As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area News Group preseason recognition.
Today’s position:
DEFENSIVE LINE
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Keanu Carrasco, Oak Grove, 5-11, 300, senior
Three-year starter earned all-league honors last year. Slated to anchor Oak Grove’s defensive and offensive line this season.
Federico-Mario Cobarubio, Valley Christian, 6-3, 275, senior
Earned all-West Catholic Athletic League first-team honors after recording 49 tackles and six sacks. A three-star prospect, Cobarubio is committed to Sacramento State.
Dakota Dickson, Monte Vista, 6-4, 280, senior
All-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division selection had 12.5 tackles for loss, including four sacks, in 2024. A three-star recruit, Dickson is committed to play at SMU.
Lemani Fehoko, Serra, 6-1, 280, junior
Earned WCAL first-team honors. A three-star recruit, Fehoko holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Michigan State and New Mexico.
Cole Goldsworthy, Amador Valley, 6-5, 210, senior
A UNLV commit, Goldsworthy will anchor Amador Valley’s defense. Earned all-league first-team honors last season.
Deonte Littlejohn, Acalanes, 6-2, 220, senior
Had 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception en route to earning all-league first-team honors.
Salesi Manoa Lata, Archbishop Riordan, 6-2, 240, junior
Holds offers from San Diego State, UNLV and Utah. Totaled 16 tackles and a sack as a sophomore.
Sean McCoy, St. Francis, 6-1, 215, senior
Totaled 60 tackles – nine for loss – and three sacks in 2024. Holds an offer from Lewis and Clark University.
Julian Njelita, Heritage, 6-4, 245, senior
All-league first-team selection had 32 tackles and three sacks. A standout on the basketball team, Njelita is a three-star recruit committed to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.
Vernus Ragsdale, Vallejo, 6-6, 231, senior
Tri-County Athletic League defensive player of the year totaled 49 tackles and five sacks in 2024.
Palmer Riley, Menlo School, 6-5, 235, senior
A Princeton commit, Riley is moving from inside linebacker to defensive end. Missed the first five games last season with an injury, but is slated to anchor Menlo’s defense this season.
Koi Taiese, McClymonds, 6-3, 295, senior
San Diego State commit anchored a McClymonds’ defense that held opponents under 15 points per game. A three-star recruit, Taiese also fielded offers from San Jose State, Colorado State, New Mexico and Sacramento State.
Japheth Tofaeono, Pittsburg, 6-1, 215, senior
A three-year starter on Pittsburg’s vaunted defense, Tofaeono is expected to lead the Pirates’ defensive line. Had 50 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 2024.
Related Articles
High school football 2025 preview: Oakland Athletic League
Why The King’s Academy’s star receiver transferred to Riordan
California high school sports participation reaches all-time high
Bay Area high school football 2025: Top storylines as practices begin
Former South Bay star Allen set for Hall of Fame after years of lassoing NFL quarterbacks
Nemyah Telona, De La Salle, 6-2, 285, senior
All-league second-team selection had 31 tackles and four sacks last season. Telona is a three-star prospect. Committed to Cal over Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn and Miami.
Matthew Williams, Leigh, 5-10, 220, senior
Earned all all-league first-team honors after recording 72 tackles and four sacks in 2024.
Mickey Williams, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 6-5, 210, senior
A three-star recruit, Williams is committed to play at Arizona State. Fielded offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Boise State and Colorado State.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players.
