DeSoto's Keylan Abrams poses for a photo after being named The Dallas Morning News' All-Area Defensive Player of the Year for 2023.DeSoto has produced 10 defensive players who have played in the NFL. An 11th player, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, wasNone of them ever had the kind of season in high school that DeSoto star edge rusher/linebacker Keylan Abrams enjoyed in 2023.
He had the biggest play of the season for DeSoto, stopping Southlake Carroll quarterback Graham Knowles in mid-air just inches shy of the goal line on a fourth-and-goal run from the 3-yard line in the third quarter of the state semifinal. DeSotorated the 35th-best player in the Dallas area, SportsDayHS writer and editor. I have worked at The Dallas Morning News since 2000. I cover high school sports as a reporter and help coordinate our coverage.