2027 Rankings: Defensive Newcomers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the defensive new additions to the PRZ 2027 state rankings.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hadnot debuts in the rankings after leading the 2027 class in interceptions with eight while adding 56 total tackles. At 6'0” 170 lbs. he plays the center field safety position well where he can use his range and good eyes to anticipate throws and get an early break on the ball. He shows plus instincts and efficient angles in coverage to close space and put himself in good positioning to play the ball at the catch point. Strong ball skills, he's able to time out his jump and out compete opponents to win at the high point. One to watch as he develops and progresses over the next several years.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Simmons is a strong cover corner that shows a good ability to match up and win one on one. A versatile athlete with good fluidity in his movement playing both sides of the ball at WR and DB, also plays basketball. Possesses quick feet and good hip flexibility to match lateral movement and transition out of his back pedal to turn and run. Demonstrates he can play both press and off coverage effectively but like his ability and hand usage to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and disrupt their timing/line. Plus reactionary quickness and ball skills to close throwing lanes quickly and attack the ball in the air. Good potential as he gains varsity experience.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Hanna led all 2027 LB's in the state with a monster statistical season going for 145 tackles, 56 solo, 17 TFL, and six sacks. Plays bigger than his 5'10” frame with strong recognition skills to quickly diagnose run/pass and read/react. In the run game, he's able to anticipate the play and fill the gap with a quick trigger downhill. Does a good job taking on and then shedding contact to free himself up. Flashes a great ability to disrupt plays before they develop at or behind the LOS. Shows he can work laterally and scrap down the LOS inside out to make tackles outside the box and to the perimeter. He's a competitor that plays hard with effort and toughness in pursuit and as a tackler.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas possesses good length in his frame at 6'0” 155 lbs. with the ability in coverage to stay in-phase at all three levels. Strong route recognition skills to stay attached to the hip and run the route with the receiver. Smooth in his back pedal, he's patient and efficient with his steps to limit wasted movement. Shows good timing knowing when his cushion is broken and when to flip his hips to transition out. Flashes good recovery speed to close separation especially to the deep third of the field. Uses his hands well to create positional leverage and put himself between the ball and receiver. Does a good job playing through the hands aggressively to break up passes. High effort player that finishes the play and can make touchdown saving tackles from the backside.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Tiah is an active defender with good positional versatility to line up in the secondary or in the box. Equally effective in run support as he is in coverage he plays with a downhill and attacking style. Good frame with length at 6'0” 180 lbs. and growth potential to add weight as he develops. He accelerates quickly in the short area with a strong burst to close on the ball. Great awareness to locate the football and break. Brings strong contact as a tackler driving through the POA to wrap up and finish ball carriers to the ground. Plus ball skills, he shows plus coordination and body control to adjust and attack the ball in the air. Good all-around game speed and playmaking ability. Voted First Team All Region 5A Metro finished the season with 60 tackles, 7.5 TFL, five force fumbles and two interceptions. Transferred from Fairfax to Cesar Chavez to play out his junior year.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/elias_tiah/status/1856862529110110417 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Defensive Newcomers to Note:</h2>