There are nine senior finalists up for the 2025 TriState Football Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year. Seven finalists are linebackers.
This is the 19th year for this award, Kobe Clapper becomes just the 17th player to be named a TSF Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year finalist two seasons in a row. 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 16th, 2026 at the Holy Grail-Banks – RSVP 2025 TSF Year In Review Show
Here is a look at the 2025 TSF Cincinnati DPOY Finalists.
Kobe Clapper, St. Xavier, Sr, LB – Was named OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio (for a second straight season, as a DB in 2024), GCL South Co-Defensive Player of the Year (for a second straight season), First Team All-TSF (for a second straight season, as a DB in 2024) and TSF Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year Finalist (for a second straight season). One of the premier defensive players in the country, Clapper was a focal point of a Bombers defense that gave up just 13.5 points per game on the way to an 11-3 mark and state runner-up finish. He recorded 125 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11.0 tackles for losses, had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. Clapper, who has signed with Notre Dame, ended his career with 320 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 27.0 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four pass breakups and two interceptions.
Luke Czarnecki, Williamsburg, Sr, LB – Was named OPSMA Division V First Team All-Ohio (for a second straight season, as a DB in 2024), OPSMA Division V Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year and SBAAC National Defensive Player of the Year. Williamsburg finished the regular season 10-0 (10-1 overall) for the first time in school history. Czarnecki spearheaded the Wildcats defense that allowed just 7.2 points per game during the regular season. He was in on 91 tackles, had 9.5 tackles for losses, four pass breakups and three takeaways (2 FRs, 1 INT) including a pick-six. Czarnecki finished his career with 232 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 23.0 tackles for losses, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions including a pick-six.
Adam Kirtley, Taft, Sr, LB – Was named OPSMA Division IV First Team All-Ohio, OPSMA Division IV Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, CMAC Red Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-TSF. Kirtley blanketed opponents from sideline-to-sideline for a Senators defense that allowed a miniscule 5.5 points per game with eight shutouts. Taft went 11-1 and had the first undefeated regular season in school history. Kirtley was in on 116 tackles with 2.0 sacks, 26.0 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception during the regular season. He has signed with the University of Cincinnati.
Brady Kuhn, Anderson, Sr, LB – Was named OPSMA Division II Ohio Co-Defensive Player of the Year, OPSMA Division II First Team All-Ohio, OPSMA Division II Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, ECC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-TSF. Kuhn, an Air Force commit, was a tackling machine for the Raptors who went 14-1 and finished the regular season undefeated and state runner-up for a second straight year. He tallied 125 tackles, had 9.0 sacks, 28.5 tackles for losses, one fumble recovery for a touchdown and 16 passes defended for a Raptors defense that allowed just 15.6 points per game. Kuhn ended his career with 211 tackles, 15.0 sacks, 41.5 tackles for losses, one fumble recovery for a touchdown and 24 passes defended.
Aden Reeder, St. Xavier, Sr, LB – Was Named OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio and First Team All-TSF. Reeder had a knack of blowing up plays for the state runner-up Bombers. He registered 88 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 17.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and three pass break-ups. The University of Michigan signee ended his career with 162 tackles, 13.0 sacks, 31.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and six pass break-ups.
Max Rhodes, Oak Hills, Sr, LB – Was named OPSMA Honorable Mention All-Ohio, GMC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-TSF. A four-year starter who has been the heart-and-soul of the Highlanders defense since he stepped onto the field as a freshman. Rhodes was in on 115 tackles, had 4.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and two pass break-ups. The Southern Illinois signee ended his career with a school record 436 tackles (307 solo), 10.5 sacks, 38.0 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Jack Simpson, Mariemont, Sr, DE – Was named OPSMA Division V First Team All-Ohio (Honorable Mention in 2024) and CHL Defensive Player of the Year. Simpson dominated the opposition on both sides of the ball as Mariemont went 8-5 for its first winning season since 2021. He was in on 122 tackles, had 18.5 sacks, 35.0 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. On offense, Simpson reeled in 40 balls for 648 yards and nine touchdowns. He finished his career with 301 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 61.0 tackles for losses, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries including a scoop-and-score and five pass break-ups.
Derek Uran, Elder, Sr, LB – Was named OPSMA Division I Ohio Co-Defensive Player of the Year, OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio (Second Team in 2024), OPSMA Division I Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, GCL South Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-TSF (Third Team in 2024). The senior terrorized opposing backfields for a stellar Panthers defense that allowed just 15.1 points per game and helped the school to its fourth undefeated regular season and first 12-0 start in program history. Uran, a Virginia signee, recorded 104 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 23.0 tackles for losses, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He ended his career with 224 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 36.0 tackles for losses, seven pass breakups, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two interceptions including a pick-six.
Andrew Wells, Princeton, Sr, DB – Was named OPSMA Division I Second Team All-Ohio and Second Team All-TSF. Wells, a three-year starter, helped the Vikings to a third straight GMC title and a 9-3 record (30-7 overall, in his career). He tallied 111 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 5.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six passes defended and an interception. On offense, Wells had seven rushing touchdowns. He finished his career with 249 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 15.0 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 passes defended and seven interceptions including a pick-six. Wells has signed with Findlay.
Past TSF Cincinnati DPOY finalists (players of the year in bold)
2024
Kobe Clapper (St. Xavier), Luke Czarnecki (Williamsburg), Adam Kirtley (Taft), Brady Kuhn (Anderson), Aden Reeder (St. Xavier), Max Rhodes (Oak Hills), Jack Simpson (Mariemont), Derek Uran (Elder) and Andrew Wells (Princeton).
2023
Jacob Asbeck (Lakota West), Tayshawn Banks (Taft), Quaid Hauer (Wyoming), Justin Hill (Winton Woods), P.J. Nelson (Princeton), Terhyon Nichols (Withrow), Kyler Paul (Moeller), Jayonn Saunders (Purcell Marian) and Shep Snell (Cincinnati Country Day).
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) and 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) and 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) and 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) and 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) and Tegray Scales (Colerain).
2012
Michael Barwick Jr. (Summit Country Day), Daniel Cage (Winton Woods), Nick Isaacs (Withrow), Shane Jones (Moeller), Marcus Oliver (Hamilton) and Brady Vanover (Kings).
2011
Joe Bolden (Colerain), Jhalil Croley (Princeton), Nathan Gerbus (St. Xavier), Demond Jackson (Mount Healthy), Andre Jones (Colerain), Brady Vanover (Kings) and 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) and Adolphus Washington (Taft).
2009
Jibreel Black (Wyoming), Will Carroll (St. Xavier), Jerry Gates (Middletown), Joel Heath (Mount Healthy), Jordan Hicks (Lakota West) and Marcus Rush (Moeller).
2008
Denicos Allen (Hamilton), Drake Browne (CHCA), Nick Galvin (Moeller), Jordan Hicks (Lakota West), Pat Muldoon (St. Xavier) and Chris Williams (Winton Woods).
2007
Fred Craig (St. Xavier), Dwight Evans (Sycamore), Nate Lambert (CHCA), Brandon Mills (Colerain) and JK Schaffer (La Salle).
