Defensive Sleepers: Underscouted Defenders In The Top 200

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Inspired by a physical hockey game on my television set and while looking forward to a low-scoring Chiefs playoff game, I decided to feature the defensive side of the ball for this scouting report.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The athletes in this list are currently ranked in the top 200 in the most recent Class of 2025 rankings, which were released earlier this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other common thread with this group is they have not been individually featured in the past six months.  Each of these eight juniors can impact an opposing offensive coach's game plan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570191' first='Lincoln' last='Stueve'], </strong>DL, 6'4”, 220, Blue Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stueve hauled in a whole bushel full of post-season accolades for his performance during his junior season. The Blue Valley junior is currently ranked No. 18 by Prep Redzone. He racked up 91 total tackles for the Tigers. He also recorded 21 tackles for loss and seven quarterback sacks. He is fast and strong. He could also play tight end at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115466' first='Jason' last='Smart']</strong>, DB, 6'1”, 160, Parsons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smart if a turnover machine. During his junior season, he picked off five pass attempts for interceptions and recovered two fumbles. Smart is currently ranked No. 66 overall. In 11 games he finished with 29 total tackles and 13 pass breakups. He got added exposure this fall playing on a talented Parsons Vikings squad that features multiple ranked players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='352357' first='Ashton' last='Morgan'],</strong> DB, 5'9”, 165, Blue Valley North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan is just ripped! This young man not only passes the eye test, but he is a disrupter on the field. During his junior campaign, he collected 50 total tackles and recorded one interception. He is currently ranked No. 67. He has the look of a guy who can play gunner on kickoff and punt teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866505' first='Conlee' last='Hovey']</strong>, DL, 6'5”, 225, Louisburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hovey is a two-side prospect for the Wildcats. Based on his HUDL highlights his preference is to play tight end, but Prep Redzone currently lists him as a defensive lineman. He is currently ranked No. 77. He has a nice combination of size and speed. He for sure has nice hands and makes a big offensive target. He can play tight end at the next level, but I think his future is on the D-line. He has the size to cause problems on the interior, and the speed to disrupt the backfield off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866489' first='Joseph' last='Arnold'],</strong> DB, 6'1”, 170, Blue Valley West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arnold had an injury-shortened junior season. He played in just five games, but this young man has a high ceiling. He plays free safety, but I can easily see him bulking up some and transitioning to an outside linebacker. The Husky junior is currently ranked No. 127. In the five games he played, he finished with 31 total tackles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570287' first='Anderson' last='Wood'],</strong> LB, 5'11”, 205, Shawnee Mission East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wood is a fearless linebacker who is not afraid to unload the wood on opposing ball carriers. He has solid speed and quick reactions to the offense. He is currently ranked No. 144 overall. He is a beast in the weight room and also wrestles for the Lancers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570260' first='Eric' last='Smith III'],</strong> DL 6'2”, 215, Atchison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Atchison Phoenix has a solid prospect in Smith. He is versatile and can play both sides of the ball. On defense, he finished with 70 total tackles, 20 of which were TFLs, during his junior campaign. He can also play tight end and scored three touchdowns off receptions last season. Smith is currently ranked No. 180 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='873154' first='Gabe' last='Spiess'],</strong> DB, 6'2”, 160, St. Thomas Aquinas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spiess is a gritty and confident defense back. The Saints junior finished with 33 total tackles. He has a nose for the football. He played a role in creating multiple turnovers last season with one interception, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He is currently ranked No. 194 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->