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<p>We recently released the first full update of our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2029-north-carolina-high-school-football-rankings/">2029 rankings</a>, and we more than doubled the number of players in the rankings. We love getting to add so many newcomers, but mathematically, it does somewhat limit the amount of stock-risers we can have. Still, 11 previously-ranked players moved up in the rankings. Here, we're evaluating the defensive stock-risers, the players on the defensive side of the ball who rose in the rankings.</p>
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<p><em>Editor's Note: If you want to better familiarize yourself with this class, check out my "<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-things-to-know-about-the-2029-class-winter/">3 Things to Know About the 2029 Class</a>" piece for a bird's-eye view of the freshmen in the state. We also broke down the six <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2029-offensive-stock-risers-winter/">offensive stock-risers</a> last week.</em></p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2029 Defensive Stock-Risers</h2>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Baker was the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-update-january/">biggest riser in our winter rankings update</a>, moving from just inside the Top 25 all the way up to 14th. He's a playmaker on both sides of the ball, and that's evidenced by the game-changing plays he made as a slot corner and how Northwest Cabarrus used him on offense. He's physical and athletic, a guy you want the offense targeting if you're a defensive coordinator, and a guy you want to have the ball with the game on the line on offense.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Butler has speed, get-off, length, and bend around the edge. The only question for us is how much time he'll devote to football, given that he's also a standout on the baseball diamond. He was among the state's freshman leaders in sacks, and we love what we've seen from him so far, as evidenced by his impressive top-5 ranking.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">We ranked Cannady early, and he only got better during Wilson Prep's state championship run, with 13 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries after the midway point in the season. He lined up all over the defensive line, even out wide, even though we think he'll ultimately settle into an interior role as he adds more weight.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Byers is one of those freakish athletes who inspires an "I'm not sure where he's going to line up, but I'm pretty sure he's going to make an impact" reaction. Already 6'2", he returned kicks, played in the box, caught 11 passes, and lined up as the deep man in single-high looks. He can dunk, is a standout track athlete, and can hit. His upside is impressive, and he already has the early production to prove that he's an effective player and not simply a good athlete.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">I love hard numbers and data, but there's just something about avarsity-ready freshman linebacker that's hard to quantify. Nkembeng has "it." His sideline-to-sideline speed, especially against the run, was impressive last season, and it's unsurprising that he racked up 58 tackles while playing both inside and outside. He flashed as a blitzer, and we think there's some pass-coverage upside here, as well.</p>
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<p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2029 rankings before we release our updated 2029 rankings next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em></p>
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We recently released the first full update of our 2029 rankings, and we more than doubled the number of players in the rankings. We love getting to add so many newcomers, but mathematically, it does somewhat limit the amount of stock-risers we can have. Still, 11 previously-ranked players moved up in the rankings. Here, we're evaluating the defensive stock-risers, the players on the defensive side of the ball who rose in the rankings.
Editor's Note: If you want to better familiarize yourself with this class, check out my "3 Things to Know About the 2029 Class" piece for a bird's-eye view of the freshmen in the state. We also broke down the six offensive stock-risers last week.
Baker was the biggest riser in our winter rankings update, moving from just inside the Top 25 all the way up to 14th. He's a playmaker on both sides of the ball, and that's evidenced by the game-changing plays he made as a slot corner and how Northwest Cabarrus used him on offense. He's physical and athletic, a guy you want the offense targeting if you're a defensive coordinator, and a guy you want to have the ball with the game on the line on offense.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Butler has speed, get-off, length, and bend around the edge. The only question for us is how much time he'll devote to football, given that he's also a standout on the baseball diamond. He was among the state's freshman leaders…
We ranked Cannady early, and he only got better during Wilson Prep's state championship run, with 13 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries after the midway point in the season. He lined up all over the defensive line, even out wide, even though we think he'll ultimately settle into an interior role as he adds more weight.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Byers is one of those freakish athletes who inspires an "I'm not sure where he's going to line up, but I'm pretty sure he's going to make an impact" reaction. Already 6'2", he returned kicks, played in the box, caught…
I love hard numbers and data, but there's just something about avarsity-ready freshman linebacker that's hard to quantify. Nkembeng has "it." His sideline-to-sideline speed, especially against the run, was impressive last season, and it's unsurprising that he racked up 58…
There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2029 rankings before we release our updated 2029 rankings next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.
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