2027 Rankings Update 3.0: Defensive Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we near the end of the month of February, the 2025 high school football offseason has officially begun! With that in mind, we are in the midst of our latest round of rankings updates with the 2027 class being the latest to be posted in the state of Kentucky. After already covering the top players at each position in the class, I wanted to take some time to focus on some players who saw their ranking rise in our latest update. With the offensive side of the ball already being taken care of, here are some notable stock risers in the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1200703"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7b8b3279cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200703' first='Donavon' last='Smith'] is a player who caught my attention with a strong sophomore season. He lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, finishing the year with a team-leading 116 tackles along with four tackles for loss in 11 games. Smith does a great job of reading his keys then exploding downhill to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. He also showed reliability as a blitzer, timing the snap count perfectly to shoot into the backfield untouched. Smith finished this past season with seven sacks. Donavon also recovered two fumbles as a sophomore, returning one of them for a touchdown. Smith doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on heading into his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1200716"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7b991c67da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200716' first='Brayden' last='Holland'] is another 2027 linebacker who had a strong sophomore season. Holland was dominant against the run this past season, finishing the year with a team -high 117 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 11 games. Brayden does a great job of diagnosing the play quickly then flowing to the ball carrier to make the tackle in the open field. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, finishing his sophomore year with one sack. Holland also made an impact on offense this past season, throwing three touchdown passes while also rushing for two scores and catching one touchdown pass. Brayden doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some eyes to be on him heading into this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734299"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7ba50800d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='734299' first='Gavyn' last='Combs'] is coming off a very impressive sophomore season. Combs lines up at defensive tackle where he is very reliable against the run. He has the strength to fight through blocks with ease along with the speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Gavyn finished this past season with 84 tackles and eight tackles for loss in 12 games. He also showed some ability as a pass rusher, finishing the year with two sacks. Combs should definitely be a player to keep an eye on heading into his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1200689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7bb0e802e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable defensive stock riser from the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1200689' first='Dylan' last='Lemaster']. Lemaster lines up at inside linebacker where he does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to make tackles against the run. When the play is away from him, Dylan uses his speed and high motor to run the ball carrier down from the backside. Lemaster finished this past season with 81 tackles and two tackles for loss in 12 games. Dylan doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->