Division I Prospects: 2023 Defenders

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It is no secret that Colorado is still a fly-over state when it comes to recruiting, but there are more than a handful of players who reel in big-time offers from major programs.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Having four Division I programs (three FBS and one FCS) reside within the state’s borders provides a more substantial opportunity for in-state recruits than in states with fewer D1 programs. However, a recruit’s potential value is often measured by the number of offers they have received and who extended the offers. It should go without saying that a player who receives multiple D1 offers is a D1 player, but not having those offers does not mean a player is not worthy.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This article will look at four defensive players who are big-time D1 recruits while also highlighting four sleepers worthy of D1 attention.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400;">Cherry Creek’s </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="62241" first="Blake" last="Purchase"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">(2023 EDGE) is a prime example of elite talent. According to his Twitter account, the 6-foot-4, 230lbs player has received over 15 FBS offers, including USC, Oklahoma, Oregon, Colorado, and Texas Tech. The three-time state champion is the top-ranked player in the state with league potential, making him an easy top-tier player to identify in the recruiting world.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/BlakePurchase/status/1521652944701050880?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <span style="font-weight: 400;">The same can be said for Purchase’s teammate, </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="62213" first="Logan" last="Brantley"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">(2023 SS). Brantley is a hybrid strong safety and outside linebacker who can effortlessly fill the nickel role. Brantley has racked up 14 D1 offers during this offseason, including Washington State, Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, and San Diego State.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/LoganBrantley4/status/1516070563529195522?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <span style="font-weight: 400;">Middle linebacker </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="62220" first="Tai" last="Faavae"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (2023) from Fountain-Fort Carson, along with Mullen’s </span><b>Hunter Lay</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (2023 EDGE), have each received seven D1 offers to play at the next level. Faavae is arguably the best inside backer in the state who picked up notable offers from Colorado State, Nevada, and Hawaii. Lay holds offers from San Diego State, Nevada, and multiple academies and Ivy League programs.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/TaiFaavae/status/1518599509865074688?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Four defensive sleepers</span></strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Two players who have begun to show up on D1 radars are Mullen’s </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="150075" first="Ishmael" last="Aceves Jr"].</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (2023 LB) and Fairview’s </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="150076" first="Zach" last="Lewis"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (2023 LB). Aceves Jr. holds offers from Nevada and New Mexico State, while Lewis holds one from Coastal Carolina. Even though both players hold at least one D1 offer, they are still underrated recruits.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/HunterLay13/status/1514783222772617220?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <span style="font-weight: 400;">Aceves Jr. is an athlete with fluid movements, excellent power, and unmatched physicality. In addition to his standout skills, Aveves Jr. pairs his phenomenal athleticism with his raw instincts to perform as one of the best linebackers in the state’s 2023 class.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/IshmaelAcevesJr/status/1498851362762682375?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <span style="font-weight: 400;">Lewis is another slept-on linebacker who should have much more than just one D1 offer. He has a solid frame with great size and outstanding speed and strength. His ability to read, identify, and disrupt plays is a testament to his high IQ and competitive mindset.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/Zachlewis2023/status/1496507190793973769?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <span style="font-weight: 400;">Two players who have D1 potential but are still awaiting offers are </span><b>AJ Jordan</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (2023 DL) from Vista Ridge and </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="247225" first="Jason" last="Thome"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (2023 DB) from Ralston Valley. Jordan is a 6-foot-5, 220lbs defensive lineman who recently started to gain attention from Colorado State. His size, length, and power make him an instant standout, while his on-field production gives him significant potential as a recruit.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/Aj_Jordan42/status/1511001262082301953?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed] <span style="font-weight: 400;">Thome is a talented safety with outstanding ball-hawking instincts. He is a takeaway machine who flows over the top of routes while staying aware of the QB’s targets before exploding out of his breaks to undercut the receivers. He’s a physical player who does not hesitate to initiate contact with the ball carrier. Thome is starting to garner D1 attention from Wyoming, but he is still a significant sleeper as a recruit.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/JasonThome12/status/1520590749368156160?s=20&t=TWJHY8Vq1UcGiIXWx2svvA[/embed]