2029 Defenders Who Make a Good Case To Be Ranked No. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense wins championships, and that is especially the case in The Boot. There are plenty of good defenders, including these five who make a good case for being ranked as the No. 1 player in the state when it comes to the class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2231277"],"_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-6a34be3b392bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2231277' first='Terrius' last='Lemons'] is my favorite defensive player in the class of 2029 in the state of Louisiana because of his ball-hawking ability. While many have tested him and his coverage, many have failed. He continues to show that he is one of the better players in the state when it comes to flipping the field on the defensive side of the ball, as well as getting the ball back into the hands of the offense, which is the best thing a defensive back can do. He will be even better this season, despite finishing the season with five interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2231284"],"_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-6a34be3b3935b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2231284' first='Case' last='Phillips'] isn't the biggest dog in the fight, but he may be the most gifted player in the state of Louisiana despite his smaller frame. Phillips is a takeaway machine and is a player who could finish this season with over five interceptions, as last season he finished with three. Phillips will continue to grow and will continue to polish his footwork, but quarterbacks can't get things twisted; he isn't a guy who is worth testing when it comes to throwing the ball downfield to their wide receiver. There is always a good chance with Phillips in coverage that the ball will be intercepted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2070763"],"_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-6a34be3b393c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2070763' first='Javion' last='Semien'] may be the most talented player all around when it comes to the state of Louisiana and the class of 2029, as he continues to improve with every rep that he takes in both the season and the offseason. Last year, he finished with a total of 88 tackles and is by far one of the better defensive generals on the field when it comes to holding things together. It is quite impressive that a young athlete like Semien is the glue of his team on the defensive side of the ball. I am a huge fan of Semien ahead of this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1636530"],"_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-6a34be3b39432"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1636530' first='Bentlie' last='Burrell'] not only has swag off the field with one of the coolest names in the state, but he also has swag on the field when his defensive teammates need him the most. He was beyond successful last season, and is one of the players who could take the biggest step up not only in production but overall skill and traits. He will be playing linebacker at times, while also having the chance to play all over the defensive side of the ball when he isn't in a linebacker stance. He is one of my favorites ahead of the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2231307"],"_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-6a34be3b39498"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you talk about a freak athlete, make sure you talk about [player_tooltip player_id='2231307' first='Adaryll' last='Thomas']. Thomas is a phenomenal nose guard and is one of the better run-stuffing players in the country. He continues to show up in the biggest ways and is one of the players with the brightest futures, despite already setting the tone in a huge way. I predict that he will finish with a ton of QB pressures and will have nearly double-digit tackles for loss this season, thanks to his inside stuff on the defensive line, to say the least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->