Scouting the Top of the Class: Defense

This rankings update featured a fairly large restructuring at the top of the class. So, while we often focus on players ranked a bit lower in the rankings, we also want to promote the players we have ranked close to the front.   In this two-part series, we're scouting the top players in the class of 2027. The class of 2027 is loaded defensively at the top, with 10 of the top 11 players residing on that side of the ball. Which defenders are ranked the highest, and why are their futures so bright? Find out our thoughts on the best rising junior defenders as we scout the top of the 2027 class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 10 2027 Defenders</h2>    Streets rocketed up the top 10 to take over the top spot after a crazy 26.5-sack season for Millbrook. He was unstoppable and to get to that number, a player has to be an elite finisher in addition to simply beating the man in front of him. He has the frame to add more weight, but he's never going to be a guy who plays at 270 off the edge. He already has more than enough strength to hold his own in the running game, so his game looks college-ready.     Hasan is one of my favorite corners I've scouted in a long time. He has length, hips, footwork, and ball skills, making him an excellent man corner prospect. While he doesn't have truly elite speed, he has more than enough to recover and can stay stride-for-stride with receivers on deep routes. He has strong hands and has flashed zone coverage ability as well. His return ability and special teams experience are pluses.     Cypher is an instinctual linebacker who excels at reading keys and putting himself in position to make plays. Whether it's timing a blitz or getting proper depth on his zone coverage drops, Cypher always seems to make both his own job and his teammates' jobs easier simply by using his football I.Q. He's highly athletic and finishes plays when he's in position.     One of the fastest-rising prospects in not only our rankings, but the entire country, Mayfield has picked up nearly 20 offers since January after an excellent sophomore season. He's mastered the art of stripping the ball on a tackle and had multiple instances of forced and recovered fumbles on the season. Despite his size, he's a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker who still has some room to grow as a pass defender.     Griffin hasn't had the loudest spring out there in terms of offers and overall recruiting hype, but he remains one of the best second-level defenders in the entire country. He's a reliable tackler who can play both middle linebacker and outside linebacker. He can move and excelled both as a run defender and in pass coverage last season.     Rogers is a fast-rising prospect who moved from just inside the top 15 to seventh overall in this cycle. His incredible sophomore season (23 sacks) put him on the radar, but his steady work this spring keeps him rising. An offer list that has ballooned since January certainly confirms what we've already seen: He's a lengthy pass-rusher with elite upside.     Kamba has excellent strength, discipline, and pass-rushing upside and that's made him one of the most highly sought-after interior defensive linemen in the entire country. The question here is obvious: how will Kamba adjust to the the increase in competition moving from the 1A high school to college level? From what we've seen, there could be some minor growing pains, but there are too many moments of outright dominance to ignore.     I personally like Galloway's upside most as a twitchy edge rusher, but he has slightly below average length at the position and could end up spending more time at tight end. If he does stick on the defensive side of the ball, he has great pass-rushing upside thanks to a strong first step and good strength at the point of attack.     Crumel could move safety this season, and I'm intrigued by how that will affect both his play on the field and his recruiting stock. He's an instinctual football player who isn't afraid to hit and has good ball skills. Assuming he can hone his ability to fill gaps and succeed as a run defender at safety, he's a high-upside, versatile defender who can be deployed in a variety of sets.     Coming from one of the great football families in the Carolinas, Geathers is a high I.Q., versatile defender with plenty of athletic upside. He can play multiple positions and excels wherever he is on the field. It will be interesting to see how his body develops as that will determine his likeliest college position. That being said, I like taking chances on talented football players with elite athleticism and that description fits Geathers.

This rankings update featured a fairly large restructuring at the top of the class. So, while we often focus on players ranked a bit lower in the rankings, we also want to promote the players we have ranked close to the front.