2027 Rankings: OC Defensive Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Disclaimer: This list does not include Mater Dei players. There will be a story about the class of 2027 Mater Dei players coming soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197207"],"_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":"Terry is a physical safety who is aggressive in man coverage and equally effective as a cover 2 zone safety as well.rnrnHe has the versatility to play in the box against teams that run heavier personnel groups. Terry is a strong tackler for a freshman and has the frame to add muscle.rnrnTerry holds five offers including Washington and Louisville.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9619f9de2c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KhalilTerry01/status/1750917566703567220?s=20","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/KhalilTerry01/status/1750917566703567220?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197211"],"_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":"Leilua led Servite in tackles last season as a freshman and earned All-Trinity League honors which is insanely impressive.rnrnHe has explosive short-area speed as a linebacker and reads offenses at an advanced level. A lot of young linebackers just surrender the stalemate when facing a double team, but Leilua fights to split the duo and still make the play.rnrnLike all freshmen, he needs to have a nice offseason in the weight room, but he has the tools to be a County Player of the Year candidate in a year or two.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9619f9dec3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IsaiahLeilua/status/1745222893045514465?s=20","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/IsaiahLeilua/status/1745222893045514465?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IsaiahLeilua/status/1764005870663577640?s=20","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/IsaiahLeilua/status/1764005870663577640?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197214"],"_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":"Epps is a big guy who played safety for Tustin last season but likely projects better as a linebacker at the next level.rnrnHe is a big hitter who reads offenses well and has the athleticism to make absurd plays.rnrnEpps has drawn interest and offers from major schools including Georgia, Oregon and USC.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9619f9df3c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TavenEpps/status/1750631019974414612?s=20","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/TavenEpps/status/1750631019974414612?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197271"],"_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":"Buena Park often uses Johnson as a free safety in single-high coverage and it's easy to see why: he has elite closing speed to the ball.rnrnHe flies up the field to stop the run and tackles at the level which forces fumbles. Most of his best plays on film are him flying into the box to stop the outside run.rnrnThere is not a ton of film of him in pass coverage, but he covers a lot of the field and had a pick-six. He plays with a ton of passion and will only get better after more time in the weight room.rnrnJohnson has an offer from Arkansas State.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9619f9dfb0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JeronJohnsonjr/status/1696713641754874259?s=20","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/JeronJohnsonjr/status/1696713641754874259?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["668740"],"_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":"I saw Tustin four times in person last season and kept a close eye on Williams.rnrnEverybody praises his ability to plug up holes up front and stop the run which is impressive, but he also is an impressive athlete for his size. He is quick enough to get into the backfield when twisting and is quick off the ball.rnrnBig schools like Washington have offered Williams and his upside is off the charts.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e963ee77cc7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/King_MiahW22/status/1752515763905417570?s=20","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/King_MiahW22/status/1752515763905417570?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->