Top 2025 Under The Radar Defenders in 6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryder Duffy - Roswell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough sophomore linebacker with natural instincts, Duffy plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 195-pound size and knows how to deliver a sound hit to the ball-carrier. Playing against some strong 6A competition on a weekly basis, the Roswell Hornet was a tackling machine all season long and led the 2025 class in tackles for the 6A class last year. Leading the Hornets on defense all the way to the 6A state semi-finals, Duffy was active all season long. recording 117 total tackles and 10 TFLs. He gets into the backfield quickly and does a great job of wrapping up at the feet. He made at least 7 tackles in 10 games this year and led all sophomores in tackles across the state in 6A. Look for him to have another excellent season in 2023 as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570118' first='Drew' last='Burmeister'] - Woodstock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sure-tackling middle linebacker that sure doesn't play like a sophomore, Burmeister is a good athlete who plays with a lot of physicality. The Cherokee County native has natural instincts and knows how to come downhill and fill the running lanes between the tackles. He gets to the ball in a hurry and had a fantastic sophomore season while leading the Woodstock defense. He made 96 total tackles last season for an average of 9.6 tackles per game. He's made 10+ tackles in five games this season with his best performance coming against rival Etowah, making 14 tackles with two TFLs. He's made one sack as well along with one fumble recovery and two forced fumble. He's a true sophomore linebacker to know north of Atlanta who could see some college interest come his way in the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Hastie - Douglas County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough two-way player who had an immediate impact as a sophomore last season, Hastie has a natural feel for the game and a true nose for the football. He brings a physical presence that you just don't see often from young players and made a name for himself among sophomore linebackers west of Atlanta last year. He's got plenty of size on his frame at 6-foot2 215-pounds and knows how to run with power. At linebacker, when he gets to the ball-carrier, he's going to deliver a sound, physical hit. He sheds blocks consistently and covers a lot of ground in a hurry. He made 93 tackles last year which was towards the top for 2025 linebackers in 6A. He also added 7 TFLs and 3 sacks. He flashed D1 potential and could see some serious interest come his way over thee next several months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340534' first='Santonio' last='Jones'] - Langston Hughes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another sure-tackling defender, Jones is an Atlanta-area safety who played early on for one of the top teams in the state in 6A champion Langston Hughes. On a talented roster, Jones still found a way to make an impact as a sophomore. He's a physical defender who can take on blocks and locate the ball carrier. He's quick, instinctive, and like most second-year players, he's only going to get better this off-season before he enters his junior year. As a sophomore last fall, Jones made 93 total tackles and two INTs. After an impressive sophomore year, Jones should see his stock continue to rise over the next several weeks. He'll be a top safety prospect to know in Atlanta in the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->