Other Ranked & Noteworthy Top WA 25’s- DEFENSE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>We talked last week on some of WA's fastest rising athletes on both sides of the football. With the 2025 rankings recently being updated, there are numerous individuals deserving of recognition. Have a look at some of Washington's best for the class, with the complete top 200 below</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/washington/rankings/2025-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/washington/rankings/2025-rankings/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#59 [player_tooltip player_id='693697' first='Chris' last='Hauss'] 6-3 275 DL Yelm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hauss will project as a 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference and all state D lineman this coming season. With all of the talent on the Tornadoes roster, he could thrive on the defensive front and pose serious problems for opponents in most 1 on 1 situations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#64 [player_tooltip player_id='945862' first='Connor' last='Aney'] 6-3 280 DL Glacier Peak&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WA state wrestling champ can also play some football, using that agility and technique to his advantage. He moves incredibly well for a big man that's still so young. As a sophomore he went for 20+ tackles in 7 games. He will project as a 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference kid in the years ahead.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#77 [player_tooltip player_id='348164' first='Josiah' last='Paaga'] 6-0 180 DB Kennedy Catholic<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paaga could fly up this list. He was a standout at the Max Xposure Showcase a few weeks back, after earning 1^st team all-league honors this past season, while helping the Lancers to the state title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#88 [player_tooltip player_id='945870' first='Nolan' last='McWilliams'] 5-11 170 CB Juanita&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McWilliams stepped up as a sophomore for a Ravens team that went 5-5 last season. Look for him to be one of the top two-way threats in the conference, doing well statistically on D, while impressing as part of FSP on offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#111 [player_tooltip player_id='693762' first='Sunny' last='Nguyen'] 5-9 165 CB Timberline</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1^st&nbsp;team all SSC DB was one of the top defenders in the conference as an undersized sophomore. His numbers speak for themselves, finishing the year with 30 tackles, 5 INTs, and 8 PBUs. Nguyen possesses the necessary confidence and demeanor to do well at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#118 [player_tooltip player_id='945877' first='Isaiah' last='Oudman'] 6-3 215 OLB Lynden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oudman earned 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference honors at TE, while projecting as more of an athletic OLB for the top ranked Lynden program. He has the length and overall size to make a name for himself with continued progression.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#119 [player_tooltip player_id='928102' first='Jacob' last='Tracy'] 6-6 245 TE/DE Yelm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect Tracy to skyrocket up this list and end up one of the top ranked big men in the NW. His combination of size and fluidity is unique as he can play multiple spots on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#122 [player_tooltip player_id='924366' first='Finn' last='Brake'] 6-4 220 DE Capital&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid can play. Brake brings legit size and speed to the table as a stand up rush DE. On the year he averaged 2 tackles per game, with 3 sacks, and 4 tackles for loss. He has the frame to add some substantial size and be physical presence coming off that edge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#134 [player_tooltip player_id='512680' first='Malakai' last='Sene Maiava'] 6-1 225 DE Goldendale&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Malakai to potentially rank as a top 50 athlete, while making maybe the biggest jump of any individual on this list. He comes from a football family and was dominant at multiple off-season camps. He will be a POY candidate at the 1A level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#137 [player_tooltip player_id='693773' first='Cincere' last='Ruffin'] 6-1 185 DB Stadium&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruffin is a talented overall athlete with size that started defensively as a sophomore. Look for him to be a factor on both sides of the football this season, with multiple Big Sky's already paying attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->