Here's your chance to help select the ESPN.com Defensive Player of the Year for the 2000 high school football season. Review the credentials of each candidate below and cast your vote.

	Ahmad Carroll

Ahmad Carroll, DB
6-0, 193, 4.35, Atlanta-Douglass, Ga.
Lemming's take: As a junior he was an All-City RB and DB and totaled 91 tackles and six interceptions in '99. The top DB prospect in Georgia. Missed five games due to a broken leg, but still put together one heck of a season and scored two TDs in his first game back. A tremendous cornerback with great cover skills. As a senior he played in only six games due to injuries and picked off two passes, totaled 48 tackles and returned one of the picks for a score. He also played RB for two games, rushing for 120 yards and seven TDs and also catching 13 passes for over 200 yards. Considered by most coaches in the South to be the top CB prospect in the region. He won the state title in the 100 meters with a time of 10.41 (he has the best 100-meter time in Georgia history) and also finished second in the state meet in the 200 meters with a time of 21.34. Nicknamed "Batman," he has committed to Arkansas.

	Shaun Cody

Shaun Cody, DL
6-5, 240, 4.65, Hacienda Heights-Los Altos, Calif.
Lemming's take: I knew Cody was something special when I saw film of his junior season, in which he had 33 QB sacks. This season he wound up with 22 sacks and 105 tackles in 14 games despite being double- and triple-teamed the entire season. On offense he played FB, rushing for 327 yards and 10 scores on 45 carries and catching 50 passes for 830 yards. I saw Cody in his second playoff game back in late November and was impressed with his effort, quickness, strength and body control. The opposition had to account for him on every play. He is a relentless pursuer with great strength. Bench-presses 375. A high school version of Kevin Greene. A difference-maker type of defensive player who can change the course of a game in one play. He will play for USC.

	Michael Craven

Michael Craven, LB
6-2, 220, 4.5 , Westminster-La Quinta, Calif.
Lemming's take: The top LB in the West. This season Craven recorded well over 100 tackles, 15 QB sacks and four picks, returning two of them for scores. He is a physical backer who is quick to fill the hole and even quicker when in pursuit of a scrambling QB. Plays the game with a lot of heart and is rarely caught off his feet. A can't-miss prospect with a perfect 4.0 GPA and 1260 SAT. In track he's been timed in an 11 flat 100 meters. He has committed to Stanford.

	Anttaj Hawthorne

Anttaj Hawthorne, DL
6-4, 308, 5.0, Hamden, Conn.
Lemming's take: The top prospect in New England, he was double- and triple-teamed the entire season, but he still managed 102 solo tackles, 12 knockdowns, 17 QB sacks, seven forced fumbles and more than 20 tackles for losses. He's just a terrific athlete who runs extremely well laterally. A three-time All-Stater at DT with explosive moves to the ball. He committed this summer to Wisconsin and is holding firm on that commitment.

	Marquise Hill

Marquise Hill, DL
6-7, 290, 4.9 , New Orleans-De La Salle, La.
Lemming's take: Already looks like he belongs in the NFL. Played DE this year and recorded 92 tackles, eight QB sacks, four knockdowns, and five forced fumbles and was constantly double-teamed. He possesses long arms, super quick feet and great body control and was a standout in every game he played this season. Committed to LSU.

	Marlin Jackson

Marlin Jackson, DB
6-1, 185, 4.4, Sharon, Pa.
Lemming's take: Jackson is the strongest hitter of any DB I've seen this year, including Jerome Carter. He shows exceptional cover skills and great range. This season he recorded 84 tackles, picked off five passes and broke up 11 others. He's everything you are looking for in a CB and is also one of the nation's premier kickoff returners. Bench-presses 300. His commitment to Michigan is firm.

	Pat Massey

Pat Massey, DL
6-8, 240, 4.68, Cleveland-St. Ignatius, Ohio
Lemming's take: The top prospect in the state of Ohio didn't disappoint anybody this season. He totaled 20 QB sacks (four in one game) and close to 30 QB hurries and was a constant menace to the opposition's QB. Massey is one of the most athletic big guys I've seen on film. He reacts extremely well to the ball and shows great instincts. A superior athlete who's also a standout in basketball. A five-star DE with the frame to weigh 290 in college. Firmly committed to Michigan.

	Kevin Simon

Kevin Simon, LB
5-11, 220, 4.43, Concord-De La Salle, Calif.
Lemming's take: When I was watching Simon as a junior I couldn't tell the difference between him and D.J. Williams (which is obviously a compliment to Simon). He is unbelievably quick to the ball, physical, tough and instinctive. This season he recorded 122 tackles, 31 tackles for losses, six sacks, four caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries. On offense he rushed for over 1,250 yards and 16 TDs, averaging nine yards per carry. Simon actually had a better senior year than Williams did in '99. Although 5-foot-11, he is nationally recruited and I believe he will make an impact as a true freshman. He has committed to Tennessee.

	Matt Ware

Matt Ware, DB
6-3, 195, 4.38, Los Angeles-Loyola, Calif.
Lemming's take: A terrific QB on offense who passed for over 1,000 yards and eight TDs while also rushing for 1,100 yards and 19 TDs. Ware certainly has the ability to become a big-time QB; however, most schools feel that he may be the nation's premier FS prospect. Totaled 50 tackles and three picks playing only half the year at DB, but did total 19 tackles against Mater Dei. I personally believe that Ware is the top FS prospect in the nation and has ideal size, speed and range. Explosive to the ball and shows outstanding reactions. He recorded 97 tackles and batted down 12 passes as a junior. Very tough and smooth, he's been timed in a 10.7 100 and a 22 flat 200 meters in track and has long jumped 23 feet 10 inches. A firm commitment to UCLA.

	Leon Williams

Leon Williams, LB
6-3, 230, 4.63, Brooklyn-Canarsie, N.Y.
Lemming's take: The No. 1 player in the state of New York, he totaled 132 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 12 QB sacks this past season. For his career he totaled 329 tackles and 31 sacks. Has played DE, OLB and ILB over the past two years and can play any one of those three positions in college. A dominating prep defender. He has committed to Miami (Fla.).

Tom Lemming is editor of Prep Football Report. For information on how to subscribe to Prep Football Report's three yearly magazines and five newsletters, fax your request to 847-842-1313 or write to P.O. Box 59113, Schaumburg, Ill. 60159. Attention new subscribers: You'll receive Lemming's Class of 2001 wrap-up issue FREE if you subscribe for the upcoming season. For year-round recruiting updates, call Tom Lemming's Prep Football Hotline at 900-860-9888. Calls are $1.79 per minute, and callers must be 18 years old or have parents' permission.