2025 Rankings Risers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the top 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":["406669"],"_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":"Impressive two-way lineman but has established himself as one of the premier interior DL prospects in the region and quickly becoming a national recruit. At 6'6” 300 lbs. he possesses an ideal frame with a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He's continued to show great year over year improvement/development in his technique. He flashes great initial quickness off the LOS to gain positional leverage and beat blockers out of their stance. A natural bender that has body control and the short area speed to redirect and pursue the ball. Strong at the POA, he's got good contact balance with the ability to overpower opponents or anchor down to neutralize a blocker and hold a gap. Holds high level interior pass rush ability. Committed to Washington prior to their staff moving to Alabama when he reopened his recruiting and now holds 18 offers.rnrn18 Offers: Washington, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Cal, NC State, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, SMU, Ole Miss, Oregon, Sac State, San Diego State, USC, Utah, Washington State, Miami","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f177ed4a23a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/josiah_sharma/status/1746628262456140092","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/josiah_sharma/status/1746628262456140092 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406738"],"_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 6'1” 175 lbs. Holmes has great natural coverage ability from both the outside and in the slot. He's a gifted athlete that runs well clocking at 10.93 100 meter. He's got good route recognition skills and is fluid with his movement to stay in phase at all three levels. Like his recovery speed and short area acceleration to close space with the ball in the air. Shows good ability in both press and off coverage while demonstrating a good understanding of his cushion and when to transition out. He's well-coached with clean footwork and good eye discipline playing for one of the top programs in the country. Plus ball skills and open field tackling ability. Recruiting has been steady since his freshman year holding 11 D1 offers.rnrn11 Offers: Boise State, Liberty, Temple, James Madison, Colorado State, UNC-Charlotte, Akron, Connecticut, Louisville, Campbell, Georgetown","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f177ed4a2ae"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jacob_holmes29/status/1725930556825993630","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/jacob_holmes29/status/1725930556825993630 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["282721"],"_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":"Jones is an attacking defender with the ability to be a three down LB. At 6'1” 220 lbs. he's got a strong well-built frame with plus athleticism. He's an aggressive run filler while also showing he can drop back and make plays in coverage. Great instincts to read and react, he's quick to recognize run/pass and trigger to the ball. He flies up to attack ball carriers while limiting wasted movement to the ball. Can beat blockers in a variety of ways but always uses his hands well to keep blockers off of him and away from his body. Has the lateral agility and speed to play sideline to sideline. Brings heavy contact as a tackler and finishes opponents to the ground. Racked up over 150 tackles and nine TFL with two picks during the 2023 season. Committed to Cal in December over 20 other offers from some of the top programs in the nation.rnrn21 Offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Cal Poly, California, Campbell, Charlotte, Colorado State, Connecticut, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Georgia, Hawaii, Houston, Houston Baptist, Indiana, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, UNLV, UTEP, Western Kentucky","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f177ed4a313"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/carterjones07/status/1731422150232596800","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/carterjones07/status/1731422150232596800 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["282731"],"_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":"Had the chance to watch several of his games this year where he dominated on both sides of the ball and made some unbelievable plays in big moments. At 6'4” 230 lbs. he flashes great athleticism at both TE and DE. He explodes off the ball with a quick first step to disrupt plays as they are developing. He shows high level awareness and ability to read run/pass to put himself in position to make plays. Powerful at the contact point, he plays with leverage and his natural strength allows him to control blockers and then disengage on his way to the ball. He's got great natural movement skills and range to chase and close space on the ball carrier. He's pure football player that can take over a game and is a problem for opposing teams to gameplan for on both sides of the ball. One of the more under recruited players in northern California but has the size and ability to pop off at any moment.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f177ed4a36f"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RyanLew67386919/status/1732061335834550424","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/RyanLew67386919/status/1732061335834550424 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406649"],"_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":"Knoos is a two-time Maxpreps All-American, three-time All-State selection, and league MVP of the Marmonte league. At 6'0” 220 lbs. he's an active defender that plays a fast and physical brand of football from his MLB spot. He's a violent finisher at the POA exploding through contact with leverage and leg drive to deliver a blow. He plays well with his eyes and anticipates where the ball is going to get an early break and close space. Makes a ton of plays at or behind the LOS. He's relentless in pursuit, smart with his attack angles, and uses his speed well to makes plays all over the field. Does a good job keeping his shoulders square to the line and flashes good technique and hand usage to shed and defeat blockers. Finished the 2023 season with 137 total tackles, 20 TFL, and six sacks. He's a high academic prospect that holds eight offers to date.rnrn8 Offers: Cornell, Fordham, Columbia, Dartmouth, Princeton, Louisville, Washington State, UNLV","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f177ed4a3cb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/christianknoos/status/1726343086836690951","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/christianknoos/status/1726343086836690951 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->