2025 Rankings Risers: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth analysis of the 2025 defensive prospects rising up the PRZ state rankings.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'4” 255 lbs. he's got great size, length, and frame for the DL with the athleticism and movement skills to play either interior or DE depending on how he develops. Fast off the ball he's got good initial quickness out of his stance to gain early penetration. Extremely disruptive, he's got a great nose for the football to make plays at or behind the LOS. Active hand usage with proper placement to maintain separation and then disengage from contact. Aggressive tackler that is tough to break once he gets his hands on the ball carrier. Offered by San Diego State and Black Hills State thus far.</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/Nickharperr_/status/1830660719224004922 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Plays DE well for West Point but has the size, length, and ability to transition well to a hybrid OLB/edge rusher as he develops. 6'3” 210 lbs. with a lean frame and tons of growth potential. Good combination of strength and speed to beat blockers off the edge on the snap and redirect to the ball. Quick to locate the ball and react with good angled pursuit. Racks up pressures and sacks by gaining quick penetration and collapsing the pocket to force the QB to escape. Offered by Wabash, Lake Forest, and Cornell thus far but his best football is ahead of him with raw potential and size to build on.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Finally saw the recruiting attention he deserves this summer pulling in four offers including Cornell, San Diego, Minot State, and Colorado Mines. He's a high-level instinctual cover guy that has great footwork and technique throughout the play. Stays in-phase at all three levels by smoothly changing directions and accelerating out of his transition to recover and close space. Plus eye discipline to recognize routes and adapt. Effective in both press and off coverage. Strong form tackler after the catch and in run support, breaks down in space and wraps up to the ground. Expect more D1 programs to come through this season.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Despite holding two FCS offers, Arol is still one of the more underrecruited defensive prospects in the state given his size and ability at 6'4” 230 lbs. Explosive first step with the lateral quickness and agility to redirect and close space in the short area. Does a great job containing the edge by keeping his positional leverage and keeping his shoulders square to force everything to the inside. High motor guy that pursues hard to chase down backside and downfield plays. has been on the rise this summer with offers from Eastern Washington and Idaho State but deserves to see more D1 programs come through now in his senior year.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Polk is a shutdown corner with savvy athleticism and playmaking ability. 6'0” 180 lbs. he's got a strong build with length. Flashes good all around game speed, can accelerate out of his break at the short/intermediate levels and run vertically to cover deep. Patient with his footwork to limit wasted movement but possesses great reactionary quickness and burst to break on the ball. Plays through hands with confident ball skills at the catch point. Committed to Brown in early August over offers from Valparaiso and Cornell.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is still flying under the recruiting radar and would be a steal for the college that lands him. 6'1” 170 lbs. he's smooth in his backpedal with the quick feet and transitional speed to match receiver's movement. Plus ball skills, he shows he can compete for the ball at the high point with good timing and leaping ability. Tracks the ball well through the air, especially in deep coverage. Uses his hands well to reroute receivers and throw them off balance at the LOS and disrupt their line. Tracks the hip and is able to run the route with the receiver to be in position to make a play. Initially offered by Utah State back in February and added Arizona Christian this summer but deserves to see a bump in his senior season.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Vincent is an active defender that can play multiple spots with his size and athleticism at 6'3” 220 lbs. He's a natural bender that flashes the lateral agility to work around blockers avoiding contact and the short area speed to close space on the ball carrier. Plays with good leverage and pad level out of his stance and at the contact point. Drives his feet and accelerates through to bring heavy contact at the POA. High football IQ to execute his assignment and diagnose run/pass. Off to a strong start to the 2024 season with 12 total tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 blocked punt for a touchdown in his first two games. Sioux Falls and Idaho are his first two offers.</p>