Linfield ended the 2024 regular season as Northwest Conference champions after a 34-7 slogging of Whitworth. A large part of the Wildcats' success this season has been due to the dominant play of the defense. Linfield is the 15^th ranked defense nationally and led the conference in sacks (34), interceptions (20), interceptions returned for touchdowns (4), pass yards allowed (1,766), total yards allowed (2,378) and several other categories.
 
Star senior, Blake Rybar, becomes the first player in the history of the Northwest Conference to win three Defensive Player of the Year awards, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players to come through Linfield. Rybar joins ten other Wildcats on the 2024 All-NWC defensive teams.
 
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Rybar led the Linfield defense with 70 tackles, a career high for the senior from Monroe, Wash. He also recorded 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery.
 
Caleb Sell and Alex Frazier-Dow controlled the line of scrimmage, with Frazier-Dow earning his second career All-NWC selection. Sell notched his first career selection as he tallied 28 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, all career highs. He also recovered one fumble against Denison. Frazier-Dow finished the season with 27 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles.
 
After being named to the All-NWC second team defense a season ago, Caiden Biege-Wetherbee finds himself on the first team after 36 tackles two tackles for loss, one interception and four passes defended.
 
Making a repeat appearance on the first team and third overall appearance, defensive back, Chance Sparks impressed voters yet again after playing both offense and defense for the Wildcats. On the defensive side of the ball, the Century High School product totaled 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, one of which went back for a touchdown, and one sack. Offensively, Sparks caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Rounding out the first team selections for Linfield is Nick Severson, who was voted to the All-NWC first team defense for the fourth straight time in his career. The Sherwood, Ore. native totaled 23 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovered.
 
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Receiving his first All-NWC selection, Connor Stevens burst onto the scene for Linfield this year. His 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks drew attention from voters as he brought chaos from the edge of the defensive line throughout the season.
 
Blaze Holani was an anchor for the Wildcat defense this season. They sky is the limit for the junior who receives his first All-NWC honor after 33 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions returned for touchdowns and one blocked kick.
 
A senior from Tualatin, Jett Searle found himself on the All-NWC list for the first time. The senior defensive back played lockdown defense with 27 tackles to go along with one interception and three passes defended.
 
Colby Kalaukoa closes out the second team defense nominations for the Wildcats. The senior was named to the second team defense in 2022, but was unable to finish the 2023 season due to injury. In 2024, he recorded 42 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended.
 
HONORABLE MENTION
Kenyon Johnson finishes the All-NWC defensive selections as he earns an honorable mention thanks to 26 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended from the cornerback position.