We begin our defensive player football rankings this week, kicking off with the best ends in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Next week, we'll take a look at the area's premier tackles and middle guards.

Our top-10 list is based on a player's ability to: corral the quarterback; pursue running backs; strength in one-on-one situations and when double-teamed, and quickness off the ball, among other things.

Please note that some two-way standouts, such as West Chester Rustin's Chase Hoyt, were already listed as among the region's best offensive linemen and their names will not be duplicated here.

Since compiling this list was difficult, we've added two players and made it a top 12.

1. Josh Coulter, Downingtown West, senior, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. With strength and a nonstop motor, the area's top sack artist consistently gets to the QB. Kent State has recently expressed interest.

2. Bill Mancini, St. Joseph's Prep, senior, 6-0, 240. With a terrific nose for the ball, Mancini has wreaked havoc in the Hawks' chase for the Catholic League AAAA championship.

3. Andre Poe, North Penn, senior, 6-0, 185. Solid against the run, Poe, also a wideout, has sparked a defense that has yielded only 7.1 points per game.

4. Colin Healy, Pennsbury, senior, 6-1, 215. One of the area's most improved players, Healy has excelled at surging into the opposing backfield.

5. Steve Sinnott, La Salle, senior, 6-4, 230. In addition to being a quality offensive lineman, Sinnott is equally rugged as a run-thwarter.

6. Martin Haynes, George Washington, senior, 6-2, 230. The defending PIAA District 12 AAAA champions have a pair of hard-rushing ends in Haynes and junior Brandon Chudnoff.

7. Kevin Magee, Neshaminy, senior, 6-0, 205. Magee's rock-solid interior efforts have been key in the Redskins' bid for the Suburban One League National Conference crown.

8. Casey DePrinzio, Ridley, senior, 5-11, 225. With his aggressiveness and range, DePrinzio, also a feared fullback, can also be used at linebacker.

9. Brendan O'Callaghan, Cardinal O'Hara, senior, 6-2, 210. He has been a steady performer for a defense that has posted three shutouts and surrendered just 8.6 points per outing.

10. Chris King, Archbishop Carroll, senior, 6-3, 260. Regularly beating blocks to make plays, King was a first-team all-Catholic League AA Division selection.

11. Shawn Oakman, Penn Wood, junior, 6-9, 250. If basketball didn't take up so much of his time, Oakman could be an even bigger force on the gridiron.

12. Evan Battalio, Norristown, senior, 6-2, 260. Battalio's inside muscle has helped paved the way for a PIAA Class AAAA playoff berth. He is a tight end on offense.

Others to watch: Terrell Allen, Frankford, senior, 6-0, 185; Brandon Chudnoff, George Washington, junior, 6-2, 230; Guy Cook, St. Joseph's Prep, junior, 6-1, 180; Fran Corbett, Archbishop Ryan, senior, 6-0, 200; Nick DiSandro, Abington, senior, 6-4, 260; Jacqual Dobbs, Bok, senior, 6-0, 235; Matt Emilius, Council Rock South, junior, 6-2, 200; Jack Gallagher, Roman Catholic, junior, 6-3, 205; Devyn Gallimore, Coatesville, junior, 6-0, 215; Cristian Green, Malvern Prep, senior, 5-10, 200; Nicholas Hale, Upper Perkiomen, senior, 5-11, 210; Shawn Johnson, Frankford, senior, 6-1, 185; Randy Jorgensen, Quakertown, senior, 6-2, 250; Kevin Leneghan, Father Judge, senior, 6-1, 200; Jim Lynch, West Catholic, junior, 6-4, 215; Kyle Moore, Owen J. Roberts, junior, 6-4, 245; Chris Nurthen, Great Valley, senior, 6-3, 235; John Raymon, Council Rock North, junior, 6-5, 235; Alexis Rosario, Glen Mills, senior, 6-1, 225; Sam Shea, Haverford School, senior, 6-0, 200.

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019

or robrien@phillynews.com.