Canada 2027 Rankings: Defensive Prospects

<p>There were a lot of prospects that ultimately did not have enough film or did not have any at all, limiting our 2027 rankings to just 50 prospects. In addition, there are several Canadian prospects in the 2027 class who have already moved to the USA and are covered by their respective prepredzone states. I did my best to get the class years right, and the rankings are supposed to go off player grad years in Canada. For some players who only list one, I used my best discretion to place them in the right class. When these rankings are eventually updated, I will make more adjustments if necessary. This article will take a look at the top defensive-ranked players in the updated rankings and some notes I had on each player. This article will exclude players who may play defense but are instead listed as “Athletes” in the rankings.</p>   <p>Check out Canada 2027 Rankings <a href="https://prepredzone.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1371560&action=edit">HERE</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kalubi Lukuni, out of Paul Dwyer, is a physical and violent defensive tackle prospect who was the MVP of the JV team last fall but has been a consistent top performer on Team Ontario and the OSFL. He is really quick off the ball and plays with good leverage and strong initial hand placement. He is the most refined pass rusher of this group showing on tape really good bend and the ability to generate a lot of strength around the edge of IOL and as he fights through double teams. Between his natural strength and the bend and athleticism he shows in his movements, Kalubi Lukuni is one of the top defensive linemen in all of Canada, regardless of his class. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gravel will be with Limoilou this season and will need to continue to get bigger if he stays on the interior of the defensive line. Gravel played a lot of Nose Tackle last season, but his body is more of an EDGE-type player at 6'2 225. Gravel is quick off the ball and has an impressive cross-chop move, which he often utilizes to split the C/G and get the center's hands off his body. Gravel is small and twitchy for a defensive tackle, but some traits you see can either transition to edge or help him continue to win on the inside as he gets bigger. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Not many prospects are as explosive off the LOS as Armstrong. At 6' 250 he has a compact and strong build and shows on tape upfield burst to shoot gaps well and make plays in the backfield. Armstrong showcases quick, violent hands and does a great job playing with leverage and changing his pad level to disrupt blockers. Armstrong doesn't quite have the ideal measurables for the DT position but has time to grow and what you see on tape is a strong physical player. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kidd, the top LB in the class, has excellent measurables; at 6'2 220, Kidd already has the size to play Mike LB at the next level. He shows on tape he can do a little bit of everything. Dropping into coverage, his length is hard to throw around and demonstrates the ability to read what is happening and make plays on the ball. Coming downhill, Kidd can be used as a blitzer, containing the edge, or read plays from the middle and close. He needs to continue to develop as an athlete for the next level, refining his movement skills and overall athleticism as he develops. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Another Football North product, Harburn-Weldon really fits the mold of an OLB/Edge Rusher and is often in a two-point stand playing as far out as 9-tech. Harburn-Weldon wins a lot with speed, he does a good job of changing his pad level to mix things up rushing the pass or just winning against OTs upfield to contain the edge. He is a two-way player who spends some time as an H-Back/TE offensively but his best film comes from that DE/OLB position. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Simms, who plays for Oshawa in the OSFL and Team Ontario, is a really big DT prospect who eats a lot of blocks and shows solid movement skills for his size. Simms will need to continue refining his body, adding more strength and getting a little leaner. He plays with a good motor, consistently uses his hands well, and showcases a solid initial punch at the point of attack. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Latinovic is an LB/DL prospect, either against the run moving downhill or as a pass rusher. Latinovic shows good burst and overall athleticism, finishes tackles consistently, and shows on tape he can effectively tackle in space. He has the burst and bend to be a quality pass rusher off the edge, although you do not see him from that position on tape too often. </p>

There were a lot of prospects that ultimately did not have enough film or did not have any at all, limiting our 2027 rankings to just 50 prospects. In addition, there are several Canadian prospects in the 2027 class who have already moved to the USA and are covered by their respective prepredzone states. I did my best to get the class years right, and the rankings are supposed to go off player grad years in Canada. For some players who only list one, I used my best discretion to place them in the right class. When these rankings are eventually updated, I will make more adjustments if necessary. This article will take a look at the top defensive-ranked players in the updated rankings and some notes I had on each player. This article will exclude players who may play defense but are instead listed as “Athletes” in the rankings.