2027 Rankings Update 4.0: EDGE

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"5926","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682b969b4f521"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we move closer to the heat of summer, the 2025 high school football offseason is in full swing. With that in mind, we have begun a new round of rankings updates. The most recent class to be updated is the incoming junior class of 2027. After officially releasing these rankings updates, I will now be breaking them down by position. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, I have now turned my attention to the defensive side of the ball. After already covering the defensive line, here are our top edge defenders 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":["1610711"],"_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-682b969b50e68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1610711' first='Sebastian' last='Blue'] climbed up our rankings following a strong sophomore season. Blue is a very impressive pass rusher off the edge, timing the snap count perfectly then using his speed to burst into the backfield before the opposing offensive tackle has a chance to block him. He does a great job of finishing once he gets to the quarterback, finishing this past season with seven sacks in 14 games. Blue has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing his sophomore year with 21 tackles and two tackles for loss. Sebastian currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Appalachian State, and Southern Mississippi, and I expect more to come his way over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871920"],"_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-682b969b50ecb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='871920' first='Austyn' last='Lawless'] has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a sophomore. Lawless is a dominant against the run, showing the ability to read the play quickly then use his speed 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. Lawless finished his sophomore season with 100 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also finished this past season with 10 sacks and recovered three fumbles, returning one of them for a touchdown. Austyn doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have their eyes 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":["1610655"],"_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-682b969b50f14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry'] is coming off a very productive sophomore season. He is impressive against the run, using his speed to burst out of his stance to get to the ball carrier before they can get going. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contact, not allowing for any extra yards to be gained. Sean finished this past season with 74 tackles and 21 tackles for loss in 12 games. He has also shown the ability to cause disruption as a pass rusher, finishing his sophomore year with nine sacks. Hurry doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1200572"],"_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-682b969b50f5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200572' first='DJ' last='Hightower'] has been on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past season. He is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to diagnose the play quickly then use his impressive lateral movement and speed to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a good open field tackler, finishing this past season with 25 tackles and three tackles for loss in 12 games. He also came away with one interception as a sophomore and made an impact on offense at tight end, leading his team in receiving with 10 receptions for 244 yards and three touchdowns. DJ should be an intriguing prospect to watch heading into his junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1375201"],"_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-682b969b50fa4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five edge defenders in the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1375201' first='Korey' last='Tutt Jr.'] Tutt is a very impressive pass rusher off the edge. He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles. Tutt has also shown the bend to dip under opposing tackles off the edge to avoid being blocked. He finished this past season with three sacks in 12 games. Tutt has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing his sophomore year with 20 tackles and three tackles for loss. Korey should be a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->