What 2027 Defenders Made Impacts at State Finals?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look forward to our next rankings updates after the conclusion of the state championship game we wanted to highlight some of the prospects in the 2027 class that impressed in the 5A – 8A State Championship Games on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1334133' first='Brayden' last='Parks'] (Brother Rice – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parks was an absolute monster in the 7A state championship game.&nbsp; He racked up 6 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 passes batted down, and plenty of consistent pressure on the pocket vs both the run as well as the pass.&nbsp; His combination of athleticism and power make him a special prospect.&nbsp; The athleticism was shown as he was like a big man on the hard wood swatting passes down.&nbsp; Blew up the interior of the offensive line all game long while stuffing the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Lamar&nbsp;Winfield (Providence Catholic – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winfield jumped off the field in their game against Wheaton St. Francis.&nbsp; The 6'2” 245 pound defensive end was a force.&nbsp; Lived in the backfield in the first half including a pair of TFLs on a screen and crashing down the line on a running back.&nbsp; Also powered his way to the QB for a sack.&nbsp; Really like the combination of power and speed along with athleticism he presents.&nbsp; Productive player that has upside.&nbsp; In the 5A title game he had 7 tackles, 1 sack, and 3.5 TFL.&nbsp; Currently checks in at #78 overall in 2027, but after a strong showing expect him to move up in our next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='498273' first='Phillip' last='White'] (East St. Louis – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White is among the best linebackers in the junior class.&nbsp; He led his team in tackles taking great angles and showing off his instincts.&nbsp; Had a big TFL crashing the through to make a play in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1598821' first='Roman' last='Igwebuike'] (Mt. Carmel – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Igwebuike was the player of the game in the 8A state championship.&nbsp; They only credited him for 7 tackles, but I definitely think there was more.&nbsp; The new age linebacker runs so well sideline to sideline tracking down rushers and receivers.&nbsp; Can also go north getting after the quarterback as he put pressure on the signal caller multiple times.&nbsp; He had an interception playing coverage in the middle of the field where he snatched smoothly and ran it back for a nice return.&nbsp; The top linebacker in the state looked the part of a P4+ linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='811647' first='Jake' last='Thies'] (Fenwick – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't know what more can be said about Thies' state championship performance.&nbsp; It was absolutely incredible what he did.&nbsp; On the defensive side he led them in tackles with 19 along with the game clinching interception.&nbsp; Rock solid tackler who is technically sound bringing down backs in space tackling them low.&nbsp; Good roaming along with in one on one coverage.&nbsp; Offensively he was a force as a running back with 100 yards on the ground along with a pair of scores including housing a 74 yard touchdown where he ran away from the fast East St. Louis defenders.&nbsp; Also caught three balls for 61 yards.&nbsp; Projects best defensively at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Cam&nbsp;Loghmani (Oswego – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loghmani is a linebacker at 5'11” 200 pounds that probably will end up projecting best as a safety at the next level.&nbsp; He had a few plays where he flew to the ball carrier making massive tackles in the 8A title game laying the hammer with everything he had.&nbsp; In the contest he had 12 tackles and 2 TFL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1345007' first='Josh' last='Morgan'] (Fenwick – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan is a silky smooth defensive back who has the size, speed, and fluidness to be a big time corner in the junior class.&nbsp; Showed that off early in their 6A championship win when he drove on a ball on third down to get a PBU.&nbsp; Like his upside overall as a cover corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='476341' first='Tavares' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='1335208' first='Isaac' last='Saldana'], and Brandon Rogers Jr. (Mt. Carmel – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mt. Carmel defensive backs held the Oswego passing attack to 10/29 for just 108 yards total.&nbsp; Harrington is the highest ranked and ceiling prospect.&nbsp; Such a fluid corner that has all the tools.&nbsp; Saldana made plays in coverage including a stop on 4^th and goal in the endzone in one on one coverage.&nbsp; Tackles well in space.&nbsp; Rogers is a playmaker that had a breakout junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->