SoCal Next Up 2027 Prospects: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth evaluations of some of the top up and coming 2027 defensive prospects in southern California. </h2>    Davis has three down ability with a wide skillset to be effective as a run stopper or dropping into coverage. 6'1” 205 lbs. he's got a strong athletic build but has room and time to grow/add weight. He's fluid when redirecting and chasing showing he can close on the ball carrier with plus change of direction and short area burst. Does a good job playing square to the LOS and scraping over the top working laterally to the ball. Makes quick decisive reads and reacts to trigger with good angled pursuit and speed. Plays with leverage and finishes through to deliver heavy contact as a tackler. Flashes good ability to engage blockers and then shed to free himself up. Solid zone dropper in coverage that can get in passing lanes and play the ball in the air. Highly ranked 2027 LB in the state and expect to see his recruitment to take off.      Playing for one of the top programs nationally as a sophomore Frankling is a high level DB/nickel corner with an excellent skillset. Shows quick footwork with the ability to mirror inside slot routes. He's got great reactionary quickness and recovery speed to close separation with the ball in the air. Love his ability to bait the QB and then jump into the throwing lane. He's comfortable reading eyes and possesses the awareness to anticipate the throw and break on it. Great ball skills at the catch point showing he can attack the ball and extend to either pick it or knock it down. Aggressive in run support he's not afraid of contact and can break down in space to make an open field tackle. He's a major D1 prospect that will see heavy recruiting attention before long.      Brooks was listed as a rankings riser prior to the season and continued to impress throughout his sophomore year. Plays the centerfield safety position well with great range and instincts. He's smooth his pedal with good pad level allowing him to easily transition and change directions. Can come down in the slot and play man coverage playing aggressively at the LOS with good coverage ability. Plays well with his eyes to read the QB and anticipate the target. Effectively plays the ball breaking hard at the short and intermediate levels and tracking the deep ball while staying over the top. Physical tackler that brings strong contact and is reliable in the open field. Another major D1 prospect that will pop as he gains exposure.      Haggerty is a versatile athlete and natural football player filling the stat sheet on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. Finished with five interceptions and 45 tackles on defense while racking up 700 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns on offense. At 6'1” 170 lbs. he's a savvy athlete with explosive play making abilities on both sides of the ball. Excellent all around game speed, he can accelerate in the short area and has a sustained second gear. Quick change of direction and start/stop speed allow him to burst out of his breaks and close on the ball. Times out his jump well to play the ball, he competes at the high point and wins on contested catches. Plays hard and initiates contact with good leverage and closing speed. Three sport athlete (football/basketball/track) that should see a bump in recruitment this offseason.      Highly active defender that makes plays all over the field from his safety spot. Finished his sophomore year with 70 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, five interceptions, and nine PBU. Possesses excellent coverage instincts and anticipation skills to put himself in position to be a difference maker. Smart and efficient with his footwork and technique, he limits wasted movement and closes space with good angles and speed. He's fluid in the hips and accelerates out of his transition to limit separation and stay in phase to play the ball. Plays fast and physical in run support to step up and fill a lane. Has violent finishing ability as a tackler and plays with an edge to explode through contact. Great ball judgement skills and adjustment ability to locate it and attack it in the air. Ranked inside the top #100 of overall 2027 prospects in the PRZ state rankings.