The NW's Top Underclassmen- DEFENSE (Ranked #1-35)

A few months back we went position by position, ranking the top underclassmen in the Northwest from the classes of 2025-27. Here we look at the overall list and who projects highest collegiately. Athletes will only be listed on one side of the ball and all offers have been updated. Check it..         1.[player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'] 6-0 175 27' CB West Linn OR OFFERS (7) Oregon, Washington, Oregon St, Arizona St.   One of the top players in the country for the 2027 class and potentially the highest ranked recruit ever to come out of Oregon. As most know Molden has D1 genes, earning unanimous 1st team all TRL honors and All-American accolades as a freshman.    2.[player_tooltip player_id='348147' first='Zaydrius' last='Rainey-Sale'] 6-3 220 25' LB Bethel WA OFFERS (18) Alabama, Washington, Oregon, Florida St, UCLA   The 4* prospect is one of the top players in America regardless of position. He recently de-committed from Washington, opening back up his recruitment after the coaching change. Watch the film and see you one of the most dominant LBs in the country, who averaged 11+ tackles per game with double digit sacks and tackles for loss.    3.[player_tooltip player_id='1095838' first='Jack' last='Brauckmiller'] 6-6 225 27' DE/OLB Canby OR   Brauckmiller's elite size and overall athleticism make him one of the most appealing young recruits to come out of Oregon in some time. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore finishing with 22 tackles and 4 INTs, while potentially playing at the highest level collegiately on either side of the ball. From a recruiting standpoint expect a big off season if he gets out on the camp circuit.    4.[player_tooltip player_id='284217' first='FA' last='Siale'] 6-4 245 26' DE O'Dea WA OFFERS (12) Washington, Oregon, Florida St, Miami, Utah   Siale recently backed up the hype at the All-American Combine in San Antonio, being named the top defensive lineman in attendance by Rivals. He started as a freshman for the Irish and is a 2x all conference D lineman.    5.[player_tooltip player_id='402788' first='David' last='Schwerzel'] 6-4 250 26' DE O'Dea WA OFFERS (7) Michigan, Washington, UCLA Penn St, Miami   Very similar to his teammate Siale, in that they both have god given size and ability and have already been offered by some of the top teams in the country, including national champion Michigan. He too was a standout at the Army All American Combine.    6.[player_tooltip player_id='402789' first='Derek' last='Colman-Brusa'] 6-5 235 26' DE Kennedy Catholic WA OFFERS (5) Washington, Oregon St, Wash St, BYU   Colman-Brusa was dominant as a sophomore, putting up an unreal stat line with 75 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. The size and speed in combination with his numbers will have him listed among the top DEs in the country for the 2026 class.    7.[player_tooltip player_id='402799' first='Wassie' last='Lugolobi'] 6-2 220 26' WLB Eastside Catholic WA OFFERS (4) Washington, Colorado, Nevada, Louisville   Expect Lugolobi to be ranked among the top players in America for his class. The speed at which he plays is on a different level, leading the Crusaders in tackles (68), sacks (5), and tackles for loss (12.5). Look for his recruitment to skyrocket this off season.    8.[player_tooltip player_id='928074' first='Maurice' last='Williams'] 6-2 175 27' DB Yelm WA OFFERS (1) Washington St   You can expect Williams to be ranked one of the top CBs in the country for his class. He earned 2nd team all SSC honors, and for the most part completely locked down his side of the field as a freshman. He projects as a 4* and should garner offers from a majority of the nation's top programs.    9.[player_tooltip player_id='693687' first='David' last='Kuku'] 6-0 165 25' CB Kamiakin WA OFFERS (8) Arizona St, Nebraska, Washington St, Boise St   Washington's 4A Defensive POY. Kuku is a lockdown corner and a legit threat anytime he is in space. The Team Lillard standout will be a double digit D1 offer athlete and one of the most recruited DB's in the West.    10.[player_tooltip player_id='273753' first='Jonathan' last='Epperson Jr']. 6-0 195 25' WLB/S Auburn Riverside WA OFFERS (12) Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah, USC   The offers speak to his game but there are questions. Epperson Jr. projects as more of a WLB but could play numerous other spots on the field. On the year he made 77 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss.    11.