VYPE Hot 20 Defenders: No. 16 Earnest Norman, Trinity

Editor's Note: They are the players that don't get all of the headlines -- the best defensive players in the area. They have to make plays in an era built on the Spread Offense and high scoring games like Denison 65, McKinney 64. But there are players who can make plays on defense and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Here's a look at VYPE's Hot 20 top defensive players in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as selected by VYPE contributor Todd Wills. Today's pick is: No. 16 Earnest Norman, LB, Euless Trinity Norman is one of top players who has started as a freshman at Trinity. Enough said. The Trojans were tremendous against the run, and Norman was one of the top playmakers and tacklers. He has committed to Kansas. He can make plays sideline to sideline. Previous picks were: 20. Nosa Eguae, DE, Mansfield Summit. Eguae, who has committed to Colorado, has great strength and quickness at the defensive end position. He is also a very smart player -- Eguae scored a 1330 on the SAT. Eguae, at 6-3, 234 pounds, made seven sacks and 18 tackles for a loss last season. 19. Demontre Hurst, DB, Lancaster. The Tigers have all kinds of talent all over their secondary. Hurst is the best of the bunch. He is versatile, playing safety, corner and nickel back. He is part of talented group that includes Kerry Lewis and Phillip Harvey. 18. Matt Bonano, DB, Highland Park. Bonano is one of those standout high school football players who brings leadership and ability to make plays to an improving Highland Park defense. He has a nose for the football. 17. Terrance Bullitt, DB, Garland Naaman Forest. Bullitt isn't following his big brother Melvin to Texas A&M -- Terrance is going to Texas Tech -- but he has followed in his brother's footsteps as an outstanding defensive force for the Rangers. He had close to 100 tackles last season and will hit that mark again this season. "He's just such a special player," Naaman Forest coach Bill Patterson said. "He makes plays and makes guys around him better."