State Finals: 2025 Defensive Standouts

What prospects made an impact at the State Finals?  We examine them by class including here in State Finals: 2025 Defensive Standouts!   DL [player_tooltip player_id='258001' first='Jason' last='Dowell'] (Althoff - 2025 – Mizzou) The Mizzou commit was a star on the defensive side.  Big and physical defensive end that anchors against the run with his strong frame.  Can also get after the passer including causing intentional grounding on one play late in the first half.  Even contributed on the offensive side blowing up a hole several times for Hill leading to TDs as a lead blocker.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='832146' first='Brock' last='Sperling'] (Chicago Christian - 2025)   Sperling is probably the top prospect on his team.  The 6'1” 235 pound defensive lineman dominated the interior line making it tough for Maroa to get anything going.  Got in the backfield forcing a fumble popping it away from the back.  Had a second one where he embarrassed the offensive lineman with a bull rush getting the sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.  Also did a nice job at left guard offensively as they ran behind him where the senior did a nice job latching onto defenders and moving them back.  Also pulled well in the run game.   DL <a>[player_tooltip player_id='830840' first='Ke'Andre' last='McClendon'] </a>(East St. Louis - 2025) McClendon is a Redzone favorite!  The Lindenwood commit is a great tackler along the defensive front.  So quick off the edge getting in the backfield with his hands.  Physical vs the run while also being able to turn speed to power getting after the quarterback.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='278245' first='Gabe' last='Kaminski'] (Nazareth Academy - 2025 – Stanford)   Kaminski is one of the top seniors in the state.  The Stanford commit brings versatility being able to line up at linebacker along with on the defensive line.  He had a fumble recovery along with getting after the passer multiple times.  Blew up multiple plays in the backfield.  Also caught a 10 yard touchdown as a tight end lining up in the redzone. DL [player_tooltip player_id='1180017' first='Douglas' last='Mateo'] (Montini - 2025) At 6'3” 325 pounds Mateo is a massive human on the interior!  He is the definition of a nose guard with how he takes on blocks up front along with clogging up the run game.  More than just a big body though as he uses his hands well throwing defenders to the side to make stops himself.  Dominant run stuffer had a big 3A state title game!   DL <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1572529' first='Michael' last='Casper'] </a>(DePaul Prep - 2025)   Casper goes 6'2” and 210 pounds.  He had a pair of sacks in the 4A game as he was a force coming off the edge.  Can see him being either a 4-3 end or a 3-4 OLB at the next level.  Good speed and athleticism at his size.  Showed some natural pass rush feel.    DL <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1292131' first='Tommy' last='Ghislandi'] </a>(Loyola - 2025 – Army)   This big defensive end set the tone early against the run.  Great frame as the Army commit used his physicality at the point of attack stuffing the run and forcing the back into other defenders at times.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='831091' first='Drake' last='Mosley'] (Althoff - 2025) One of the top uncommitted defenders in the class Mosley is a prospect we feel more Group of 5 programs should be on.  He is a force against the run flying to the ball and knifing through the front to make plays.  Runs well sideline to sideline and gets through traffic consistently diagnosing plays then attacking.  Productive player with the size and speed to play at the G5 level.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1292232' first='Niko' last='Griggs'] (Chicago Christian - 2025) Griggs is a 6'3” 225 pound linebacker that made several key stops on the defensive side in his team's championship victory.  Flies to the ball with fluidity.  Also made one of the plays of the weekend snatching a catch out of mid air on a Franco Harris Immaculate Reception type play right before half then running it in for a score.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1572547' first='Kaden' last='Becker'] (Mt. Zion - 2025)   Becker is an undersized linebacker that absolutely makes plays every time we saw him this year.  He flies to the ball always taking good angles and is a quality tackler.  Going to be a nice find at the small college level!   LB <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1564036' first='Jet' last='Reese'] </a>(DePaul Prep - 2025)   Reese is a linebacker that has had his arrow pointing up all season.  He is a missile attacking with his closing speed.  That was shown on one QB pressure where he caused an interception on the back end.  Runs so well sideline to sideline along with getting after the passer.   LB <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1572601' first='Gianni' last='Giunta'] </a>(DePaul Prep - 2025)   The DePaul Prep linebacker absolutely swarms to the ball.  Really liked his closing speed on the ball carrier along with getting after the quarterback.  Lived in the backfield!   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1570762' first='Gavin' last='Burt'] (Geneva – 2025) Burt showed some intriguing tools making a few big hits including a key tackle for loss on a 3rd down.  Gets in the backfield and runs well downhill against the run game.   LB <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1292234' first='Matt' last='Mucha'] </a>(Mt. Carmel - 2025) Mucha is a 5'11” 205 pounds is a thumper in the middle of the defense for the Caravan.  Pursues the ball with his speed making plays in the backfield.  In the championship game he netted 8 tackles.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='299571' first='Tristan' last='Pusateri'] (Mt. Carmel - 2025)   This linebacker had a big game making 9 tackles.  He flew to the ball and wrapped up low being a very sound tackler. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1564787' first='Charlie' last='Daly'] (Loyola - 2025 – Army)   Daly was the leading tackler in the game. The Army commit had several big plays including a massive tackle for loss in the third quarter. Speed and pursuit of the ball. Finished with 12 tackles in the game. DB Donovan Robinson (Loyola - 2025 – Washington)   Senior star earned the ultimate respect from York as they didn't try to throw it his way the entire game. The safety is a strong and athletic backend player that is a game changer. The Dukes wanted none of that. They didn't kick it to him on kickoffs or punts either.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='176242' first='Charles' last='Bass'] (East St. Louis - 2025 – Mizzou) Solid outing for Bass in the 6A title game.  He roamed on the back end while paying particularly close attention to Taylor in the SEC matchup.  Mizzou is getting a good one in Bass! DB [player_tooltip player_id='162591' first='Garrett' last='Reese'] (Nazareth Academy - 2025 – Indiana)   The Indiana commit is a defensive back that blew up one play on a blitz showing his speed and instincts.  Also forced a fumble which his teammate recovered.  As a wide out he is good at getting YAC on short routes.   CB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1292071' first='Charleston' last='Coldon'] (Althoff - 2025 – Boston College) Coldon is the star for Althoff that sometimes gets over looked.  He is one of the top corners in the state as a cover man, but the last two weeks we have seen him be a force flying in against the run.  As a wide receiver he had a key catch on 3rd down moving the chains.   DB Vince Irion (Montini - 2025)   <a>Irion is a 6'0” 160 pound safety that was a ball hawk!  He was flying around making plays all game long in the 3A championship.  Great instincts coming up in run support.</a>   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1280429' first='Maxwell' last='Bell'] (Montini - 2025)   Bell closed out his career with an interception in the fourth quarter.  Fluid athlete ran it back for a nice return after he high pointed the pick in the air.   DB/RB <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1572609' first='Nicholas' last='Hathcoat'] </a>(DePaul Prep - 2025)   Hathcoat made plays on both sides of the ball.  He high pointed an interception on the back end early in the game.  Swarms to the ball defensively and the 5'11 195 pound athlete also showed flashes at running back racking up 91 yards on 4 carries.   DB <a>[player_tooltip player_id='830845' first='Le'Javier' last='Payne'] </a>(Mt. Carmel - 2025) Payne is a corner with fluidity on both the back end and in the return game.  He had a touchdown on a kickoff return putting his defender in a spin cycle.  Was called on a couple pass interference calls.  He had a big pick to end the half in the endzone along with breaking up a pass breaking on the ball.

What prospects made an impact at the State Finals? We examine them by class including here in State Finals: 2025 Defensive Standouts!