Defensive Impact Players Going into Week 9

<p>As we near playoff football throughout the state, these players have placed the spotlight both on their squads and as an individual. The future of Arkansas high school football is in good hands considering all but one player on today's list is of the 2025 or 2026 class.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135244' first='Jakob' last='Coleman'] (2025) | Safety | Joe T. Robinson</strong></p>   <p>Making the trek from California to play football this season for the Senators, [player_tooltip player_id='1135244' first='Jakob' last='Coleman'] (5-10, 170) has rocketed up recruiting boards in true fashion only exemplified by [player_tooltip player_id='819089' first='Wyatt' last='Simmons']' rise this past off-season. Coleman has been ranked as high as the top 10 throughout the whole state in the 2025 class rankings and rightfully so with his premier talent and IQ. He acquires an incredible wittiness about him that helps him read plays and movements pre-snap and puts him in position before receivers begin their routes. Coleman also makes it a point to not settle for measly pass break-ups, he goes for the interception by making receivers play defense on 50/50 balls. What is most impressive on film is his footwork and hip transitions, which are as quick and seamless as I've seen in my time as a scout.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jaaythaagoat1/status/1710849781440868805?s=46&t=nqAbwucaEL55uolfkK-lqw </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='715179' first='KJ' last='Colen'] (2025) | Corner | Pulaski Academy</strong></p>   <p>A large portion of Pulaski Academy's success this season is due to "KJ's Island". [player_tooltip player_id='715179' first='KJ' last='Colen'] (6-0, 170) has great length that is incorporated in his impressive closing speed to bat balls down in professional fashion. The attribute that jumps off the film is his adjustments mid-route that allow him to stick by receivers throughout their progression. He has inserted a swift swivel move that quickly puts him in position following a quick receiver jab and cross move that doesn't waste Colen any time in getting back into proper defensive positioning. If a receiver is talented enough to make a catch against Colen, the savvy tackler looks to tackle the ball and jab the ball loose on most occasio</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1011735' first='Cameron' last='Cunningham'] (2025) | Corner | Rogers</strong></p>   <p>This "alpha" corner for Rogers brings a very disciplined approach that drives an attack that is intuitive, quick, and aggressive. [player_tooltip player_id='1011735' first='Cameron' last='Cunningham'] (5-8, 165) has great ball skills when the ball is in the air, the ability he has to find the ball quickly and just in time while tracking his adversary is noteworthy for scouts. Cunningham stays hip-locked with receivers down the field in man-to-man routes but will show no hesitation in understanding his zone coverage when to pick up an incoming route. Look for Cunningham to become a shutdown corner throughout the playoffs and even into his senior season for the Mounties.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/camcunningham34/status/1709383692307644665 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='968927' first='Wyatt' last='Brown'] (2024) | Linebacker | Perryville</strong></p>   <p>The lone senior on this list continues to make his presence felt throughout Perryville's season. [player_tooltip player_id='968927' first='Wyatt' last='Brown'] (6-0, 195) is a large player in the box for any offensive unit to account for, especially with his effects on the run game. He has an especially quick step off the edge of offensive formations and his large frame causes trouble for quarterbacks to get passes off his way. His ability to be a one-handed tackler off of blocks is an incredible attribute to his game, especially in the gaps at the line of scrimmage.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/wyatt_brown10/status/1709780075976040752?s=46&t=nqAbwucaEL55uolfkK-lqw </div></figure>   <p><strong>Tonio Phillips (2025) | Safety | Newport</strong></p>   <p>The Greyhounds youth movement is in full swing with many of their premier play-makers being juniors and sophomores. Hitting their stride down the stretch, the Greyhounds are 3-1 in the past 4 games and are looking to close out a 1-loss conference season. The young players, such as Tonio Phillips, are adapting to their roles and beginning to show excellence that will favor the Newport program for years to come. Phillips shows an increase in instincts as the season progresses, it seems his jumps on quarterback movements and throws are getting quicker.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/beardandabowt1e/status/1715932928641822795?s=46&t=nqAbwucaEL55uolfkK-lqw </div></figure>

As we near playoff football throughout the state, these players have placed the spotlight both on their squads and as an individual. The future of Arkansas high school football is in good hands considering all but one player on today's list is of the 2025 or 2026 class.