[player_tooltip player_id='726148' first='Zamarie' last='Tellez'] 5-9 165 26' ATH/CB Federal Way WA OFFERS (2) Arizona, Nevada   Tellez is the real deal with film that speaks to his freakish ability. Size is a question mark, but he is an unreal talent who can counter most matchups. He racked up 1st team NPSL honors on both sides of the ball as a sophomore.    12.[player_tooltip player_id='726165' first='Jasiah' last='Denmark'] 6-0 170 26' CB Puyallup WA OFFERS (4) Washington, Penn St, Vanderbilt, Nevada   Watch the film and you see a potential 4* recruit who has the necessary attributes to play at the highest level and do well. Look for him have an unreal year on the camp/7v7 circuit and add numerous offers.    13.[player_tooltip player_id='987158' first='Jack' last='Sievers'] 6-5 220 26' DE Archbishop Murphy WA OFFERS (2) UNLV, Nevada   Sievers was a 1st team all league kid as a sophomore, and incredibly fluid coming off the edge. His 6-5 frame and film speak to his early offers. It's going to be a problem for opponents having to contend with him and Smalls.    14.[player_tooltip player_id='527032' first='Mana' last='Tuioti'] 5-11 220 25' LB Sheldon OR OFFERS (8) Arizona, Arizona St, Washington, Cal, Boise St   Just a really good overall athlete. Tuioti earned 1st team all-conference honors on D and went for close to 700 total yards with 6 TDs on O. He doesn't have his brother's size, but he can play.    15.[player_tooltip player_id='769915' first='Noah' last='Tishendorf'] 6-3 240 26' DE Lakeridge OR   As mentioned Tishendorf will be an Oregon 6A POY candidate next season, earning 1st team all TRL honors as a sophomore. He was one of the most impressive players in the state finishing with 56 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. Watch him play the RB spot and it puts his overall athleticism into perspective.    16.[player_tooltip player_id='726164' first='Joey' last='Thomas'] III 6-1 155 26' DB Kennedy Catholic WA OFFERS (6) Cal, Colorado, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, Nevada   Most are familiar with the name coming from a football family. Thomas projects at DB but was equally impressive on the offensive side of the ball, where he caught 23 passes for 433 yards and 6 TDs, averaging 18.8 yards per catch.   17.[player_tooltip player_id='987162' first='Hakeim' last='Smalls'] 6-4 265 26' DL Archbishop Murphy WA OFFERS (1) Nevada    Smalls looks like the real deal, physically dominating opponents as a sophomore on both sides of the football. His size and versatility (wrestling) make him an appealing recruit who will likely add numerous offers this off season.   18.[player_tooltip player_id='723691' first='Luke' last='Webb'] 6-2 230 25' LB Camas WA OFFERS (5) Washington St, UNLV, Montana, Montana St   Webb made the transfer from JSerra in Cali where he had a breakout sophomore season, with 15 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. The 3* comes extremely quick and physical off the edge and will immediately help make the Papermakers a legit 4A title contender next season.         19.[player_tooltip player_id='693685' first='Dre' last='Sio-Fetaui'] 6-2 225 25' LB Lincoln WA OFFERS (2) Arizona, Nevada    The 3* is a big, physical prospect, who continues to up his stock. He earned 1st team all-state honors, averaging 10+ tackles per game with double digit tackles for loss.    20.[player_tooltip player_id='1136301' first='Bryce' last='Smith'] 6-1 160 25' Safety Bellevue WA OFFERS (2) Arizona, E.Washington   One of the fastest rising prospects in the region. Smith played the CB spot but projects as more of a Safety. He was key in the Wolverines recent title run, earning 1st team all KingCo honors with 45 tackles and 3 INTs.    21.[player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal'] 6-4 200 26' OLB/ATH Mountainside OR   One of the top overall athletes on the west coast. Vyhlidal earned 1st team all-league honors on both sides of the football, likely projecting at OLB. On the year he totaled 554 yards and 5 TDs, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Defensively he made 72 tackles, with 2 sacks, and 2 TFL's.    22.[player_tooltip player_id='312496' first='Hudson' last='Hardy'] 6-3 220 25' OLB/RB West Linn OR   Hardy missed most of his junior season but has all of the intangibles to be a big-time recruit. His combination of size & speed will have him listed as one of the most dominant RBs in the NW while likely projecting on D.    23.[player_tooltip player_id='205682' first='Brock' last='Beaner'] 6-1 185 25' S/ATH Anacortes WA OFFERS (5) Air Force, Idaho, E. Washington, Army, Navy   The 1st team all-state, 3* athlete, put up one of the most impressive stat lines anywhere, helping Anacortes to the 2A state title. On the year he had 95 total tackles, 9 sacks, 16 TFL's, 2 INTs, and 5 PBU's. Offensively he was equally ridiculous totaling 1,542 rushing & receiving yards and 22 TDs. He will be a multi offer D1 kid.     24.