2027 Rankings Update- Defensive Stock Risers Climbing Our List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've released our new 2027 Rankings Update!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that, we're checking out some of the prospects who rose up our lists after their dominant seasons this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're watching some of our defensive stock risers, so let's dive in and see who landed where. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["646862"],"_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-69666b0fd4028"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='646862' first='Jovon' last='Pulliam'] is a talented member of Hoover's defensive front who has risen to become our #26 overall player and #6 DL in the state after his dominant year last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Pulliam is an exciting DL everyone should look out for moving forward. He's fast, strong, and plays with intense effort every single snap, leading to a ton of great plays against the pass.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I love watching Pulliam with his hands in the dirt. He explodes off the snap, has a terrific blend of speed and power, and consistently embarrasses offensive tackles to get to the quarterback and create stops. I'm excited to keep watching Pulliam; he's been an exciting player to watch this season."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pulliam had a terrific year, recording 91 tackles (16 for loss), 11 sacks, and 6 PBUs on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pulliam had a really impressive year last fall, breaking out and making tons of huge plays on a talented Hoover defense. If you haven't checked out his tape before, take a look below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16801547/68bf46b3311bcde4fa3beac8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6971133a302df"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1660602"],"_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-69666b0fd4092"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1660602' first='Avrian' last='Pauley'] is another talented DL who's risen on our list, climbing up to become our #29 prospect and #7 DL in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>At 6'6 260, Pauley has terrific size and athleticism on the defensive line he uses to dominate the line of scrimmage almost every snap. He's quick, has great length, and plays with impressive leverage, consistently putting OL on their heels to create stops for little or no gain.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm really impressed with how well Pauley defends the run- he's physical at the point of attack, gets a ton of push on the line of scrimmage, and completely takes away rushing lanes, helping his defense come up with tons of stops upfront.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pauley is a talented defender who has started generating significant P4 interest in the last few months. He should be on everyone's radar going into next season after how he performed last fall. If you weren't able to watch him, be sure to check out his tape below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20864239/691a0d7fa716d2aed3c22aa2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6971133a303b0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662978"],"_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-69666b0fd40d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1662978' first='Isaac' last='McNeil'] is a seriously talented defender from Vigor who's now our #35 prospect and #5 EDGE in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>McNeil is explosive off the edge- he's highly athletic, plays with great speed, leverage, and bend, and can cause tons of problems for offenses as a pass rusher. McNeil flies off the snap, has violent hands, and has the power and speed to work around OTs and get to the quarterback, constantly making an impact in the backfield.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>McNeil is just as good at defending the run. He plays with tons of effort, is great in pursuit, and has a great motor he uses to fight off multiple blockers to get to the ball carrier.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNeil's recruitment has exploded in the last year, and his play over the last two seasons is a large reason why. He's a P4 guy with even more room to develop/improve. We all need to watch out for him next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19530077/677c0c34e67c0ae59394afaa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6971133a30457"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631233"],"_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-69666b0fd4137"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1631233' first='DJ' last='Waluyn'] is a talented S from Hoover who has climbed up to become our #46 overall player and #7 DB in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Waluyn is a talented safety that offenses have to look out for every down. Waluyn is quick, plays with a ton of speed and instincts, and can make huge plays on the ball in coverage. He's terrific at tracking and getting his hands on passes, frequently causing pass breakups and hauling in interceptions.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Against the run, Waluyn is quick to get downhill, is excellent in pursuit, and frequently hunts down the ball carrier to create stops by the line of scrimmage and in the open field.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waluyn has seen his recruitment pick up a lot this past year, with Vanderbilt and other top programs taking interest. Make sure you watch some of his film from this past year; he's a talented player with a huge year ahead next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16935205/68d9e40e9205bad6cb06f5d8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6971133a304ec"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610187"],"_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-69666b0fd417d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1610187' first='Marquis' last='Evans'] is a dominant EDGE/DE from Minor who's now our #16 player and #3 EDGE in the state after this update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>“Evans is a dominant run-stopping DE capable of making huge stops up front. He's terrific at using his size, strength, and quickness to beat OL and get to the ball carrier, constantly coming up with huge plays in the backfield nearly every snap.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Evans is terrific in pursuit. He doesn't quit on plays and will work across the entire length of the field if it means he can come up with stops for his defense. It's impressive watching Evans' tackling- he does a great job wrapping up and can deal out some devastating hits with how strong he is.</em>“</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout 2025, Evans picked up a ton of interest from top-tier programs at the next level. I won't be surprised to see more of that this year. He's a really talented player who's put together great tape. Be sure to check him out below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21073784/68c883923a197426b6e6adc9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6971133a30592"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->