2025 Rankings Risers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth analysis of the 2025 defensive prospects rising up the PRZ state rankings.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723696"],"_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":"At 6'2” 215 lbs. Sanders is an elite three down LB that is equally effective in both run support and in coverage. Patient with his reads limiting wasted movement but flashes good reactionary quickness to locate the ball and break. He closes space in a hurry and brings heavy contact at the POA. In coverage, he does a great job reading the quarterback's eyes to step in the throwing lane and play the ball in the air. Showed he can also make plays behind the LOS as a blitzer both on the interior and on the edge. Recruitment has been steadily on the rise since his freshman year when he was initially offered by Michigan State. Since then he's pulled in 11 more P5 offers including top programs Michigan, Auburn, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and most recently Washington. Fully expect the offers to keep rolling in for him as the recruiting cycle progresses.rnrn12 Offers: Washington, Miami, UCLA, Washington State, Auburn, Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Utah, Arizona, Kansas","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b0f14fdf337"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Duall_5/status/1748245425558340042","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Duall_5/status/1748245425558340042 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406651"],"_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":"Tuiileila is an explosive edge rusher that just completed a breakout junior season where he racked up 23 sacks, 40 TFL, 122 total tackles, and 4 forced fumbles. At 6'2” 240 lbs. he's got a strong athletic frame and is a high-level pass rusher. Possesses a quick first step out of his stance to gain positional leverage and penetration as the play is developing. Has the ability to beat blockers with both his speed and his strength at the contact point. He's savvy in how he releases and frees himself up to make a tackle. Relentless in pursuit, he attacks ball carriers with great effort and aggressiveness to all areas of the field, makes a ton of backside and downfield tackles. Recently picked up his first offer from hometown team Sacramento State but showed out against top competition throughout the 2023 season. Recruitment is just beginning but expect his offer count and ranking to rise as he's able to showcase his skillset.rnrn1 Offer: Sacramento State","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b0f14fdf3e6"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JTuiileila8/status/1737175226847498369","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JTuiileila8/status/1737175226847498369 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["976928"],"_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":"Solid DE prospect with a well-balanced 6'3” 235 lb. frame and good growth potential to add weight. He shows good natural movement skills and athleticism with the lateral agility to work around blockers and down the LOS. His initial quickness out of his stance puts himself in good position early and makes him a tough block. Strong at the contact point with the ability to stack and neutralize blocks and maintain his leverage. Good efficient use of his hands, packs a hard punch and can lockout to control a blocker and maintain separation so he shed to make a tackle. Good foundation and size to build on at the college level and is a very recruitable player given his ability and skillset. Just transferred over to Etiwanda for his senior season and looking to get that initial offer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b0f14fdf450"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DorsettEdwards_/status/1637524770433667073","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DorsettEdwards_/status/1637524770433667073 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406674"],"_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":"Arrington's recruiting is exploding and quickly becoming a national recruit with five new P5 offers coming in the last two weeks from programs like Utah, Penn State, and Tennessee. Picked up a handful offers in the spring to kick off his recruitment but was still flying under the radar given his ability and skillset. At 6'3” 215 lbs. he's an attacking defender that is violent finisher with great instincts and range to play sideline to sideline. He plays fast while flying around in pursuit and exploding at the contact point to finish opponents to the ground. A really good athlete with the short area quickness and burst to redirect and close space. Like his ability to anticipate where the ball's going to trigger quickly and take a good angle to the ball carrier. Does a good job taking on and defeating blockers with his hands, gets good extension to not allow blockers to get into his body and then disengage. Watch him stack up more offers and climb up national rankings/recruiting boards.rnrn14 Offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon State, Penn State, Tennessee, Utah, San Diego State, UCLA, Washington, UNLV, Oregon","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b0f14fdf4b5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LaVarArrington/status/1730294581911286067","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LaVarArrington/status/1730294581911286067 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723738"],"_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":"A lot to like about Taylor's skillset at Corner with his combination of length, speed, and athleticism. Shows great natural ability in both press and off coverage with the speed to stay in phase with receivers at all three levels. Flashes smooth hips and plus change of direction to match movement. Really like his route recognition, shows he can anticipate and lock in on the hip to run the route with the receiver. Great acceleration out of his break to transition, recover, and close space. Uses active hands at the LOS and downfield to gain/maintain positioning. A strong and aggressive tackler that brings good contact in run support or in the open field. Earned his first offer P5 offer from Cal during the season to add to his handful of offers from G5 programs.rnrn4 Offers: Cal, BYU, Nevada, UNLV","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b0f14fdf511"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JesseJtTaylor/status/1724108157667152153","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JesseJtTaylor/status/1724108157667152153 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->