STOCK RISERS: Biggest Defensive Jumps In 2023 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 season is quickly approaching, meaning it's time to update the 2203 rankings. Multiple prospects earned new rankings, and others made big moves up the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few big risers in the latest 2023 Prep Redzone Rankings…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="321275" first="Whit" last="Weeks"]<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/whit-weeks/"></a>&nbsp;– Oconee County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top athletes in the Athens area, Weeks dominated as a junior and was one of the top overall defenders in 3A last fall. The LSU commit also proved to be one of the the top overall linebacker in the state, making a combined 134 total tackles during the season. That's just one reason why he made a giant jump in the rankings, now coming in at No. 39 overall in the state. He's instinctive, he strikes, and he's one of the smartest players on the field. He gets into the backfield in a hurry and uses his hands well to get off blocks. He's got good size at 6-foot-2 205-pounds. He plays hard, he's tough, he's physical, and he lead a very strong Oconee County defense all season. There aren't many linebackers who have the same size, instincts, toughness, and big-play ability like Weeks, and it's led to offers from Georgia, LSU, USC, among others. He has great bloodlines as well as his father played for the Georgia Bulldogs in the 90s and his brother, West Weeks, currently plays for LSU.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="326300" first="Shelton" last="Lewis"]<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/shelton-lewis/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Stockbridge&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one of the biggest ranking boots in the latest update came from impressive defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='326300' first='Shelton' last='Lewis'], who comes in at No. 43, who moves up over 100 spots in the latest update. The Stockbridge standout's versatility and cover skills make him one of the top defensive backs not only in Atlanta, but across the state. The 5-foot-11 170-pounder does a great job of roaming the back end and can close really well on a receiver when the ball is in the air. He has good speed and knows how to sink his hips and run with receivers. He controls the middle of the field in coverage and has enough length to make plays against bigger, longer receivers. He has great safety instincts against the pass and can also play physical as he can separate receivers from the ball. He's making a commitment soon and holds offers from North Carolina, Clemson, Pittsburgh, Boston College, among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='330502' first='Tyree' last='Weathersby']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyree-weathersby/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– DL – New Manchester</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick, strong interior defensive line prospect who consistently finds his way into the backfield, the Douglasville native jumped all the way to No. 57 in the state in the latest 2023 Prep Redzone rankings. Weathersby has plenty of length and quickness for some one on the interior, and he was a game-wrecker last fall, making 57 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 6 sacks. &nbsp;The Region 6-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year took an official visit to Tennessee the weekend of June 24th and that was all he needed to see. Weathersby committed to Tennessee over offers from Boston College, UCONN, among others. He's a versatile lineman who can line up anywhere along the defensive line, and he has plenty of time to add more weight and muscle before he gets to Knoxville next year. There's a lot to like about his game as he knows how to blow up any particular play against the run, as well as get after the passer from the interior, something every defensive coach would love to have.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="400133" first="Marcellius" last="Pulliam"] </strong>- <strong>Sandy Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, athletic linebacker with great instincts, the Sandy Creek linebacker made a big move in the latest PRep Redzone rankings, coming in at No. 73 in the state for the latest 2023 rankings. He's a tough, physical tackler who leaves a bruise when he connects with the running back. He lived in the backfield last year and made play after play against the run. He sheds blocks with ease, using his strong hands to break away from opposing linemen and tight ends. He shows good pursuit of the ball-carrier and loves to play up in the box to help clog running lanes in the trenches. He's also an excellent pass rusher and can blitz from any position on the field. He's quick, physical, versatile, and it's led to some impressive D1 offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->