2025 Rankings Update 4.0: Defensive Stock Risers

As we get closer to the 2024 high school football season, another rankings update period has begun. After covering the top players at each position in the upcoming senior class, I wanted to turn my attention to some players outside the top five at their position who saw their stock rise in the rankings update. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here are some players on the defensive side of the ball who are on the rise in the class of 2025 in the state of Kentucky.    [player_tooltip player_id='1311428' first='Erik' last='Ekens'] is a player who caught our attention with a strong junior year. He is a versatile defensive lineman, showing the ability to play both defensive tackle and end. Ekens is very impressive as a pass rusher, showing the strength to bull rush straight through opposing offensive linemen and the speed to blow by them. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, reading the play and shedding blocks quickly then using his high motor to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle. Ekens is committed to Eastern Illinois where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defensive line unit.     [player_tooltip player_id='373785' first='Dereon' last='Crowe'] is a player who has been on our radar for a while now and has continued to climb up our rankings. As a junior at Owensboro, Crowe stood out at outside linebacker, finishing the year with 64 tackles and nine tackles for loss in 13 games. He does a great job of reading the play and using his speed to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle before they can get going. Crowe also finished this past season with three sacks and contributed on offense, scoring six rushing touchdowns and catching five touchdown passes. Dereon is committed to Illinois State where I can see him becoming a true impact player on the defensive side of the ball.     [player_tooltip player_id='331755' first='Jeremiah' last='Parker'] is another linebacker who has been on our radar for a while now and has continued to climb up our rankings. Parker lines up at inside linebacker where he is dominant against the run. He reads his keys and comes downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier in the hole and make the tackle before they can get going. Parker finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality, not allowing for much extra yardage to be gained after contact. Jeremiah currently holds offers from Tennessee State, Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky State, and Walsh, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber linebacker prospect.     [player_tooltip player_id='735565' first='Braydon' last='Underwood'] is a player who climbed up our rankings following a strong junior year. Underwood lines up at outside linebacker where he is very impressive as a pass rusher. He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to get to the quarterback before opposing offensive tackles have a chance to block him. Braydon has also proven to be reliable against the run, showing the ability to flow sideline to sideline quickly to make tackles in the open field. Underwood currently holds offers from Mount Union and Mount Saint Joseph, and I expect more to come his way as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level.     My final defensive stock riser in the class of 2025 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='985134' first='Jaylen' last='Hayes']. Hayes is coming off a strong junior year and has also been very impressive in the camp circuit this summer. Jaylen lines up mainly at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys quickly then flowing downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle. Hayes led his team with 84 tackles along with two tackles for loss in 12 games last season. He also finished the year with three sacks and two interceptions. Jaylen has also taken reps at defensive end in camps this summer where he could be used some this season. Hayes doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has the talent to play at the next level.

As we get closer to the 2024 high school football season, another rankings update period has begun. After covering the top players at each position in the upcoming senior class, I wanted to turn my attention to some players outside the top five at their position who saw their stock rise in the rankings update. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here are some players on the defensive side of the ball who are on the rise in the class of 2025 in the state of Kentucky.