2027 Rankings Update Defensive Stock Risers

Code PRZWV30 for 30% off your subscription!   The 2024 WV high school football season has completed and now it's time to spotlight the 2027 class with the winter rankings update. Here are the defensive prospects who were previously ranked and had stock-rising seasons.    2027 Martinsburg DB [player_tooltip player_id='1154709' first='Ty' last='Ricketts'] makes a big jump in the rankings after his first year with the Bulldogs. Ricketts earned a starting role for the state champions as a defensive back after previously being ranked as a quarterback and has a bright future at that position. He performed very well as a slot corner and has natural instincts at defensive back that should only continue to allow him to improve. Ricketts plays the ball well in coverage and when defending the run and does a nice job breaking down and space and attacking ball carriers.      [player_tooltip player_id='895942' first='Kyree' last='Brooks'] had a tremendous sophomore campaign for Washington after showing flashes as a freshman and will be taking his new Top 5 ranking to Jefferson for the next two seasons. Brooks totaled 143 tackles, 22 TFLs, 8 sacks, and 5 interceptions for the Patriots, earning the top linebacker ranking in this update. He's a rangy, athletic linebacker, which aided in his high pass coverage production and gives him the ability to drop into deep zones and cover the middle of the field. Brooks can also get downhill to rush the passer and blow up runs in the backfield as a very versatile linebacker. He has a clear D1 future as one of the top prospects in the 2027 class.      2027 Fairmont Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1087022' first='Parker' last='Bigelow'] stepped up sooner than we thought he would, given the Polar Bears' stacked 2024 roster, and was starting by the end of the season. The sophomore totaled 98 tackles, 16 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles this season, which earned him a bump in the rankings to the #3 LB spot in the class. Bigelow is a tough, hard-nosed player with good bloodlines, which bodes well for his future development. He dissects plays well and takes good angles while being a very good between-the-tackles run stopper. Bigelow does a nice job squaring his shoulders and getting behind his pads when tackling, often laying a big hit.      2027 Washington DB [player_tooltip player_id='1161083' first='Phillip' last='Shields'] had a strong showing at our Stock Up Showcase last month and earned himself a jump in the rankings as the #6 defensive back in the class. Shields has receiver potential as well, where he was previously ranked, but he showed real potential as a corner this season for the Patriots. The sophomore shows a willingness to be physical and play the ball in the air which will lead to more future production in coverage. Shields should take another step forward as a junior next season and further show why he's a top DB in this class.      We ranked 2027 Huntington LB [player_tooltip player_id='863631' first='Ilias' last='King'] highly in our last update based on mostly a hunch with limited film, but he turned in a tremendous sophomore season for the Highlanders. King tied as the leading tackler with 116 stops, including 67 solo tackles, which led the team. He's a physical downhill middle linebacker with a good combination of size and athleticism that's placed him among the Top 5 2027 prospects at this juncture. King is a stout, strong athlete who plays the run well between the tackles and can get outside to pursue the ball as well with the capability of dropping into a zone in pass coverage.      No season tape for 2027 Bridgeport LB [player_tooltip player_id='1154891' first='Gabe' last='Martin'], but he showed everyone what we saw on his JV tape as a freshman this season for the state-champion Indians in his first year of varsity. Martin led the team in tackles with 78, including 13.5 for a loss, which speaks volumes to his ability and future, given the amount of talent on that squad. He'll need to continue adding size to increase his ceiling further, but Martin is on the fast track to being one of the top linebackers in this class. Martin is a smart, heady player for his age and has a strong football IQ, which we identified on his freshman tape.      Another 2027 linebacker who produced a strong sophomore season and built on his freshman success was Nitro's [player_tooltip player_id='1128467' first='Braylon' last='Price']. He took a step forward in year two with 92 tackles and 10 TFLs for the Wildcats, doubling his production from his freshman year. Price is another downhill middle linebacker who is stout between the tackles and does a great job of not allowing ball carriers to fall forward. He pursues the ball quickly and can rush the passer from the interior as an underrated athlete. His added size was noticeable on film, and he will continue to take his game to new levels the bigger he gets.

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