2027 Watchlist to Ranked: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the 2027 defensive prospects that moved from the watchlist to the rankings in the recent update.</h2>    A pure football player that plays downhill and aggressive. At 6'0” 215 lbs. he's got a well-built frame with good natural strength and power as a tackler. Explodes at the contact point to drive through the ball carrier wrapping up to the ground. Can beat blockers by taking them on and shedding or can weave through traffic to avoid contact on his way to the ball. Plays well with his eyes to quickly recognize run/pass and break. Plays square to the LOS with good leverage throughout the play. Good straight line speed to chase in pursuit giving him the ability to make tackles sideline to sideline. Younger brother of top 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='368921' first='Cooper' last='Perry'] who is now at Oregon. Enters the rankings as the third ranked 2027 LB and #42 overall.      Outstanding sophomore campaign for the hybrid DE/OLB out of Basha finishing the season with 56 total tackles, 18 TFL, and six sacks. Possesses a well-balanced frame with length and growth potential at 6'2” 215 lbs. He's an attacking defender that excels as a pass rusher off the edge using good technique and active hands to collapse the pocket and get to the QB. Good ability to absorb contact from a blocker and then disengage to free himself up. Quick to gain penetration he makes a ton of plays at or behind the LOS. Shows he can redirect and work laterally down the LOS to contain the edge and make tackles to the perimeter. Well coached with good technique and a variety of moves to beat blockers. Holds D1 potential and upside landing at #50 overall and the #5 DL prospect in the updated 2027 state rankings.      Versatile defender that can play multiple positions inside the box effectively including the hybrid OLB/Edge spots. Does a lot of things well including being a run stopper, pass rusher, and dropping back into zone coverage. At 6'2” 210 lbs. he's got a plus frame with length and growth potential to add weight/mass as he develops. Possesses good instincts and anticipation to diagnose the play as it develops and then quickly trigger to the ball. Good acceleration in the short area to close space coming out of his break. Had a breakout sophomore season finishing with 67 total tackles and eight TFL on the strong Hamilton defense. He's a high level prospect that should see D1 attention as the recruiting cycle progresses.      High upside prospect that can play both sides of the ball at ILB and RB. 5'11” 215 lbs. he's got a strong compact frame with the ability to add weight. Attacks contact with good leverage and power through the POA. Fights through blockers with the ability to stop and stack while maintaining his gap assignment. Tough to break once he gets his hands on the ball carrier doing a good job wrapping up and being reliable in the open field. Good ability to drop back into coverage, find his threat, and then react to the ball in the air. Very effective blocking from the H back position. Strong bloodlines and is one to watch as he develops.      Voss can play any position on the DL using a combination of size and strength to dominate the LOS. At 6'3” 235 lbs. he's got natural power in his frame and the initial quickness to get out of his stance and make plays behind the line. Does a good job separating from blockers with good extension to prevent them from getting into his body. Shows he can redirect in the short area and also make plays from the backside or downfield with high effort and a good motor. Extremely difficult for opposing offenses to block him one on one with his ability to disengage and locate the ball carrier before the play can develop. Brings heavy contact as a tackler that accelerates through the POA to be a violent finisher.