Scouting the MIAA 2027 prospects: Part 3

Prep Redzone takes a look at four Class of 2027 prospects from the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association, aka the MIAA. This is part 3 of an ongoing series over the next few months.    Mason Johnson plays with confidence and trusts what he sees. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, he brings a physical presence in the middle. In zone coverage, he shows good awareness and patience, highlighted by an interception where he gains depth, reads the quarterback's eyes, and finishes the play. Johnson also adds value as a blitzer, lining up over the center and helping collapse the pocket. Against the run, he plays downhill, fills gaps quickly, and meets ball carriers at or near the line of scrimmage.    Johnson consistently diagnoses plays quickly and fills downhill with authority. His ability to recognize screens and close in space shows that he also has range.    I'm looking forward to seeing more clips of him in pass coverage during the offseason.      [player_tooltip player_id='717345' first='Joseph' last='Buchanan III'] is a powerful, versatile defensive lineman who can line up on the edge or kick inside when needed. He finished the 2025 season with 43 total tackles (13 solo), four sacks, and 11 quarterback hurries.   Buchanan wins a lot of his reps on his highlights with strength and effort. Off the edge, he comes off the ball with force, gets into blockers quickly, and uses power to collapse the pocket. There's a play where he drove the quarterback 10-plus yards backwards for a sack. Inside, he shows the same strength, walking linemen back, and finishing plays as a pass rusher or run stopper. Buchannan is comfortable attacking gaps, even fighting through double teams to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage.   Against the run, Buchanan is stout and decisive. He disengages quickly and doesn't stay locked on blocks. I'm impressed with the way he finishes with strong wrap-up tackles at or behind the line. His ability to shed and reset stands out, especially for a player of his size.   Overall, Buchanan is a physical, high-motor defender who brings value at multiple spots along the front. Continuing to add pass-rush counters and bend off the edge will make him even more of an elite player. His strength, versatility, and relentlessness make him a consistent disruptor in the trenches.     Matthew Tees is an undersized but highly disruptive defender who plays with speed, toughness, and a nonstop motor. While he also contributes offensively, it's his defensive film that sets him apart. During the season, he posted 65 total tackles (29 solo), eight tackles for loss, four sacks, 3 QB hurries, one interception, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.   Off the edge, Tees wins with quickness and timing. He's a dangerous blitzer who comes downhill fast, avoids blocks, and closes on quarterbacks in a hurry. He finishes sacks with urgency. Tees' highlights show him often chasing plays down well behind the line of scrimmage.     Against the run, he plays bigger than his size. He diagnoses cutbacks quickly, wraps up nicely, and isn't afraid to go low to finish tackles. His highlights include several stops at or behind the line of scrimmage. He shows strong effort in pursuit and consistently finds his way to the football.   Tees also flashes awareness in coverage. He scans screens, avoids blockers in space, and contributes on pass plays, including an interception on a broken play. His instincts and effort allow him to make plays even when initially blocked.   Yes, Tees is very undersized for the position. However, he is a significant contributor and difference maker on McDonogh's defense. Tees is playing out of position but has made the most out of it and is one of the most productive players on that side of the football for his team.      Colin [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last=''] is a physical, versatile defensive lineman who lines up at both defensive end and defensive tackle. [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last=''] plays with strength and awareness. Against the run, he sets a firm edge, keeps outside leverage, and forces ball carriers back inside. Several of his highlights show him finishing tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. He wraps up nicely and makes it hard for running backs to get around the edge.   As a pass rusher, [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last=''] shows solid hand usage and effort. He fights through contact and keeps linemen off his frame. [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last=''] can win by pass-rushing to the outside with hand-fighting or by counter-rushing inside when tackles overcommit. He stays active through the rep, squeezing lanes and finishing sacks when quarterbacks try to escape.   [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last=''] reacts quickly to missed blocks. He closes space fast and disrupts plays near or behind the line of scrimmage.  [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last='']'s ability to move between edge and interior roles gives defenses flexibility depending on personnel and situation.   [player_tooltip player_id='1256586' first='Wilson' last=''] is a tough, reliable defensive lineman who wins with strength, effort, and awareness. Continuing to refine his rush plan and consistently maintaining leverage will help raise his stock as a recruit.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/in-season-look-at-the-miaa-2027s-part-1/">SCOUTING THE MIAA 2027'S - PART 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/scouting-the-miaa-2027s-part-2/">SCOUTING THE MIAA 2027'S - PART 2</a>

Prep Redzone takes a look at four Class of 2027 prospects from the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association, aka the MIAA. This is part 3 of an ongoing series over the next few months.