Rankings Reboot Shifts the Defensive Trenches

A fresh and full update of the Missouri Class of 2027 rankings was dropped this month. The 'Reboot' completely broke down and built this current form of the list from the ground up position by position, organized using NFL Draft board principles and major Division I level evaluation and projection criteria based on 20+ years experience ‘in the room'. Today we look specifically at hand-in-the-dirt defenders.   *** Use code StopPRZ30 to slash 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***   <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2027-rankings/">Tap here for access to the 2027 Missouri Rankings Reboot</a></h1>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Move at the Top</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='813880' first='Jameson' last='Honey'] | Lindbergh   With Blue Spring South's [player_tooltip player_id='1587367' first='Prince' last='Goldsby'] listed with his more appropriate position of EDGE, that cleared the way for Honey to assume the Number One hand-in-the-dirt defender in the Missouri 2027 Class. Honey, who is lingering just outside the Top 10 overall, has some tweener numbers in terms of size, but is an absolute wrecking ball at the line of scrimmage with an impressive motor. He issued his commitment to Northern Illinois in June. The Huskies are getting a legit football player.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Names Dotting The List</h2>   A pair of transfers in can be found amongst the newcomers. [player_tooltip player_id='2210127' first='Taj' last='Coleman'], the most recent transplant, arrives at Lee's Summit North from Mill Valley (KS) for the 2026 season after impressing in the camp and combine setting during the offseason. Coleman is surprisingly under-recruited and should pull plenty of interest during his final go at the prep level. [player_tooltip player_id='1130998' first='Lonnie' last='Johnson Jr.'] took a winding road to find himself ultimately at Ritenour for this fall after playing 2025 at Althoff Catholic (IL). Johnson is a two-way player with girth and a massive wingspan. He was quite productive on both sides of the ball and likely appears on recruiting boards at both sides as well. Thus far he has interest and offers from programs at multiple divisions from Division I on down. [player_tooltip player_id='2145422' first='Reed' last='Tune'] is a versatile player with size playing currently in the second level for Liberty but likely finds a home with his hand in the dirt at the next level as he builds himself in a collegiate strength and conditioning program. The size-athleticism-growth potential combo is attractive to programs projecting him forward.   2027 Missouri Rankings Reboot New Additions   [player_tooltip player_id='2210127' first='Taj' last='Coleman'] | Lee's Summit North [player_tooltip player_id='2145422' first='Reed' last='Tune'] | Mountain View Liberty [player_tooltip player_id='1130998' first='Lonnie' last='Johnson Jr.'] | Ritenour [player_tooltip player_id='2145396' first='Jahmil' last='Shabazz'] | Raytown South [player_tooltip player_id='2145474' first='Gavin' last='Herbers'] | Timberland [player_tooltip player_id='2145486' first='Kyler' last='Parker'] | Platte County [player_tooltip player_id='2227071' first='Finnwick' last='Still'] | North Kansas City     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rising Talents</h2>   Jefferson City's [player_tooltip player_id='1615290' first='Jordan' last='Fraction'] was the biggest gainer in this position group. Fraction is a tweener physically but plays a high motor brand of football on the interior with considerable big man athletic ability. He currently holds a lower level offer and figures to attract mid-lower level programs with his ability this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='1567627' first='Jonathan' last='Ibeawuchi'] is a strong and physical interior presence that has a solid first step with juice and burst off the ball. Over the offseason, he attracted a handful of Division I offers. His violent and aggressive demeanor ought to stand out even more as the fall tape comes in. [player_tooltip player_id='1324010' first='D'Anton' last='Berry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1324004' first='Khaelen' last='Kwi'] are massive humans in the middle that plug gaps and disrupt offensive flow. Just over the past few days, Kwi issued his commitment to Division II Washburn, while Berry wrapped his arms around Missouri State earlier this summer. Both have solid Division I FCS grades headed into their senior seasons.   2027 Missouri Rankings Reboot Risers   [player_tooltip player_id='1615290' first='Jordan' last='Fraction'] | Jefferson City (+82) [player_tooltip player_id='1567627' first='Jonathan' last='Ibeawuchi'] | Rock Bridge (+63) [player_tooltip player_id='1324010' first='D'Anton' last='Berry'] | Kirkwood (+32) [player_tooltip player_id='1324004' first='Khaelen' last='Kwi'] | Lee's Summit (+22) [player_tooltip player_id='1253716' first='Max' last='Tebben'] | Oak Grove (+18) [player_tooltip player_id='1160675' first='Chase' last='Dixon'] | Fort Zumwalt West (+2) [player_tooltip player_id='1590206' first='Kona' last='Notestine'] | Lee's Summit (+2)     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What To Watch For</h2>   Missouri State might have one of the biggest interior classes in the country with their commitments of [player_tooltip player_id='1324010' first='D'Anton' last='Berry'] from Kirkwood and [player_tooltip player_id='1160675' first='Chase' last='Dixon'] from Fort Zumwalt West. Together, they tip the scales at 630+ pounds and create a formidable wall. Will the Bears bring these big men in on National Signing Day, or will big senior year's amplify their recruiting processes.   [player_tooltip player_id='2210127' first='Taj' last='Coleman'] as mentioned above, is new on the scene at the Missouri prep level. Likely the most slept on prospect in this class at this point, expect a big year in production, which will lead to a big stock jump in next level options.   [player_tooltip player_id='1678957' first='Elijah' last='Davis'] of Fort Zumwalt North has size, motor, lateral athletic ability, fundamentals and physicality. After a productive 2025, Davis still has no options in his pocket. Looking for a relentless senior season out of Davis.   [player_tooltip player_id='1590175' first='DeAbriion' last='Porchia'] of Raytown is good football player that drew his first offer in June from the lower levels and measured in this offseason at a verified 6020 243. Porchia has potential to reach the Division I level.   [player_tooltip player_id='813880' first='Jameson' last='Honey'] has a high grade and received some bites at the line from power conference programs this offseason. Will Honey be disrupting the line of scrimmage in the Mountain West as a Huskie, or will those plans change off another inevitable highly productive effort this fall?     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More on the 2027 Missouri iDL Class</h2>   https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/missouri-d-block-prospects-with-great-upside/   https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-top-ranked-defensive-trench-warriors-of-missouri/        <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2027-rankings/">Tap here for access to the 2027 Missouri Rankings Reboot</a></h1>   *** Use code StopPRZ30 to slash 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/nielstopczynski/status/2084672274720829871 </div></figure>

A fresh and full update of the Missouri Class of 2027 rankings was dropped this month. The 'Reboot' completely broke down and built this current form of the list from the ground up position by position, organized using NFL Draft board principles and major Division I level evaluation and projection criteria based on 20+ years experience ‘in the room'. Today we look specifically at hand-in-the-dirt defenders.