JORDAN HARPER

-- School: Clovis

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Linebacker

-- What got him here: Three-year starter and All-TRAC selection played an integral role in the Cougars' turnaround -- 27-9 with two league crowns the past three years after going 5-26 the previous three seasons. He led this season's 9-2 team in tackles with a 9.1 per-game average and had two interceptions. "His lunch-pail approach to working hard every day allowed him to lead our team in tackles," coach Rich Hammond says.

TRAMELL JOHNSON

-- School: Central

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Linebacker

-- What got him here: One of the section's great success stories, he emerged from a spot player as a junior to a literal knockout defender and TRAC Defensive Player of the Year for an 11-3 team that reached the D-I championship. Among his 100 tackles, 12 were for losses, and he caused six fumbles. "A big character development; unbelievable development," Grizzlies coach Justin Garza says. "Watch film and it's evident he's the guy." Next: Maybe Eastern Washington.

ADRIAN SALAS

-- School: Clovis

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Linebacker

-- What got him here: TRAC Player of the Year and a Bee Player of the Year finalist, delivered a two-way role rivaled by few in the section. He rushed for 708 yards and 12 TDs, averaged 6.0 tackles, intercepted a pass and blocked a punt against five-star competition for a 9-2 team that captured its first outright league title in 16 years. "His timing for the big hit and the big run were remarkable," Cougars coach Rich Hammond says. "He made monumental contributions on both sides of the ball."

CODY SANDERS

-- School: Liberty-Madera Ranchos

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Linebacker

-- What got him here: NSL Defensive Player of the Year closed a three-year career at middle linebacker by averaging 9.0 tackles, intercepting two passes, blocking a field goal and scoring two touchdowns for a 12-1 record-breaking team that delivered the school's first section football title, in D-V. Next: Maybe walk on at Fresno State or Sacramento State.

JASON BLACK

-- School: Clovis

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Secondary

-- What got him here: Standard-bearing safety in the Central Section for three years, he was the most instrumental player in restoring the tradition of the eight-time section champion Cougars, who went 5-26 from 2007-09 to 27-9 from 2010-12. "Jason is the consummate student-athlete excelling in both arenas," coach Rich Hammond says. Next: Air Force Academy.

JUSTIN HOLMES

-- School: Edison

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Secondary

-- What got him here: No doubt the most under-publicized impact defender in the section, the All-CMAC selection made 58 tackles, including five for losses, intercepted seven passes, caused two fumbles and recovered one for a 9-4 team that tied for the league title. Next: Fresno State.

JOHNNY JOHNSON

-- School: Central

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Secondary

-- What got him here: All-TRAC selection slipped under the radar a bit in a junior-to-senior transfer from Memorial to Central, but joined the section -- if not state -- elite with eight interceptions, including two for touchdowns in the postseason for an 11-3 team that placed second in D-I. Next: UCLA.

ARNOLD LOPEZ

-- School: Clovis North

-- Grade: Senior

-- Position: Secondary

-- What got him here: Impact-free safety in the Broncos' run to D-II and D-I titles his junior and senior seasons for teams that went a combined 21-5. "Size gets him (5-9, 165, for college recruiters), but you can't miss with that kid's heart," Broncos coach Cory Hall says. "He emerged as one of the Valley's premier defenders in the secondary. He came up big in his career."