Football: 2025 Preseason All-New Jersey defensive team

The following players have been selected to the USA TODAY NETWORK preseason All-New Jersey football defensive team.

The Network is made up of news organizations APP.com, BurlingtonCountyTimes.com, CourierPostOnline.com, TheDailyJournal.com, DailyRecord.com, MyCentralJersey.com, NJHerald.com and NorthJersey.com.

Looking for the All-New Jersey offensive team? CLICK HERE

Jermaine Kinsler

Bergen Catholic senior defensive lineman

Kinsler is the latest in a long line of Crusaders’ linemen that includes his older brother, Elijah. The 6-foot-7, 260-pounder is ranked as New Jersey’s No. 3 senior recruit by 247Sports and is committed to Texas A&M. He only played a handful of games last season for the four-time defending Non-Public A state champions and he snuck in a short-yardage TD catch.

Logan Nagle

DePaul senior defensive lineman

Nagle will be an integral piece for the Spartans as they seek back-to-back Non-Public B state titles and their third crown in four years. The 6-5, 270-pounder is ranked as New Jersey’s No. 7 senior recruit by 247Sports and is committed to Pittsburgh. He had 27 solo tackles, 35 assists, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks for the Spartans (11-1) last year.

Damari Simeon

St. Augustine senior defensive lineman

A 6-foot-3, 300-pound tackle, Simeon is a four-year starter at tackle for the Hermits and an Ohio State commit. Big, athletic and fast, Simeon is the focal point for opposing offensive coordinators and draws plenty of double-teams.

Brandon Simmons

Glassboro senior defensive lineman

A pure nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, the 6-foot, 275-pounder has posted 40 sacks in three seasons, including a whopping 20 last fall. His quickness has also slowed down offenses and resulted in 254 total tackles, including 77 for loss in his scholastic career. He's headed to Eastern Michigan.

Jack Baker

Toms River North junior linebacker

Baker could be the next great linebacker to come out of Toms River North. He had 106 tackles, 22 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks last season.

Steve Klein

Westwood senior linebacker

Klein is among North Jersey’s best two-way players and last season earned first-team All-North Jersey honors as a linebacker. The 6-2, 205-pounder had 83 tackles and two interceptions last season, and rushed for 1,124 yards and 13 TDs on offense. He's committed to Boston College.

Donovan Linthicum

Oakcrest senior linebacker

One of the most productive tackling machines in the Garden State, Linthicum has recorded consecutive seasons with 122 tackles, including 50 for loss. He's also sacked the quarterback 7.5 times over the last two falls. He'll attend Villanova next year.

Matt Occhipinti

Don Bosco senior linebacker

Occhipinti was chosen an All-North Jersey first-team selection last season after helping lead the Ironmen (8-4) to a late-season, six-game winning streak and trip to the Non-Public A state final. The 6-3, 225-pounder had 75 tackles, seven for losses, and five sacks. He's committed to Central Florida.

Trey Tallmadge

Brick Memorial senior linebacker

Tallmadge, a four-year varsity player, was named an All-New Jersey honorable mention last season after amassing 87 tackles, eight sacks and an interception in nine games played.

Ian McDuffie

Passaic Tech junior defensive back

McDuffie has been a two-way sparkplug for a program that has combined for a 33-7 record over the past three seasons. The 5-8, 155-pounder earned All-North Jersey first-team honors last season in the secondary and was the lone sophomore to be name first-team All-Passaic County. He’ll line up all over the field and also see some time at quarterback.

NaKeem Powell

Winslow senior defensive back

A three-year starter as a linebacker/safety, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder picked off four passes last season, returning one for a touchdown. He made 51 tackles for the Group 4 state champion Eagles. A versatile back on offense, Powell rushed for 478 yards and caught 32 passes for 470 yards, scoring 14 combined touchdowns. He's committed to Delaware.

Xavier Sabb

Glassboro junior defensive back

Regarded as one of the best juniors in the country, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound speedster recorded seven interceptions for the Group 1 state champion Bulldogs last year. Pure electricity with the football, Sabb has found the end zone 27 times during his first two seasons, including 18 receiving.

Jordan Thomas

Bergen Catholic senior defensive back

Thomas earned All-New Jersey second-team honors last season after helping hold six opponents to 10 points or fewer en route to a fourth consecutive Non-Public A state title. The 6-1, 185-pounder had 28 solo tackles, 24 assists, nine pass breakups and an interception. He is ranked New Jersey’s No. 2 senior recruit by 247Sports and is committed to Ohio State.

Jake Blum

Mainland senior athlete

One of the top two-way players in South Jersey, the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is a three-year starter in the Mustangs' secondary and owns four career interceptions with one pick-six. He became Mainland's first 1,000-yard receiver last season, finishing with 1,287 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Group 3 state finalists.

Jasiah Brown

Morristown senior athlete

Brown has done it all for the Colonials on both sides of the ball. On defense, he made 46 tackles and three interceptions last season. On offense, he amassed more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns for Morris County's lone Group 5 team. He has offers from Villanova, Lafayette and Monmouth.

Cole Garrison

Toms River North junior athlete

Oppposing defenses will have to find where Garrison is going to line up on each play. He's an excellent defensive back, and on offense, he could line up at receiver, running back or "Wildcat'' quarterback. He rushed for 407 yards and seven TDs on 49 carries last year, adding 19 receptions for 231 yards and two scores.

Nyqir Helton

Winslow senior athlete

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound athlete blends speed and power in his game. On defense, he had four interceptions, including a pick-six. On offense, he caught 47 passes for 852 yards – both team-bests for the Group 4 state champions. He's committed to Boston College.

Looking for the All-New Jersey offensive team? CLICK HERE

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: 2025 Preseason All-New Jersey defensive team