2025 Final Rankings: Defensive Risers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth analysis of the defensive risers in the final rankings update for the 2025 class.</h2>    Liles moves up 15 overall spots to #85 overall. At 6'2” 220 lbs. he's an attacking and violent defender that can play all three downs with his abilities as a run stopper and dropping back into coverage. Plays hard and fast with a high motor to make plays all over the field. Good game speed to diagnose the play and trigger to the ball. He can accelerate in the short area and shows the agility to react to movement and redirect. Was one of the leading tacklers in the state with 151 total tackles, 16 TFL, 5.5 sacks, two picks, and eight PBU. Committed to Black Hills State and still has good upside to develop at the college level.      Stallworth was a four year varsity starter for Yuma Catholic and led the state in tackles as a senior with 201 including 117 solo, 18 TFL, and 10 sacks. The 6'0” 185 lb. linebacker still has room to grow into his frame and add mass without sacrificing his athleticism and movement skills. Highly instinctual with good anticipation he's got a great nose for the football to play the whole field. Aggressive at the POA, he's a violent tackler that explodes at the contact point to finish ball carriers to the ground. Shows good speed and ability to drop back into coverage while reading the QB's eyes to locate his threat and break on the ball. Committed to New Mexico.      Gingg moved up 47 overall spots in the final 2025 state rankings update. Used his versatile skillset and athleticism to be a two-way playmaker for Verrado. 6'3” 180 lbs. he's got a good frame with length and growth potential. Runs well with both long speed and short area burst. Strong natural coverage instincts and reactionary quickness to make plays in press or off coverage. Can stay in phase to all three levels of the field showing plus route recognition ability and ball skills. Strong at the catch point, he attacks the ball in the air with good ball judgement and timing. Committed to University of San Diego his size and skillset checks a lot of boxes to make an impact at the D1 level.      Massive jump in the rankings for Kimling moving up over 80 overall spots to just outside the top 100. A lot to like about his skillset that blends his size, speed, playmaking ability in both coverage and run support. Possesses the high football IQ colleges look for at safety with a great ability to process his reads and react with anticipation. Flashes great range and ability to cover a lot of ground as the play the develops or the ball is in the air. In coverage, he is quick to recover and close space on the ball while playing through the hands at the catch point. Comes down aggressively in run support and brings heavy contact. He's calculated with his movement to be efficient and takes good angles to the ball. Committed to NAU.      Hopphaus was the leader of the strong Desert Edge defense and named the 5A Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 136 total tackles, 24 TFL, and five sacks. At 6'0” 215 lbs. he's an extremely active defender that plays fast and physical to impact the game in a variety of ways. Flashes plus athleticism and speed to be equally effective as a run filler or dropping back into coverage. Relentless in pursuit, he's got great closing speed and finishing ability at the contact point. He's patient with his reads and footwork to limit wasted movement but drives out of his break with speed and acceleration. Great ability to diagnose the play as it develops to make a ton of plays at or behind the LOS. Committed to Black Hills State.      Mayse made a big jump in the rankings after a strong senior year performance. The 6'4” 230 lb. DE is a versatile possesses a good combination of size, speed, and power. Possesses a strong and well-built frame for the D1 level and could play DE or OLB when he lands at NAU depending on development and need. Extremely disruptive to opposing offenses both in the run game and as a pass rusher. He's quick off the ball to gain immediate penetration closing running lanes and collapsing the pocket. Flashes good hand usage to separate and disengage from blockers. Mixes up his moves well to be effective as a speed or power rusher. Committed to NAU over offers from Fort Lewis, Western New Mexico, Black Hills State, and Gettysburg.