2023 Rankings: 10 Fastest Stock Risers (Defense)

Scott Hood December 16, 2022 @ 09:59 PM

Earlier this week, we released the updated 2023 rankings. Since then, we've told you about some of the fastest Stock Risers,. In Part 3 of a series, we focus on the defense:   [player_tooltip player_id='138072' first='Michael' last='Ash'], Bernalillo: Ash has been one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the Albuquerque Metro region for a couple of year. He finished with an impressive 112 tackles this past season, including a state single game record 27 against Del Norte. He added 30 tackles for loss , 7 sacks and 12 QB hurries. That's a career for most players.   Aggie Aguilar, Bloomfield: The Bobcats' offense grabbed most of the headlines on the way to Bloomfield capturing the Class 4A title, but the defense was pretty good too. Aguilar had a team-high 91 tackles, 6 sacks and 9 QB hurries.         [player_tooltip player_id='269966' first='Jabulani' last='Cooper'], Albuquerque High: Speed is the essence of Cooper's game. He runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds and has offers from all three D-II teams in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='269581' first='Gavon' last='Hall'], Ruidoso: If you're still wondering how Ruidoso managed to shut out St. Michael's in the Class 3A state championship game, the talented Warriors' defense had ballers all over the field. Hall finished with 137 tackles, 12 TFL and 5 sacks to lead the Ruidoso defense.      [player_tooltip player_id='335462' first='Peyton' last='Harrison'], Cibola: Harrison emerged as one of the top linebackers in Albuquerque – if not the state - this past season, finishing with 117 tackles,  15 TFL and 7 sacks to lead the Cibola defense.      [player_tooltip player_id='208829' first='Kayden' last='Lee'], Aztec: Little known outside the Four Corners, Lee enjoyed a fabulous 2022 campaign with 126 tackles, 11 TFL and 11 QB hurries.   [player_tooltip player_id='145396' first='Colt' last='Mangino'], La Cueva: Named first team all-district, first team all-metro, and first team all-state for two years. Mangino could play FBS football as New Mexico State has offered a PWO opportunity. He has also been offered by FCS Valparaiso, Eastern New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands and Grand View University (Des Moines, IA).   [player_tooltip player_id='335476' first='Cole' last='Runyan'], Centennial: With a 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, Runyan will be a solid safety/nickel at the next level. Centennial was another team with a great defense and Runyan was solid all season long.   [player_tooltip player_id='544210' first='Zebadiah' last='Thompson'], West Mesa: One of the Thompson Twins (not the 80s music group), Thompson made 85 tackles with 6 passes defended. He'll play the next level. He has been offered by New Mexico Highlands, Eastern New Mexico and Willamette University (Oregon).     [player_tooltip player_id='269606' first='Anderson' last='Weese'], Raton: Weese has been one of the top defensive players in northern New Mexico for the past two years. This season he finished with 132 tackles and 2 interceptions from his LB spot. He ended his career with an impressive 234 tackles. At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Weese has good size with plenty of room to grow at the next level.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PeytonTHarrison/status/1593458627523661824 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ManginoColt/status/1600650753793662976 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/wmhs_mustangFB/status/1598372422838894592 </div></figure>

Earlier this week, we released the updated 2023 rankings. Since then, we've told you about some of the fastest Stock Risers,. In Part 3 of a series, we focus on the defense: