Senior Sleepers: Six 2023 Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing under the lights on Friday nights has ended for the class of 2023. This may be the end of the high school chapter, but that does not mean this is the conclusion for every story</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The path to college football is easier for some than others, leaving many players with question marks regarding their next chapter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a list of six talented defensive players who stood out in multiple positions during their senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["528895"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKeeler was arguably one of the best football players to step onto the gridiron this season, yet he remains grossly underrated as a recruit. The Eagles finished the season with a top-ranked defense, and Keeler was the key to the defense's dominant performance. His unstoppable motor allows him to apply relentless pressure in the backfield, while his overall athleticism and speed make him capable of chasing down a ball carrier from anywhere on the field. He has a similar playing style, and look, to a former Southern California Trojan who went on to have a prominent career in the league as an EDGE player for the Green Bay Packers; if you know, you know. Keeler is a nightmare for offenses, no matter how many blockers he has to go through, making him one of the most slept-on players in the state.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["150073"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRice has had an outstanding high school career that ended with him being a four-time state champion as a member of the state's most dominant defense on a consistent basis. His frame, playing style, and understanding of the game allow him to play as a defensive tackle or a middle linebacker. Rice is a successful player who has a nose for the football and an understanding of what it takes to be a champion, giving him the needed qualifications for collegiate programs in search of a talented defender.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["22762"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":324269,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGerlach II is a player whose high school career started with him being a star wide receiver but ended with him being one of the best safeties in the state. His ability to dominate in multiple positions on both sides of the ball is a testament to his impressive versatile skill set and unwavering dedication to becoming a top-tier competitor. His size, speed, physicality, and ability to play the ball in the air make him an instant standout regardless of where he lines up on the field. Gerlach II is an outstanding player who deserves to be in the conversation among programs in search of a talented athlete.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["247225"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThome is a ball-hawking safety with some of the best instincts of any senior member of the secondary. He does an excellent job at staying over the top of routes and scanning the field while flowing in coverage. His ability to anticipate a throw and break on the ball is extremely impressive. Thome is a next-level player with top-tier talent who will be a difference-maker for whichever program lands him.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["189119"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":479699,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBliek is a monstrous defensive tackle who can play multiple positions on the front. He has tremendous power and strength that mix perfectly with his relentless motor. His ability to apply pressure from the interior or the edge makes him an integral part of a defensive front's ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. Bliek is still an extremely underrated prospect who has top-tier potential as a recruit.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":576921,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Peyton Taylor","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Eaglecrest","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTaylor is another player who had a very impressive senior season as a cornerback and dangerous returner. His skills as a defensive back are polished and technical, allowing him to fulfill the duties of a number-one corner. His overall speed and athleticism make him a problematic defender to beat, but they also make him a player capable of breaking free and outrunning his opponents whenever the ball is in his hands. Taylor may be a little more unknown than some of the other players on this list, but he is no less a sleeper. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b0b75538953"} /-->