[player_tooltip player_id='1188123' first='Ty' last='Tautolo'] 6-4 215 27' DE Snohomish WA OFFERS (1) West Virginia   This kid could blow up over the off season, already landing his first P5 offer. Watch the film and you see a kid talented beyond his years. He was a 2nd team all-WESCO selection as a freshman.    25.[player_tooltip player_id='693730' first='Brady' last='Beaner'] 6-0 180 25' ATH/S Anacortes WA OFFERS (5) Air Force, Idaho, E. Washington, Army, Navy   Brady put together one of the most impressive seasons statewide, totaling 103 tackles and 10 PBU's. Much like his brother the 3* athlete was dominant at the 2A level going for 1300+ yards on 112 touches. His play on the camp circuit helped as well earning recognition at the Northwest Showcase (Western Oregon), the region's premier event.     26.[player_tooltip player_id='945853' first='Landen' last='Kahai'] 6-1 175 25' Kennedy Catholic WA OFFERS (1) West Virginia    Kahai has one of the fastest rising stocks in WA. The 1st team NPSL DB was among the state leaders in INTs (5) and PBU's (13), while impressing on the offensive side of the ball and averaging 18.4 yards per carry, with 4 TDs on only 7 rushes.    27.[player_tooltip player_id='285849' first='Oliver' last='Macy'] 6-4 220 25' DE Lake Oswego OR   Macy is one of the quickest DE/OLB's in the region and comes from a super talented family. He was a 2nd team all TRL selection this past season and has the frame to put on some legit size and do well collegiately.    28.[player_tooltip player_id='656961' first='Cody' last='Thumlert'] 6-3 220 25' DE/OLB Eastside Catholic WA OFFERS (1) Montana St   Thumlert just continues to get better and plays at a different speed. Credit to MSU on the recent offer as he put together a phenomenal junior campaign, making 64 tackles, with 7 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.    29.[player_tooltip player_id='693691' first='Nikko' last='Speer'] 6-2 225 25' LB Camas WA   The combination of Speer and Webb is going to be a problem for opponents. The GSHL Defensive POY was off the charts good this past season, making 143 total tackles. His speed and instincts on film will have him listed on multiple D1 recruiting boards.     30.[player_tooltip player_id='937033' first='Cody' last='Mitchell'] 6-5 225 27' DE Crescent Valley OR   The freshman has elite size for his age, proving himself this past season while earning honorable mention all-conference accolades. There isn't a lot known about the youngster yet, other than that the Raiders will need his presence after going 4-24 the last three years.    31.[player_tooltip player_id='286686' first='Zachary' last='Davis'] 6-1 225 25' OLB Central Catholic OR OFFERS (1) Florida A/M   The 2x all conference OLB/DE plays at a different level then most of his peers. Watch the film and you see his combination of speed and physicality stand out. We will see if that translates on the camp circuit over the off season.    32.[player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] 6-2 205 27' OLB Sheldon OR   You will hear a lot about this kid in the years ahead. Chamberlin played varsity ball and did well making 14 tackles. His physicality and speed at such a young age is impressive. He is a potential 1st team all-conference selection next season.    33.[player_tooltip player_id='766200' first='Treyson' last='Eddleman'] 6-1 220 25' LB Lakeridge OR   Eddleman will be an Oregon POY candidate next season, helping to put together one of the best defensive seasons of any team in state history. He earned 1st team all-Pacific honors with some of the best film in the region. The transfer to Lakeridge was a great move on his part.    34.[player_tooltip player_id='709506' first='Deckard' last='Hale'] 6-0 200 27' WLB/Safety Grant OR   Hale has some of the best varsity film among freshman anywhere. He was an honorable mention all PIL selection and played at a speed rarely seen among young athletes. If he continues to grow and progress he will be a big-time recruit.    35.[player_tooltip player_id='726151' first='Dante' last='Saladino'] 6-3 190 26' FS Kennedy Catholic WA   Saladino is ranked the top outfielder in Washington and will project at the D1 level on the football field as well. He earned 1st & 2nd team all-conference honors, while projecting on D. He finished the year with 46 tackles and as one of the state leaders in INTs with 6. Offensively he averaged 15 yards per catch, with 619 total yards and 6 TDs.