When it comes to high school football, New Jersey continues to produce outstanding players on both sides of the ball.

Whether it’s a lineman who does the dirty work in the trenches, a running back who always picks up that extra yard or a linebacker ready to deliver a nasty tackle, the Garden State delivers when it comes to high-octane guys with motors that never stop.

As part of our 2025 high school preview, the NJ.com football staff has gone back through last season’s award winners and pulled out the list of returning players who earned All-State honors a year ago.

Take a look below at the returning defensive players to make one of our All-State teams in 2024.

First Team

Brandon Simmons, Glassboro, Sr., DL

Ht.: 6-0; Wt.: 275

College choice: Eastern Michigan

The 2024 NJ.com Defen

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