Under The Radar 2027 Pass-Rushers On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These under-the-radar pass-rushers got to the quarterback all season long...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2048380"],"_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-69174633d8a61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A promising pass-rusher on the rise in Atlanta, Benoit is a max-effort defender who plays hard until the whistle on every play. He fires off the snap and does a good job of using his quick, violent hands to shed blocks and attack the quarterback. Benoit lived in the backfield this season and had a true "breakout" junior season that could lead to some D1 offers later this winter. This fast-rising defender made an impressive 16 sacks this season which was among the most across the 2027 class in the state. In addition to his giant sack total, Benoit also made 64 tackles and 28 TFLs during his giant 2025 season. He also forced one fumble while making a major impact on special teams. Look for this big-city defender to be added to the next 2027 Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623447"],"_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-69174633d8abf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lean, athletic outside linebacker with his best football ahead of him, Austin is an Atlanta-area defender who was constantly disruptive for the Sandy Creek defense last year. He brings quickness, strong instincts, and knows how to wrap up properly. He's a stout run defender, but Austin proved that he's also one of the top overall pass-rushers on that side of Atlanta. Austin was a dependable defender all year long, getting to the quarterback 11 times during the regular season. Ranked as the No. 9 EDGE defender in the state for his class, Austin also made 57 tackles and 17.5 TFLs. He was one of the top defenders in the region and could see his recruitment really take off in the coming months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2048390"],"_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-69174633d8b0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Atlanta-area defender on the rise who can really get after the quarterback, Hand brings raw athleticism and a long frame that allows him to break away from opposing tackles and chase down the ball-carrier. His talent and potential is easy to see and his game is taking big strides forward. The pass-rushing defender made play after play in the backfield this season, sacking the quarterback nine times while also making 78 tackles and an impressive 25 TFLs. He made multiple sacks in four games and pressured the quarterback 27 more times. He's one of the region's top defenders and is in store for a massive senior season in 2026. Look for Hand to see a new Prep Redzone ranking in the next winter update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2048630"],"_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-69174633d8b53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile Forsyth County linebacker who can do a little bit of everything for the Denmark defense, Ruckert is a natural defender who can make plays in coverage and rush the quarterback. He brings good size and quickness at 6-foot-1 210-pounds with the ability to sneak his way into the backfield and chase down the ball-carrier. One of the top defenders in the region, Ruckert made 68 tackles during the regular season with 15 TFLs and an impressive 8.5 sacks. He showed he's good enough to play at the next level and will be one of the top returning defenders in the country next year as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608274"],"_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-69174633d8b99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small-town defensive end from Hawkinsville coming off a really strong regular season, Solomon plays with a level of explosiveness off the snap and uses his length and quick hands to disengage with opposing linemen and make his way to the ball-carrier. He plays hard, he's strong, and will only get better and better into his senior season next year. He was one of the more productive defenders in the region this season and showed that he's one of the top pass-rushers in the area. Solomon made 66 tackles this fall with 12 TFLs and 6.5 sacks to go along with 23 more quarterback pressures. He's a 2027 EDGE defender on the rise who will be added to the next 2027 Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->