2025 Defensive Newcomers on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am combing through Nevada's 2025 defenders, and I like what I see. The linebackers and defensive linemen are talented throughout the state, and I wanted to highlight five rising prospects in Prep Redzone's rankings. Below, I highlight five prospects who are set to blow up in the new year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["989328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Isaiah Te'o had a strong junior year developing as a defensive prospect. Isaiah has received some awards for being a top Las Vegas defender, but I am surprised schools have not shown much interest this fall. Expect that to change sooner rather than later. Isaiah shows a good combination of power and closing speed flattening ball carriers in space. Good instincts and a fast change of direction shows redirecting to play the quarterback's eyes in zone coverage. Coaches like Isaiah's size, physicality, and tackling ability that suggests he has the potential to be a true middle linebacker in college.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1099924"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1099924' first='Cole' last='Keith'] had a fantastic season putting up over 100 tackles for Faith Lutheran. The good-sized linebacker is bound to receive increased attention after a season that included a state championship appearance. Cole shows good length, strength, and athleticism getting under offensive tackles and working a dip u0026amp; rip move to pressure quarterbacks. Good quickness and instincts shows redirecting when unblocked to pursue ball carriers in the run game. Cole's acceleration and good tackling ability gets displayed running through receivers in space. Good awareness and a quick change of direction highlights Cole's potential to be a versatile linebacker prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1099912"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1099912' first='Nick' last='Duffy'] lit up Nevada's defensive statistics this fall. I wrote about him recently but revisited the tape and was impressed with his junior season. He was invited to Fresno State and Northern Arizona games this fall, so be on the lookout for more schools in the region to be in contact with him in 2024. Good shed, power, and tackling ability gets displayed fighting through contact and stopping running backs at the line of scrimmage. Quickness and next level acceleration gets displayed redirecting to disrupt the catchpoint in zone coverage. Nick's size, speed, and instincts gives him the potential to play both inside linebacker spots in college.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1111094"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1111094' first='Steven' last='Manuma'] is one of the fastest-rising pass rushers in Nevada. The versatile defender received his first offer from UNLV in August, and after an improved junior campaign I am confident there is more scholarships on the way. Good instincts, quickness, and a fluid change of direction shows consistently making plays in the backfield as a run defender. Good flexibility and closing speed gets displayed when Steve runs the hoop and pressures scrambling quarterbacks. Coaches love Steve's combination of length and burst displayed exploding off the edge as a speed rusher.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1128644"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1128644' first='Eliah' last='Logo'] has received interest from Hawaii and UNLV this fall. I was immediately impressed with Eliah's improved strength and athleticism shown on his junior tape. After his progress shown during the 2023 season, I would expect Eliah to be a top DL prospect out of Las Vegas once the new year gets underway. Quickness, good instincts, and Eliah's tackling ability shows consistently disrupting runs behind the line of scrimmage. Next level athleticism and range gets displayed changing direction and finishing tackles outside of his vicinity as a run defender. Strong hands and good lateral quickness allows Eliah to beat interior pass blockers with speed as well as power. Eliah's size, speed, and power gives him the potential to be a versatile interior pass rusher in college.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658de19618c3e"} /-->