichols got to show off his dynamic playmaking abilities with seven touchdowns (four rush, three rec) on 37 touches. He has signed with Kentucky.

Withrow DB Terhyon Nichols (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Kyler Paul, Moeller, Sr, LB – Was named OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio and the GCL South Linebacker of the Year. Led the GCL South with 117 total tackles (66 solo) and tackles for losses with 20.0. He also tied for the conference lead with four-and-a-half sacks, with three forced three fumbles, a fumble recovery and two interceptions. In Paul’s three years as a letterman the Crusaders won three regional championships and went a combined 34-11.

Moeller LB Kyler Paul (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Jayonn Saunders, Purcell Marian, Jr, DB – Was named OPSWA Division V First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division V Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, MVC Scarlet Defensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-TSF. The Purcell Marian (10-3) defensive back had nine interceptions (for a second straight season) and recorded 65 tackles (41 solo) with a pick-six helping the Cavaliers to their first league championship in the 21st century. On offense, he also had 19 receptions for 303 yards with a rushing and receiving touchdown. Saunders, who now holds the Purcell Marian all-time interception record with 19, was a Division V Second Team All-Ohio honoree as a sophomore.

Purcell Marian S Jayonn Saunders (photo by: LaTisha Mosley/purcellmarianathletics.org)

Shep Snell, Cincinnati Country Day, Sr, LB – Was named OPSWA First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division VI Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, MVC Gray Defensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-TSF. Snell spear-headed a Cincinnati Country Day (12-1) defense that allowed only total 20 points (all after the games were well in hand and on the running clock) and recorded seven shutouts during an undefeated regular season run. The Nighthawks fell to state runner-up Versailles in the regional semifinals round of the playoffs. As a senior, Snell tallied 144 tackles, had one sack, 11.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, seven takeaways (four FRs, three INTs) and two pick-sixes. On offense, he had nine receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. Snell, who was also a Third Team All-Ohio selection as a junior is being recruited by Dayton, Valparaiso and Davidson.

Cincinnati Country Day LB Shepard Snell (photo by Kyle Yackey)

Past TSF Cincinnati DPOY finalists
2022
Tayshawn Banks (Taft), Joe Ginnetti (Moeller), Malik Hartford (Lakota West), Breeon Ishmail (Princeton), Brandon Martin (Moeller), Jermaine Matthews, Jr. (Winton Woods), Michael Mulvihill (Blanchester), Elias Rudolph (Taft) and Jacob Smith (Milford).
2021
Alex Afari (Lakota West), Jyaire Brown (Lakota West), Brody Foley (Anderson), Jay’ron Gibson (Winton Woods), Norey Johnson (Deer Park), Grant Lyons (St. Xavier), Kylyn Macklin (Purcell Marian) and Radical Rothermel (Edgewood).
2020
Andrew “Bam” Booker (Winton Woods), Dontay Corleone (Colerain), Matt Devine (St. Xavier), Jaylen Johnson (La Salle), Jackson Kuwatch (Lakota West), Diego Neri (Northwest), Cam Sanders (Winton Woods) and Devonta Smith (La Salle).
2019
Andrew “Bam” Booker (Winton Woods), Robert Brazziel Jr. (Taft), Dontay Corleone (Colerain), Darrion Henry (Princeton), Daved Jones (Lakota West), Camden O’Gara (Wyoming), Deshawn Pace (Colerain) and Luke Thiemann (La Salle).
2018
Hasan Black (Wyoming), Spencer Bono (Elder), Anthony “Tank” Booker (Winton Woods), Jowon Briggs (Walnut Hills), Ryan Mullaney (Moeller), Ivan Pace, Jr. (Colerain), JJ Ross (Lakota West) and Jalen Thornton (Indian Hill).
2017 
Daniel Bolden (Colerain), Ja’von Hicks (Colerain), Thomas Kiessling (St. Xavier), Ryan Mullaney (Moeller), Cris Oats (Winton Woods), Luke Richardson (Clinton-Massie), Jarred Uran (La Salle) & Malik Vann (Fairfield).
2016 
Kyle Bolden (Colerain), Jerron Cage (Winton Woods), Jacob Cyrus (New Richmond), Lang Evans (Turpin), Keontae Jones (Colerain), Amir Riep (Colerain), Josiah Scott (Fairfield) & Tre’Sean Smith (La Salle).
2015
Kyle Bolden (Colerain), Jerron Cage (Winton Woods), Lang Evans (Turpin), Amir Riep (Colerain), Prince Sammons (CHCA), Hayden Specht (St. Xavier) & Jarell White (La Salle).
2014 
Demetrius Colbert (Colerain), Justin Hilliard (St. Xavier), David Long (Winton Woods), Prince Sammons (CHCA), CJ Stalker (Lakota West), Elijah Taylor (Moeller) & Jordan Thompson (LaSalle).
2013
Michael Barwick Jr. (Summit Country Day), Tinashe Bere (Sycamore), Jon Bezney (Mariemont), Mike Edwards (Winton Woods), Sam Hubbard (Moeller), Jordan Lackey (Mount Healthy), Charlie Lawler (Loveland) & Tegray Scales (Colerain).
2012 
Michael Barwick Jr. (Summit Country Day), Daniel Cage (Winton Woods), Nick Isaacs (Withrow), Shane Jones (Moeller), Marcus Oliver (Hamilton) & Brady Vanover (Kings).
2011 
Joe Bolden (Colerain), Jhalil Croley (Princeton), Nathan Gerbus (St. Xavier), Demond Jackson (Mount Healthy), Andre Jones (Colerain), Brady Vanover (Kings) & Adolphus Washington (Taft).
2010
Steven Daniels (St. Xavier), Sean Duggan (St. Xavier), Jarrett Grace (Colerain), Ryan Haynes (McNicholas), Joel Heath (Mount Healthy), Antonio Poole (Winton Woods) & Adolphus Washington (Taft).
2009
Jibreel Black (Wyoming), Will Carroll (St. Xavier), Jerry Gates (Middletown), Joel Heath (Mount Healthy), Jordan Hicks (Lakota West) & Marcus Rush (Moeller).
2008
Denicos Allen (Hamilton), Drake Browne (CHCA), Nick Galvin (Moeller), Jordan Hicks (Lakota West), Pat Muldoon (St. Xavier) & Chris Williams (Winton Woods).
2007  
Fred Craig (St. Xavier), Dwight Evans (Sycamore), Nate Lambert (CHCA), Brandon Mills (Colerain) & JK Schaffer (La Salle).

 

 

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