2025 Rankings Update: Defensive Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the fun part.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the 53 additions we made to the Class of 2025 rankings in this cycle, 19 fell on the defensive side of the ball. We've got shutdown corners and huge defensive linemen, tackling-machine linebackers and safeties who have the ability to take over a game. There are players in all five classifications of the SCHSL, and some of them have put together the type of stretch that boosted them not only into the rankings, but way up the ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And all of them have another year and a half of eligibility remaining. We expect to be hearing these names over and over again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the defensive additions to the Prep Red Zone Class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013114' first='Antwain' last='Jones']</strong> LB, Lake City - Will be an absolute force when he returns to the playing field</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013106' first='Dreshawn' last='Blanding']</strong> LB, Scott's Branch - Long-term potential starting to show here and now</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013073' first='Jaquavious' last='Dodd']</strong> DL, Eastside - Piling up TFLs now that he's an every down player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013065' first='Amir' last='Rogers']</strong> ATH, Latta - Middle linebacker playing big part in getting explosive offense back on the field</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013042' first='Kentrell' last='Brown']</strong> ATH, Wagener-Salley - Strong downhill tackler doubling up as team's most productive tailback</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012620' first='Web' last='Barnes']</strong> LB, Hartsville - Still trying to get back on the field this year, and if he does, Red Foxes immediately get even better</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013038' first='Khalil' last='Dorsey']</strong> DL, Andrews - Learning on the fly, but has the height to affect any play when he's on the field</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012860' first='Chris' last='Pearson']</strong> DB, Fairfield Central - Speed and length helping Pearson make his mark</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']</strong> LB, Cross - Defensive numbers taking a hit only because of offensive production</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012841' first='Daniel' last='Ray']</strong> LB, Lake View - Length standing out in Year 1 in South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith']</strong> DL, Dutch Fork - Rarely out of position and always in contention to make a play</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012698' first='Hendrix' last='Beran']</strong> DL, James Island (pictured) - Another physically imposing member of a laughable JI defensive line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012695' first='Acie' last='Hatfield']</strong> ATH, Christ Church - Talented defensive back had no issue stepping in at quarterback</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012649' first='Landyn' last='Cribb']</strong> LB, Johnsonville - Undoubtedly one of the class' most effective linebackers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012625' first='Dylan' last='Polansky']</strong> LB, Ashley Ridge - Already called him a heat-seeking missile, and we're sticking with it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi']</strong> DB, White Knoll - Yet another White Knoll burner in training</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012611' first='Fred' last='Reese']</strong> DB, South Pointe - Coverage skills plus special teams equal college interest galore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions']</strong> DB, Dutch Fork - Picks off passes, forces fumbles, gets behind the line and makes stops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders']</strong> DL, Blythewood - Size usually doesn't lie, and Sanders has it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->