2025's Rising into the Top 50: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the 2025 defensive prospects rising into the top 50 overall in the updated PRZ state rankings. </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Wells is one of the fastest rising 2025 recruits in the state this offseason pulling in five D1 offers and committing to Nevada. The 6'3” 210 lb. LB is a plus athlete with a knack to quickly locate and chase the ball carrier. He's able to trigger quickly to the ball anticipating and making decisive run/pass reads as the play is developing. Range allows him to cover ground and close space using his speed and short-area burst to accelerate to the ball and through contact at the POA. Brings heavy thump as a tackler that accelerates his hips and feet at the contact point to violently finish ball carriers to the ground. Has three down potential and room to add weight to his frame without sacrificing his athleticism and speed when he gets to the college level.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">5 Offers: Nevada, Idaho, NAU, UC Davis, UTEP</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/codywellss/status/1725969656639537400 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile skillset that impacts the game on both sides of the ball at WR and DB. At 6'1” 175 lbs. he's an instinctual player that possesses high level ball skills, body control, and natural playmaking ability. His track speed transitions well to the football field flashing good acceleration out of his breaks and a sustained second gear. At DB, he's smooth with his movement and uses his change of direction to quickly transition and stay in phase at all three levels. He plays hard and aggressive on every snap bringing strong contact as a tackler or stalk blocker on offense. Great ability to create positional leverage and out compete opponents at the catch point. He extends and goes up to make tough contested catches outside his framework. Collected six total offers before committing to San Diego State in late June.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">6 Offers: Central Michigan, San Diego State, Idaho, Kent State, Marshall, Wisconsin-River Falls</p>   <p></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChaseShumate7/status/1723462515152257485 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Washington has seen his recruitment on the rise this spring leading to a big jump in the updated 2025 state rankings but is still underrecruited. At 6'2” 235 lbs. he's a disruptive edge defender that makes a ton of plays behind the LOS, finished the 2023 season with 31 TFL, 8 sacks, and 93 total tackles. An excellent athlete with great initial quickness and explosion off the LOS to beat blockers off the edge before they can get in position. He's active with his hands with good placement to shed blocks and attack the ball carrier. Even when blockers can get hands on him, he's relentless in fighting through the contact to free himself up and pursue. Flashes good short area quickness and speed to redirect and chase to the perimeter and downfield. Transferred to Desert Edge out of Independence to play out his senior season where he'll be a problem for opposing offenses to gameplan for. Holds five D1 offers to date with the potential to add more.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">5 Offers: Army, Air Force, Cornell, Navy, Utah Tech</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JerryWashin414/status/1736626054440390763 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Browder is a standout in the Chandler defense and led the team in tackles per game as a junior totaling 68 on the year. High level athlete that can cover the whole field and make plays sideline to sideline using his speed and change of direction. Really accelerates to the ball with aggressive angles to cut off the ball carrier. He's under control and efficient with his movement throughout his reads and when breaking on the ball. Possesses a high football IQ and good awareness to process his reads and put himself position to be a playmaker. He can effectively operate in open space, breaking down and delivering powerful contact through the POA. Fun player to watch who consistently makes impactful plays across the field. Committed to NAU over his other FCS offer from Idaho.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">2 Offers: NAU, Idaho</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AidanBrowder3/status/1724477908360798261 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Dahlene has continued to show great year over year improvement throughout his HS career while developing his frame now at 6'2” 215 lbs. He's able to quickly diagnose plays to read and react as they progress. As a run stopper, he plays downhill flying up to fill gaps with his shoulders square and good leverage/pad level at the contact point. Also knows how to drop into coverage and read the QB's eyes, he's able to step into throwing lanes and make a play on the ball. He runs well in pursuit to chase and has the lateral agility to redirect in the short area closing space quickly. He's an aggressive tackler that is tough/physical bringing strong contact and finishing ability to every play. Beats blockers with both his combination of strength and speed. Racked up over 100 tackles as a junior that kicked off his rising recruitment this spring. Holds four FCS offers to date.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">4 Offers: Idaho, Montana State, Utah Tech, Eastern Washington</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Adrian2x2x/status/1727437168640200889 </div></figure>