TN2027 Spring Stock Risers (Defense)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">When the 2025 season ended, we had a lot of unknowns on the defensive side of the ball as to who the top prospects would be. Well I believe the picture has become clearer, especially with these players below that have seen their stocks rise to become highly valued guys on the recruiting scene. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1815536' first='Jayden' last='Agberodiola'] - Rockvale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Murfreesboro area big man has gone from under the radar to one of the top defensive prospects in the state with a lot of that due to his physical presence in the middle of the line. Agberodiola is a big dude, a space eater that moves well for his size while showing flashes of explosive play. College staffs have recognized the upside as the Rockets defensive tackle has landed offers from the likes of Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Vanderbilt and several others. It's hard to find big men that look and play the way Agberodiola does, so it's understandable to see why power programs are in pursuit. Look for several other big time schools to get involved and continue pushing his stock higher and higher.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1648682' first='James' last='Stewart'] - Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If we put together a “most improved” list, Stewart would be on it as he has gone from a fringe D1 guy towards becoming a legit Power Four prospect. The Warriors senior big man showed vast improvement throughout his junior campaign that has now pushed his stock high and made some big time programs take notice. As we head into summer camp season, Stewarts holds offers from the likes of Boston College, Illinois, Maryland, Memphis, South Florida, Tulane and many others. He has already locked in official visits as well with Boston College and Tulane. This Mid-Tennessee product is still waiting for those SEC schools to get involved but regardless, Stewart has seen his stock take-off, positioning himself as one of the best defensive tackle prospects coming out of the TN2027 recruiting class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] - Rockvale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A traditional defensive end that has really grown into his body over the past year, Pauldo has seen his stock go into a major direction with a bevy of Power Four programs in pursuit and several others looking to get involved. Among the big time offers Pauldo has in-hand already are Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. As more and more schools catch wind of this Murfreesboro native and watch his film, the more interest continues to come his way. Pauldo does have more development to go but he has the look and overall size wanted along with the raw athletic tools that will continue forming as he gets older. I foresee his stock rising higher over the summer months but I think it will take-off in a big way after coaches go through his early senior film to see a much more dominating performer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2158607,"width":"337px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-25-2026-6-48-49-PM-crop-1175x772-1774483314.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2158607" style="width:337px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale DL/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] after a spring practice. Taken by Conner Smith.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1310642' first='Antwan' last='Jackson'] - White Station</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jackson sits at the top of the board when it comes to stock risers as this West Tennessee product has gone from a guy seen with big potential towards being an established prospect with some of the best college programs in pursuit. Sporting athleticism with great size and length, Jackson looks the part of a top level guy with upside to become a feared pass rusher on the college stage. His offers list speaks towards that as Jackson has landed opportunities from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida St., Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&amp;M and several others. He has already started to set up official visits, so a commitment may be looming in the near future for one of the best overall prospects from our in-state senior class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1357924' first='Hans' last='Emery Julien'] - Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The power four programs have yet to extend offers to this Canadian native but his stock is still on the rise with more interest coming his way weekly. Emery Julien is a long term, big pay off prospect that creates havoc off the edge with his great initial burst and closing speed towards the ball. He is still growing into his body but you can see the potential for the Red Raiders defender to become a every down college starter one day. So far through his recruitment, Emery Julien has landed offers from Coastal Carolina, Colgate, East Carolina, Kennesaw St., Liberty, Marshall, MTSU, Toledo and Western Ky. Several others are sniffing around and showing interest, so I think his recruitment is far from over with the possibility of bigger schools getting involved at some point in time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2147738,"width":"302px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/hejulien-crop-422x277-1773098809.jpg?w=421" alt="" class="wp-image-2147738" style="width:302px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1357924' first='Hans' last='Emery Julien']. Photo by Baylor Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='906615' first='Shelvy' last='Clark'] - Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a highly productive junior season, Clark has seen his stock take-off to become one of the best defensive prospects in the state with some power programs looking hard at taking his commitment. The Red Devils linebacker is a heat seeking missile that plays with controlled violence and a nose for the ball that translates well to the college game. Schools like Florida St., Memphis, Miss. State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Vanderbilt and others have recognized his upside by extending offers. Clark is still gaining steam on the recruiting trail as I expect several others to get on board soon and continue pushing his stock higher. There is a lot to like about this guy and his future on the next level as a potential multi-year starting inside backer that consistently makes plays on the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'] - Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jennings has been on the recruiting scene for a while now but over these off-season months, the Eagles linebacker has seen his stock go to new levels and position himself as a top inside backer prospect for our TN2027 class. Standing nearly 6'3 225 pounds, Jennings has the look and overall size wanted for the next level and Power Four programs are beginning to become interested. So far in his process, Jennings has landed offers from Colorado St., Coastal Carolina, Liberty, Miami OH, MTSU, Southern Miss and others with his lone P4 opportunity coming from Wake Forest. Several other Power Four programs are lurking around and showing interest. His camp work this summer might dictate if the bigger schools come calling but either way, Jennings has done a nice job of improving and positioning himself to be heavily recruited.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1368155' first='Will' last='Butler'] - Green Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- As more coaches look into this Mid-Tennessee prospect as a potential linebacker on the college stage, the more interest comes towards Butler. The Hawks senior defender is coming off a very strong junior campaign that showed his nose for the football and his ability to run. College coaches are recognizing those skills and upside as Butler has obtained offers thus far from Austin Peay, Charlotte, Mercer, MTSU and Yale with interest coming from many others. If the Hawks senior can continue bulking up while maintaining his athleticism and speed, Power Four programs might start to become interested. His work this summer in camps and his performance throughout his senior year will go a long way towards that interest arriving and pushing his stock to higher levels.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2164787,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/wbutler.webp?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2164787" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='2082939' first='Hill' last='Strong'] -&nbsp; Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last Fall was a coming out season for this Mid-Tennessee safety that put himself on the map as a legit college prospect and maybe even a Power Four guy with continued development. Strong is a hard hitting, ball hawk style safety that runs well while having enough athleticism to become a playmaker on the back end of the secondary. Schools have recognized those abilities as he holds current offers from Austin Peay, Colorado St., Fla Atlantic, Georgia St., Memphis, Mercer, Southern Miss, Tulane and Tulsa. Power Four programs have yet to get involved but I know they are sniffing around and showing interest. His work this summer in camps will go a long way towards those schools getting on board with a long term, potential filled safety that could either work the field or the boundary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1938324' first='Gavin' last='Gregory'] - Lebanon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Gregory has been one of the biggest stock risers throughout the entire TN2027 class but he has yet to break through fully into Power Four, though I think that is coming very soon. This guy is uber talented with upside for either side of the ball, however I like his game best in the secondary as a potential lock down corner or ball hawking safety. So far in his recruitment, Gregory has landed offers from the likes of Arkansas St., Austin Peay, Charlotte, East Carolina, Eastern Ky, Marshall, Memphis, MTSU and Wake Forest. Those won't be the last programs to get on board as I expect some big time schools to offer sooner than later. His stock is just now beginning to take-off, so keep eyes on this Mid-Tennessee product moving forward as a potential major mover inside our upcoming senior rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Other Defensive Stock Risers: </strong>(DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup'] </strong>- Cannon Co., (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1703375' first='Braylon' last='Warren'] </strong>- Collierville, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman'] </strong>- BGA, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707489' first='Dax' last='Cole'] </strong>- Maryville, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2076919' first='Landan' last='Left'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2123295,"width":"193px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/bwarren.jpg?w=615" alt="" class="wp-image-2123295" style="width:193px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->