OWASSO One of Emaud Tripletts heroes has always been his mother, Shelley.

The matriarch of the Triplett family served in the Navy for a decade and currently works as a nurse practitioner while pursuing her doctorate. So when the Owasso senior linebacker found an opportunity to follow in his moms footsteps in the medical field and still continue his football career, Triplett jumped at the chance.

In early June, the Rams standout announced on his Twitter page he had committed to play football at Army.

Before I had dreams of playing football, I wanted to go to medical school and be a pediatrician. I always wanted to be like my mom, Triplett said. So when the Army said they would pay for (my medical school), that just blew my mom away.

Before he heads to West Point, Triplett and fellow senior linebacker Brenden Dye hope to put a bow on their high school careers, which already include a pair of state championships. Both Triplett and Dye are candidates at linebacker in the 2020 All World Preseason Football Contest presented by Bill Knight Automotive.

The contest allows readers to vote for their favorite players at each of eight positions. Candidates were chosen on the basis of past performance, projected 2020 accomplishments and college potential. Players from all grades are eligible and may only be selected at one position.

Readers may vote once per day per device. Voting will run through 3 p.m., Aug. 13, and the winners will be announced in the Tulsa World and at OKPrepsExtra.com in late August. Go to OKPrepsExtra.com for weekly updates on who is in the lead.

Triplett led all of Class 6AI with 140 total tackles a year ago. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder tallied eight sacks and eight tackles for loss and was a World player of the year finalist following his junior season. He is No. 1 in the Worlds preseason linebacker rankings and Dye is No. 4.

Triplett will be a three-year starter at linebacker. He also has been deployed at running back, including in last years state championship game against Jenks. Triplett scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run that helped the Rams to a 14-6 win and capped off the programs first unbeaten season.

Owasso head coach Bill Blankenship attributed some of Tripletts success at linebacker to his snaps with the offense.

Emaud benefits from having running back eyes and the experience of being a running back, Blankenship said. He sees holes, hits holes. Thats what linebackers do.

Dye will also be a three-year starter. The 6-2, 225-pounder collected 112 tackles, including seven sacks, a season ago.

In last years state semifinal win over Broken Arrow, Dye tallied 11 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Blankenship touted his linebacker tandem as good as anybody anywhere and said both will shoulder significant loads this season after graduation losses in the secondary and a shakeup in the coaching staff.

They are, without a doubt, the heart of the defense, Blankenship said. Everything defensively starts with those two inside linebackers. Theyve got to be run stoppers and theyve got to help with the pass. They are the tone-setters for toughness. They are everything.

Vote Now: Here are the 2020 All World linebackers. You pick the best.

Owasso 5-11210Sr.

Committed to Army. The only returning All World football player of the year finalist. In 2019, led the Rams' defense with 140 tackles, including 48 solos, with eight sacks. Produced 18 tackles each against Mustang and Moore. In the regular season against Broken Arrow, had 15 tackles and a 65-yard interception return. Filled in at running back after injuries depleted that position in the playoffs and had 23 carries for 110 yards, including the Rams' second and last TD in a 14-6 win over Jenks in the 6AI state final.

Click here to vote for Emaud

Broken Arrow 6-2225Sr.

Had 95 tackles and two sacks to help the Tigers reach the 6AI semifinals last season. Recorded 16 tackles with nine solos and a key fumble recovery in a 17-15 win over Jenks. Was involved in four first-half sacks in a 35-13 win over Norman. Had five rushing TDs as a freshman for Victory Christian in 2017 before moving to Broken Arrow and helping the Tigers win a state title in a reserve role in 2018.

Click here to vote for Darryan

Metro Christian 6-1170Sr.

Shared District 2A-4 defensive player of the year honors with teammate Price Allman last year. Had 135 tackles with seven sacks and four fumble recoveries to help the Patriots post a 15-0 record and win the 2A state title. Caught a 22-yard TD pass in a playoff game against Kiefer. Had 12 tackles plus two touches for 29 yards in a season-opening win over Broken Bow. Had 87 tackles with two sacks as a sophomore in 2018.

Click here to vote for Cade

Owasso 6-2225Sr.

Had 112 tackles with seven sacks for the Rams last season. Recorded 18 tackles in a 24-10 win over Mustang. Produced 11 tackles with four for losses in a 6AI semifinal victory over Broken Arrow. Scored on a blocked punt return in the opener against Bentonville West. Had a sack or an interception in the last five games. In 2018, had 54 tackles in eight games.

Click here to vote for Brenden

Jenks 6-0190Sr.

Had 85 tackles in his first season with the Trojans helping them reach the 6AI state final. Was involved in 20 tackles against Edmond Santa Fe. The only returnee from last summer's linebacker rankings. Moved from Lincoln Christian, where he had 253 tackles over the 2017 and '18 seasons. Had 17 tackles against a 2018 3A playoff opener. In 2017, had a career-high 21 tackles against Seminole.

Click here to vote for Tyson

Stillwater 6-2220Jr.

Produced 126 tackles and three takeaways last season. Had 39 tackles in the playoffs, including nine solos in the 6AII final against Bixby. Recorded season-highs of 14 tackles against Norman and in the semifinals against Choctaw. Scored on a fumble return against Southmoore.

Click here to vote for Gabe

Bartlesville 6-2235Sr.

In 2019, had 126 tackles with seven sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Was named a team captain as a junior. Has a 4.59 time in the 40. Had 87 tackles in 2018, including 16 against 6AII semifinalist Booker T. Washington and 15 against 5A semifinalist Collinsville. Also used a tight end/fullback.

Click here to vote for Braeden

Bixby 5-9200Sr.

In 2019, had 76 tackles, including 8 1/2 for losses, with three sacks and five quarterback hurries to help the undefeated Spartans win the 6AII state title. Had a season-high 11 tackles and a sack in a semifinal win over Del City. Was involved in eight tackles and had a fumble recovery against 6AI runner-up Jenks. Produced 17 tackles in a reserve role for the Spartans' 2018 state champions.

Click here to vote for Nick

Wagoner 5-8200Sr.

Led the Bulldogs defense with 143 tackles and 16 sacks. Also recovered three fumbles and had an interception. Recorded 16 tackles with a school-record six sacks in a 21-14 win at Bethany in the 4A quarterfinals. Wagoner coach Dale Condict said Gause was "dominant" and "had a breakthrough year."

Click here to vote for Trey

Lincoln Christian 5-9160Sr.

Recorded 116 tackles with three sacks to help the undefeated Bulldogs win the 3A state title last year. Had a season-high 13 tackles, including eight solos, and scored on an interception return against Stigler. Had 10 tackles with two for losses against Inola in a playoff opener. Produced 11 tackles each in the semifinals and final. Had 52 tackles in 2018.

Click here to vote for Daymon

Click here to vote on the best running back

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The 2020 All-World Preseason Football Contest presented by Bill Knight Automotive is underway, giving readers the chance throughout the summer

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All World football: For Owasso's Emaud Triplett, Army and medical school are in his future, but first another 6AI title run - Tulsa World