2027 Rankings New Additions: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evaluating the new defensive additions to the 2027 PRZ state player rankings.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Steig is a strong hybrid LB that combines his size, range, and versatility to impact the game in a variety of ways. 6'2” 205 lbs. he's got good length in his frame with the growth potential to add mass going forward. Like his positional versatility, can line up inside, outside, over the slot, or walk up on the edge. He's a plus athlete with good speed and short area burst to cover ground in pursuit. Also shows good bend, dip, and pad level working off the edge as a blitzer. Excels as a run stopper that fills gaps quickly and aggressively with good angles. He's able to navigate traffic and slip blockers on his way to the ball carrier. Good upside as an edge blitzer, he times pressures well and makes a ton of plays at or behind the LOS finishing with 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks during the 2025 season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/stiegcasen4/status/1994183433199739286 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Reese is a sideline to sideline playmaker in the Chandler defense with the skillset to play any position in the secondary. 6'0” 180 lbs. he possesses many key traits colleges look for in a safety prospect. He's got great game speed and range covering ground quickly to impact the game in run support and in coverage. Fluid movement skills he transitions smoothly when changing directions with quick hip turn and fast feet. Shows he can plant and drive to accelerate downhill or across the field with good burst to close. He's a ball hawk with high level play recognition skills to diagnose route concepts and anticipate ball location. Attacks contact and is a reliable one on one open field tackler that breaks down in space and wraps up to finish. Totaled 89 tackles (39 solo), 2 interceptions, and 6 PBU's in the 2025 season. He's a D1 prospect who should see a bump in recruitment as he showcases his ability.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AustReese/status/2000387811955150928 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Impressive DB prospect with a well-rounded skillset that can transition to multiple positions at the college level but projects as a safety. 6'0” 160 lbs. he's got a lean frame with good length to add weight/strength as he develops. Shows natural coverage ability roaming the deep third with good range but can also come down as an edge of box defender to cover the slot in man or operate as a force guy in run support. Plus transitional speed, showing he can flip his hips and accelerate out of his turn with good leg drive. Strong ball skills, he competes for the ball in the air while timing out his break/jump to disrupt receivers at the catch point. Plays much bigger than his frame as a tackler, he's violent at the POA and drives through contact. One to keep an eye on over the next several years.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tavion7Johnson/status/2013112071689318499 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzalez finished top 10 in the 2028 class for tackles with 113 total (50 solo) demonstrating his high level production and range. Carries more of a frame for a safety but the attacking mindset and nose for the football of a LB. He's an instinctual defender with good instincts, anticipation, and trigger speed to the ball. Shows great processing ability and eye discipline diagnosing and reacting to his reads before the play can develop. His anticipation allows him to beat blockers to the spot and put himself in position to make a play. Good strength at his size but understands leverage and pad level to fight through contact and shed at the POA. Coverage savvy, he sees and feels route concepts with good awareness of drop spacing and depth. As a tackler, he's tough to break once he gets his hands on the ball carrier wrapping up and accelerating his feet upon contact. An impact player in the Centennial defense that flashes on film and in live game action.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kraus is a throwback LB that anchors the middle of the defense with physicality, instincts, and toughness. 6'0” 210 lbs. he's got a good frame for the MLB position that is strong and well-built. Downhill and attacking style of play, filling run gaps with urgency and looking to meet ball carriers at the LOS. Love his physical toughness, he doesn't give up ground on initial contact, brings heavy thump, is a violent finisher to the ground. Demonstrates good stack and shed ability when taking on blockers with square shoulders and strong hands. Shows good run instincts reading his keys quickly and fitting downhill without hesitation. Flashes functional coverage ability but is a run first defender. Racked up 112 total tackles (57 solo) and 14 tackles for loss as a sophomore.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaxKraus2027/status/1997093646311870802 </div></figure>