Top 2025 Defenders On The Rise

Matt DeBary March 14, 2023 @ 06:56 AM

Thee 2025 class in Georgia is full of quality peach-state defenders, and many of them continue to add major offers.   Which 2025 defenders in Georgia continue to see their stock rise? Let's take a look...   Onis “O” Konanbanny - DB - Rabun Gap School   Easily the hottest 2025 prospect in Georgia right now, the two-way player from North Georgia at Rabun Gap is earning a new offer just about every day this month. Once a promising "under the radar" defensive back, the 6-foot-2 175-pounder is in the middle of seeing his recruitment take off, earning offers the last two weeks from Penn State, Virginia Tech, UCF, Duke, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Tennessee, among others. He's a natural defensive back, with impressive length, instincts, and ball skills. He has plenty of tools that college coaches covet, and he's quickly climbing up recruiting boards left and right. Defensively, his quick, balanced footwork allows him to stay with twitchy, quicker receivers while his length and physicality on the outside allows him to match up with some of the bigger receivers in the area. He's a sure tackler, doesn't shy away from contact, and can make a big tackle in the open field. He looks the part of a big-time SEC defensive back and has the sophomore film to back up all of his recent offers. Look for his recruitment to continue soaring why he climbs the 2025 rankings over time.     [player_tooltip player_id='667497' first='Tavion' last='Wallace'] - LB - Wayne County   The Wayne County Yellow Jackets are on the rise as one of the top up and coming programs in South Georgia, and a lot of it has to due to excellent defense. That defense is led by an outstanding sophomore linebacker in [player_tooltip player_id='667497' first='Tavion' last='Wallace'], a versatile linebacker with plenty of toughness and a muscular 6-foot-1 200-pound frame. The Jesup native can make plays from multiple linebacker positions, making it easy to make plays in a number of different ways. Normally used as an outside linebacker, Wallace can rundown the ball-carrier trying to get to the boundary and showed impressive cover skills as well. He's long, athletic, reacts quickly against the run and knows how to naturally shed blocks in pursuit of the running back. As a sophomore last season, Wallace was a reliable tackler, making 75 stops and 8.5 TFLs. He also added two sacks during the season. One of the hardest hitters in the area, Wallace was a turnover machine last season, forcing four fumbles while recovering three more, with one INT to go with them. A true difference maker on defense, Wallace recently earned new D1 offers from Florida State and Mississippi State with more likely on the way.   Jake Thorner - Walton   One of the top 2025 linebackers in Cobb County, Thorner made a big impact as a sophomore for one of thee top 7A programs in Georgia. Playing on a loaded Raider defense, Thorner flashed time after time and made a name for himself as the season went along. A versatile linebacker who can sneak into the backfield, Thorner has a lengthy frame at 6-foot-2 215-pounds and had a very productive season as a sophomore last year, making 86 total tackles along with a handful of TFLs. He reads the play quickly, understands his role, and shows a great motor. He closes quickly on the ball-carrier and has a true nose for the football. He flashed easy D1 potential and recently earned a new offer from Miami (OH). His best football is still way ahead of him, so look for his role and overall statistics to increase more next fall as a junior. The Walton defense is expected to be one of the region's best once again, and Thorner is a big reason why. Still a little under the radar, Thorner is bound for a gigantic junior season in 2023.

Thee 2025 class in Georgia is full of quality peach-state defenders, and many of them continue to add major offers.