2027 Rankings Update 4.0: Defensive Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of the month of May, the 2025 high school football offseason is in full swing. With that in mind, we are also wrapping up our latest round of rankings updates with the class of 2027 being the latest to be updated. After covering the top players at each position in the class, I wanted to take some time to cover some players whose rankings climbed in our latest update. With the offensive side of the ball already taken care of, here are some stock risers on the defensive side of the ball in 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":["1610710"],"_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-683761045e971"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1610710' first='Shawn' last='Taylor'] is a player who recently caught my attention at our Stock Up Showcase in Kentucky this past winter. Taylor lines up at linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He has great lateral agility to move sideline to sideline in a hurry and also has the closing speed to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle before they can get going. Shawn has also showed the ability to drop into coverage and make plays against the pass. Taylor doesn't currently hold any offers but he will be a player for college coaches to keep an eye 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":["1595186"],"_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-683761045e9d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1595186' first='Alexander' last='Yutze'] is another linebacker who recently jumped onto my radar. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is a dominant run stopper. Yutze does a great job of reading his keys then flowing over the top to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Yutze finished his sophomore year with a team-high 99 tackles along with three tackles for loss in 11 games. He also came away with one interception this past season. Alexander has received some college interest and I expect his recruitment to continue to heat up heading into this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665346"],"_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-683761045ea1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665346' first='Jesse' last='Clark'] is a player who caught our attention following a strong sophomore season. He lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive against the run. Clark shows the speed to shoot the inside gap to completely avoid opposing offensive linemen. He has also shown the strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier and is a reliable open field tackler once he gets to them. Clark finished this past season with 51 tackles and one tackle for loss in 11 games. He also finished his sophomore year with one sack. Jesse doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player 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":["1665338"],"_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-68376402aab5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another player who caught our attention with an impressive sophomore season is [player_tooltip player_id='1665338' first='Corban' last='Cimala']. Corban lines up at safety where he does a great job of providing run support. He reads the play quickly then comes downhill in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Cimala finished this past season with 72 tackles and seven tackles for loss in 14 games. He also finished his sophomore year with two interceptions and made an impact on offense, leading his team in receiving with 54 catches for 768 yards and four touchdowns while also running the ball 17 times for 146 yards and a touchdown. Corban is definitely a player who college coaches should have their eyes on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284262"],"_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-683764e7702e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final defensive stock riser in the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1284262' first='Luke' last='Vize']. Vize missed last season due to an injury but he has impressed during the camp circuit this offseason. Luke lines up at linebacker where he does a great job of defending the run. He has great lateral movement which allows him to move sideline to sideline with ease and he also takes great angles to the ball carrier, not leaving any room for them to make a move. Vize has also shown the ability to drop into coverage and defend the pass. Luke has received some college interest and I expect a lot of eyes to be on him as he returns to the field this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->