FAIRLEA- This season, the Greenbrier East Spartans defense will look to create turnovers and make negative plays in the backfield. Also, while disguising certain coverages and assignments, the Spartans hope to provide a sense of confusion week in and week out for the team on the other sideline.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Baker’s unit has a lot of experience back which has allowed the staff to have confidence in their ability to make things happen this year.
Here is a look at the 2025 Greenbrier East defense
Starters:
Nose: Jackson Morgan– SR– first-year starter on defense
DT: Harrison Smith– JR– first-year starter on defense
DT: Gage Blevins– SR– three-year starter on defense
Other players to possibly see time on DL: Dravin Ambler (DT)SO, Pat Bostic (DT)JR, Avery Gilkeson-Froelic (DT)SO, Payton Ritter (Nose)SR
What coach Ray Lee says about the D-line:
“This is a good group for us right now. They are athletic and quick off the ball. We have been impressed with their ability to become versatile as well, with multiple guys playing multiple positions up front. We expect these guys to make the opposing offensive lines work! Harrison Smith is a guy who leads this group with his play and ability to get to the football. Our defensive line group has the potential to be able to really affect the overall game plan for our opponents.”
OLB: Brayden Brown– SR– three-year starter on defense
OLB: Grant Burdette– SR– two-year starter on defense
ILB: Zayir Lee– SR– two-year starter on defense
ILB: Keshawn Bland– JR– two-year starter on defense, Honorable Mention All-State in 2024
Key contributor at multiple LB positions: Logan Vanfosson– SR– two-year starter on defense
Other players to possibly see playing time at LB: Mason Carver (OLB)JR, Jameson Hunter (ILB)SO, Kaedin McNeely (OLB)SR
What coach Ray Lee says about the linebackers:
“Our group of linebackers are very productive on defense. Each one of these guys can find the football and finish the play when they get there. They are also a very smart group of football players. They have a lot of game experience among them, and it shows on the practice field. Brayden Brown is the vocal leader of this group and the most experienced. Zayir and Keshawn are extremely active for Inside Linebackers and their ability to finish plays with their physicality is great. Logan Vanfosson will definitely make us better in the second level on defense. Logan can and will play multiple positions. This whole group is physical and fast. They have been a pleasure to coach as a group, and their potential is endless.”
CB: Danny Butler, first-year starter on defense
CB: Nate Suttle, two-year starter on defense
SS: Kaden Stone, three-year starter on defense
FS: Jy Green, two-year starter on defense
Other players to see time playing at DB: Gavin Eads (SS/FS) SO
What coach Ray Lee says about the defensive backfield:
“Our secondary has developed into a good unit for us. These guys work every day at making their coverages better and are really attacking the football in the air right now. They have the ability to be physical as well because they are all fast at finding and getting to the football. Kaden Stone and Nate Suttle are leading this group with their ability to understand our defensive concepts and their leadership. Jy Green has made the switch to safety, and we are extremely impressed with his ability to track down the football. This group will be the key to our defensive success this year. We have some teams on our schedule who are pass heavy teams and these guys have the ability to change those games for us.”
Next: Newcomers that have impressed in fall camp.
