Which Defensive Prospects Have Garnered Attention in Weeks 1-3?

We are starting to gather tape and stats from the early part of the season.  Here is a look at some of the Early Season Defensive Standouts!   DL Maurice Dominick (Champaign Central – 2026)   The undersized defensive lineman has 2 sacks, 10 tackles, and 3 TFL in his first three games of the year.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1732513' first='Easton' last='Ripke'] (Plainfield South – 2027)   The 6'3” 215 pound defensive end has nice physical tools.  He is solid against the run being able to take on the block and still make the tackle by using good angles.  When they run to his side he usually makes the tackle for a short loss or no gain.    DL Dominic Zienkiewicz (Niles Notre Dame – 2026)   This Niles Notre Dame defensive lineman goes 6'3” 250 pounds.  Stout against the run up front.  Gets off blocks with his powerful hands.  Can also hold up against doubles still getting off it as the back comes through to make the stop.    DL John Bukovac (Nazareth Academy – 2028)   The 6'1” 225 pound sophomore is an edge player that can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up.  Gets up field taking good angles to the running back.  Hits really hard and has speed to the ball.   DL Tremayne Moore Jr (Homewood Flossmoor – 2026)   Moore is an undersized defensive tackle at 5'11”, but he is so quick on the interior.  Great use of his hands getting off blocks and to the back.  Can also line up on the end and show some burst after the QB.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1699878' first='Darius' last='Stewart'] (West Aurora – 2027)   The 5'11” linebacker from West Aurora has racked up 20 tackles through the first three weeks of the season.  The 5'11” linebacker brings good athleticism as an OLB that can play in the slot or on the edge.  Like the instincts getting to the ball carrier.   LB Wyatt Brandt (St. Charles North – 2026)   Brandt has been a force in the early going for SCN!  The senior linebacker has been effective racking up 25 tackles including 5 TFL, 3 sacks, and 1 pass break up.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1120470' first='Khalil' last='Roberson'] (Wauconda – 2026)   Through the first three weeks Roberson has 7 tackles, 4 pass break ups, and 2 tackles for loss.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1399953' first='Luke' last='Karras'] (Casey-Westfield – 2026)   The linebacker is excellent at attacking the line of scrimmage knifing his way through making tackles for loss.  Diagnoses plays well with his eyes.  Hits with power.  Overall quality instincts and shuffles to put himself in position to make tackle.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1524501' first='Aeneas' last='Allen'] (Homewood Flossmoor – 2026)   Through three weeks Allen has 25 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass break up, and 1 pass deflection.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='623624' first='Connor' last='Chamberlain'] (North Boone – 2027)   The outside linebacker showed can cover a little on the outside.  Flows well to the ball wrapping up down low.  Good length.  Technically sound player.    LB [player_tooltip player_id='1670138' first='Will' last='Gray'] (West Aurora – 2026)   The West Aurora linebacker has racked up 17 tackles through the first 3 weeks of the season including 14 solo tackles.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1741206' first='Kellen' last='Younie'] (West Aurora – 2026)   This outside linebacker runs well sideline to sideline.  Tackles well in space and has a knack for getting through traffic to make the stop.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1553769' first='Brady' last='Kozlowski'] (Minooka – 2026)   This thick bodied linebacker does a nice job of changing direction.  He hits with knockout type force.  Doesn't give up on plays if they are behind him or on other side.  Effective tackler in space.  Contributes on coverage units.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1359876' first='Tommy' last='Hosler'] (York – 2027)   The York 5'9” linebacker in 9 total quarters played through three games has 28 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.   LB Gavin Farley (Providence Catholic – 2026)   The senior linebacker has racked up 19 tackles, 2 TFL, and 2 sacks in the early part of the season for Providence.   DB Logan Thennes (Prairie Ridge – 2026)   Thennes is a safety that tackles well in space and does a nice job of wrapping up low vs the run and receivers.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1120639' first='Aiden' last='Williams'] (Fenwick – 2026)   Williams is a long and rangy safety that can also play some nickel corner.  Forced a fumble on a hard hit.  Runs very well tracking guys down.  Tackles well in space and is instinctual.   DB Jayden Phillips (Thornton – 2026)   The senior defensive back has 15 tackles, 3 pass break ups, and 0 completed passes against him through three weeks.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1191482' first='Richard' last='Truelove'] (OPRF – 2027)   Truelove has been effective in the early part of the season with a pair of interceptions , 5 pass break ups, and 11 tackles.   DB Joshua Johnson (Rich Township – 2027)   The Rich Township junior corner had an interception that he took back 100 yards for a touchdown vs Thornwood.  Uses his long arms to make plays on the ball.  Very good in coverage.  Capable tackler.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='811647' first='Jake' last='Thies'] (Fenwick – 2027)   One of the better defensive backs in the 2027 class.  Thies has been impactful in the early going with 3 interceptions already along with contributing 325 all purpose yards offensively.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='613744' first='Chase' last='Bradley'] (Cahokia – 2027)   Bradley is a corner that anticipates well on the back end breaking on the ball quickly.  Really like the footwork and back pedal in press coverage.  Comes up in run support with sound tackling.  Gets off blocks to make tackle.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1688291' first='Pierre' last='Ray Jr'] (Richards – 2028)   Ray is a 6'1” 165 pound defensive back that has really nice length.  Made an insane one handed pick going back over the middle.  As a deep safety he also high pointed another interception as a centerfielder.  Impactful punt returner as well.  Very bright future.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1792025' first='Will' last='Bundy'] (Homewood Flossmoor – 2027)   The junior corner has been effective early in the season with 3 pass break ups, 1 interception, and 17 tackles through three weeks.   ATH Kevin Phillips (Galesburg – 2027)   Offensively Phillips is quick with the ball in his hands.  Defensively he is a corner that runs well and is extremely sound with his technique.  Makes plays on the ball.  Very good footwork and reacts quickly to the receiver.

We are starting to gather tape and stats from the early part of the season. Here is a look at some of the Early Season Defensive Standouts!