2027 Rankings Update 3.0: Defensive New Additions

<!-- 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 along with some stock risers in the class, I wanted to take some time to focus on some players who jumped into our rankings for the first time in our latest update. With the offensive side of the ball already taken care of, here are some notable defensive new additions in our latest rankings update for the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1594843"],"_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-67c0cde060c5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1594843' first='Myles' last='Howze'] worked his way into the starting strong safety role for Trinity this past season and was very impressive. He proved to be very reliable in coverage, showing the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Howze finished his sophomore year with five interceptions in 13 games. He also showed the ability to fill the lane and provide support against the run, finishing the season with 29 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Myles is a player who college coaches should have their eyes 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":["1602049"],"_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-67c0cf943b0f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1602049' first='Charlie' last='Higdon'] is a player who caught my attention with a strong sophomore season. He lined up at middle linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, finishing the year with 63 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in 12 games. Higdon does a great job of exploding downhill out of his stance in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. He also showed the ability to time his blitzes perfectly and get to the quarterback, finishing this past season with 5.5 sacks. Charlie should be a player to pay close attention to heading into his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617389"],"_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-67c0cf943b17c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1617389' first='Harrison' last='Phillips'] is another 2027 linebacker who impressed this past season. Phillips lines up at inside linebacker where he is dominant against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then using his strength and speed to fight through blocks and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Harrison finished his sophomore year with 96 tackles and five tackles for loss in 15 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the season with five sacks and one interception. Harrison will be a player to continue to keep an eye on over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["929666"],"_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-67c0d6ef86563"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable defensive new addition in our latest rankings updated for the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='929666' first='Christopher' last='Reed Jr']. Reed lined up at corner this past season where he proved to be very reliable in man coverage. He did a great job of opening up and running with receivers to mirror their routes then reacting with perfect timing when the ball was thrown his way to make a play. Reed finished his sophomore year with five pass breakups and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in 12 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the run, finishing the season with 29 tackles. Christopher will be a player to watch as he continues to develop over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->