2025 Best Available: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the top 2025 defensive prospects that are uncommitted.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Active defender with a well-rounded skillset and good size at 6'4” 220 lbs. Can impact the game in a variety of ways with his ability to fill the run, drop back into coverage, and rush the passer. Has good length in his frame and is a plus athlete that can work laterally and play the field sideline to sideline. He's got good anticipation skills to diagnose plays as they are developing and trigger to the ball, makes a ton of plays at or behind the LOS. Good strength at the POA both when taking on blockers or tackling a ball carrier bringing his feet, hips, and momentum through contact. He's aggressive in pursuit and can track the ball carrier through traffic while also maintaining gap responsibility. Finished the 2024 season with 70 total tackles including 52 solo with nine TFL. Early offer from Nebraska during his junior year and has picked up NAU and Portland State since then.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DinosDrossos/status/1863804709615681983 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Outstanding all-around football player that made plays on both sides of the ball for Mica Mountain. He projects on the DL for the college level at 6'4” 245 lbs. that can be a disruptive force from the edge or interior depending on development. He's an impressive athlete at his size with great movement skills and short area burst to close. Good strength in both his hands and lower body to disengage from blockers while maintaining speed and leverage. Flashes good balance and body control to be powerful at the contact point staying inside his framework to avoid overextension. Plays hard and aggressive and was a key piece to Mica Mountain's run to the state championship. Filled the stat sheet as a senior with 64 total tackles, 23.5 TFL, and 16 sacks on defense adding 32 receptions, 463 yards, and 14 touchdowns on offense. Offered by ASU, New Mexico State, NAU, UTEP, and Western Illinois. Ranked the #7 DL prospect and #49 overall in the 2025 class.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Dynamic edge defender at 6'4” 230 lbs. Explodes out of his stance with quickness and power to establish early positional leverage or collapse the pocket. Shows he can move in the short area to redirect to the ball and close ground quickly in tight spaces. Demonstrates excellent hand technique and placement, using them effectively to maintain separation from blockers and then shed. Possesses a strong anchor to hold his ground and maintain a gap lined up on the edge or in the interior. Good ability to contain the edge by keeping the outside arm free and his shoulders square to funnel plays inside. Offered by Eastern Washington and Idaho State last summer and more recently picked up Black Hills State.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Ridley is a defensive playmaker that displays a solid combination of size and skill. At 6'3” 220 lbs. he plays with an edge and has good versatility to be effective playing the hybrid OLB/DE spot well. He's constantly attacking, playing fast and physical through the whistle with a high motor. He's quick and reactive as he reads run/pass with good change of direction and burst to close to chase the ball. Excels as a pass rusher converts speed to power bending off the edge to generate pressure on the quarterback. Good ability to fight off contact and work through blockers to disengage and locate the ball carrier. Relentless in pursuit. In eight games at Horizon this season he racked up 40 tackles, 11 TFL, and eight sacks. Four offers to date including Utah State, Western New Mexico, Western Colorado, Black Hills State.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaydenRidleyAZ/status/1876712410951655552 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Price has continued to add good weight to his frame and has a variety of effective moves to beat blockers coming off the edge. At 6'2” 235 lbs. he combines his length, power, and athleticism to contain the edge in the run game and rush the passer. He's quick off the ball to gain penetration and positional leverage on the snap. A plus athlete that can move laterally and use his speed to redirect in the short area or chase from the backside/downfield. Does a good job mixing up speed and power moves to free himself up. Shows he can maintain control dipping off the edge, spinning, or long arming blockers to separate. Ranked inside the top 10 DL prospects and #72 overall in the updated PRZ state rankings with offers from Cornell, Wabash, and Lake Forest.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/demicoprice_/status/1858975081806082537 </div></figure>