2025 Final Rankings: Defensive Newcomers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth evaluations of the new defensive prospects in the final 2025 PRZ state rankings.</h2>    Versatile skillset with a strong frame that allows him to make plays both in deep coverage or roll down into the box. 6'2” 190 lbs. he's long and has the growth potential to add weight without losing his movement skills and range. Possesses the speed to cover ground and the agility that allows him to react quickly to the ball's movement. Flashes a high football IQ and plus instincts to anticipate where the ball is going and get an early break to close space. Shows good game speed, he flies around to play sideline to sideline and is relentless in pursuit. Excellent in run support, he crashes downhill aggressively to fill the lane and brings heavy contact as a tackler. Uncommitted he holds offers from Cornell, Penn, and Sacramento State.      Gentle is a high caliber athlete that can impact the game in all three phases. Projects as a CB at Cal Poly next season where he shows great natural coverage instincts and ball skills. Flashes good fluidity and agility in his movement and change of direction. He's quick in the hips and can easily transition to stay in phase at all three levels. Good technique and footwork, he's always under control and balanced from his back pedal to his break. Limits wasted movement and never panics in coverage relying on his technique and speed to recover and close separation. Like his ability to make plays in both press man and off coverage. Has a long and lean frame at 6'0” 175 lbs. that he can continue to add weight too without losing his speed and athleticism. Collected four D1 offers before committing to Cal Poly.      Cordano is a natural football player that can play all over the field. Saw time at Safety, Corner, Running back, and Wide Receiver. Plays bigger than his 5'11” 170 lb. frame bringing a physical playing style and strong contact at the POA no matter where he's lined up. Highly instinctual, he anticipates well and is able to quickly process his reads to trigger to the ball with speed. Great ability to plant and drive to accelerate coming out of his transition. He's quick in the short area to change directions and possesses good long speed that he can sustain. Takes good angles in pursuit and can adjust on the fly. Shows he can break down in space and be a reliable one on one open field tackler. Committed to Hawaii over an offer from Sacramento State.      Mulumba is a disruptive defender coming off the edge. At 6'2” 220 lbs. he's quick and explosive on the snap to gain early penetration. A plus athlete that can redirect and pursue the ball with speed, he could easily transition to LB at the college level depending on frame development. Can beat blockers with either speed or power moves. His initial quickness and burst allows him to beat blockers to the spot and get around the edge forcing the OT to open up. Shows he can bull rush or use his hands to shed blockers and collapse the pocket. In the run game, he does a good job containing the edge and maintaining a gap. He keeps his shoulders square and his outside arm free so that he can work laterally down the LOS on perimeter run plays. Committed to San Mateo, one of the JC programs in the state, where he's a high upside prospect with his best football ahead of him.      Mankins was a two-way playmaker for Hughson at TE and DE. At 6'3” 235 lbs. he's got a good skillset that blends his size, speed, and power to be a threat both as a pass rusher and in run defense. Good well-built frame with good weight distribution and natural strength to hold up against bigger offensive linemen while maintaining the speed and agility to beat them around the edge. Attacks blockers with good initial contact, balance, and hand usage to separate and disengage. Establishes positional leverage with a strong understanding of his assignment and where the play is going. Plays with a high motor and good effort to make backside plays and downfield tackles. Originally committed to Air Force but decommitted and will do a prep year at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.