Stock Risers Update: Defensive Players

No position group made more noise in the latest rankings update than the defensive prospects. These guys didn't just move up a few spots—they shot up the board. Several defenders climbed 100+ spots, forcing their way into the conversation after impressive offseasons filled with strong camp showings, physical development, better film, and increased exposure.   The tape doesn't lie. These prospects are playing faster, stronger, and with more confidence, and their rankings are starting to reflect it. Whether it's an edge rusher creating havoc off the snap, a linebacker flying sideline-to-sideline, or a defensive back locking down his assignment, these defenders have made major statements.   The stock is up, the arrow is pointing higher, and these are defensive prospects you better know before the season gets rolling.    [player_tooltip player_id='2169831' first='Andre' last='Grier'] has made the biggest jump of any prospect I've covered in this rankings update, and it's easy to see why. Grier has quickly established himself as a legitimate college prospect at boundary corner, where his physicality, length, and ability to compete on the outside really stand out. His rise hasn't gone unnoticed either—ECU took notice and pulled the trigger with an offer, adding even more momentum to a rapidly rising recruitment. Grier's stock has exploded this offseason, and if he carries that momentum into the fall, he could be in line for another major jump.     [player_tooltip player_id='2206354' first='Zoean' last='McNeil'] is a physical freak, and that immediately jumps off the film. He has an impressive combination of size, speed, length, and overall athleticism that separates him from a lot of prospects in his class. McNeil moves extremely well for his frame, closes ground in a hurry, and brings the type of physical tools that translate to multiple roles on defense. He simply pops on film. The more you watch, the harder he becomes to ignore. His jump in the rankings is well deserved, and with continued production this fall, McNeil has the traits to keep climbing.     [player_tooltip player_id='2206348' first='Jerome' last='Newman'] has made one of the biggest moves among the defensive prospects, jumping all the way into the Top 25 at EDGE. At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, the Statesville senior brings an intriguing combination of length, athleticism, and versatility. Newman can get after the quarterback off the edge, but he's far from a one-dimensional prospect. He also makes an impact offensively, showing the movement skills and overall athletic ability that make him such an interesting projection at the next level. Long, explosive, and versatile, Newman has put himself firmly on the radar and still has room to climb.     [player_tooltip player_id='2177963' first='Zack' last='Albert'] is one of those prospects whose versatility and athleticism jump off the film. The Topsail senior plays on both sides of the ball, but I see linebacker as his future at the next level. I had a chance to watch Albert during 7v7 this summer, and his coverage ability immediately stood out. He showed he could match up with just about anyone lined up in front of him, whether it was a receiver, tight end, or running back. That type of coverage ability from the linebacker position is extremely valuable in today's game. He can run, change direction, and play comfortably in space, giving him the tools to develop into a legitimate three-down linebacker at the college level. Albert's stock is rising, and his versatility gives him a chance to keep climbing.     [player_tooltip player_id='2204816' first='Javion' last='Hopper'] already has something on his résumé that immediately grabs your attention—starting experience on a 5A state championship team. Hopper brings valuable versatility to the secondary with the ability to line up both inside and outside, giving Crest a defender who can handle multiple assignments. What really stands out on film is his willingness to tackle. Hopper made several impressive open-field stops, showing good closing speed, discipline, and toughness when isolated in space. He's not just a coverage guy—he's a complete defensive back who will come downhill and finish plays. Championship experience, versatility, and physicality make Hopper a defensive prospect whose stock is heading in the right direction.     [player_tooltip player_id='2106753' first='Michael' last='Rodriguez'] brings the type of length and range you want to see in a modern defensive back. The 2027 Marvin Ridge prospect has a long frame that allows him to cover ground quickly, close throwing windows, and create problems at the catch point. His range really stands out on film, as he has the ability to patrol space and make plays outside of his immediate area. Rodriguez has the physical tools and coverage upside to match up with bigger receivers on the perimeter while also providing versatility on the back end. Long, rangy, and athletic, Rodriguez has the traits college programs look for in the secondary, making him another defensive prospect whose stock continues to rise.     [player_tooltip player_id='2158985' first='Trashawn' last='Manson'] is a two-way playmaker for Louisburg who brings plenty of athleticism to both sides of the football, but I believe his highest ceiling at the next level is in the secondary. His experience at wide receiver translates directly to defensive back, giving him a natural understanding of routes, leverage, and how receivers attack coverage. Manson has the movement skills and ball skills to develop into a legitimate college defensive back, while his offensive versatility speaks to his overall athletic ability. The more you evaluate Manson, the more his upside on defense stands out, and he has a chance to continue pushing his name up recruiting boards with a strong senior season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1658913' first='Josiah' last='Sturdivant'] saw his stock take off this spring, making a significant jump in the rankings and entering the season as one of the premier edge rushers in the 919. Sturdivant has the tools to consistently create problems off the edge, showing burst, athleticism, and the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. His offseason rise has put him firmly on the radar, but now comes the opportunity to back it up on Friday nights. With another productive season, Sturdivant has a chance to establish himself as not only one of the best edge defenders in the Triangle, but one of the defensive names to know across the state.     Levontae McNeil is one half of a dangerous defensive front tandem at Overhills, and his versatility makes him a problem to game-plan against. McNeil has the tools to impact the game from multiple alignments, possessing the strength to slide inside and battle in the trenches while also having the athleticism and burst to attack off the edge. That ability to move him around creates matchup problems and gives Overhills plenty of options up front. McNeil has a complete defensive skill set, and his combination of power, versatility, and disruptive ability makes him a legitimate next-level prospect whose stock continues to climb.     [player_tooltip player_id='1306285' first='Khali' last='Clark'] has already proven he can make plays when the lights are the brightest. The 2027 Crest linebacker was a key piece of a state championship defense and came up with several huge plays during the title run. Clark brings an impressive combination of strength, speed, and physicality to the middle of the defense. He can run sideline-to-sideline, attack downhill against the run, and has the strength to finish when he arrives. Championship experience matters, and Clark has shown he can produce in high-pressure moments. Strong, fast, physical, and battle-tested, Clark enters the season as a linebacker college programs need to have on their radar.     [player_tooltip player_id='2206336' first='Markalen' last='Camp'] has worked his way into the conversation among the better linebackers in North Carolina, now sitting at No. 39 at his position in the state. The 2027 Burns linebacker has seen his stock continue to trend upward as more attention comes his way. Camp brings the tools you want in the middle of a defense and has positioned himself as a prospect worth tracking closely heading into his senior season. Breaking into the Top 40 at linebacker is a major move, but Camp has an opportunity to climb even higher with a strong final year at Burns.     [player_tooltip player_id='2155938' first='Finn' last='Stevenson'] is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker for Panther Creek who brings range and activity to the middle of the defense. His ability to run immediately stands out, as Stevenson consistently works through traffic, closes space quickly, and finds his way to the football. He covers a lot of ground and has the athleticism to impact plays outside the box instead of being limited to just playing downhill. In today's game, linebackers have to be able to run, and Stevenson has the range and pursuit ability that translate well to the next level. He's another rising defensive prospect who should be firmly on the radar this season.

No position group made more noise in the latest rankings update than the defensive prospects. These guys didn't just move up a few spots—they shot up the board. Several defenders climbed 100+ spots, forcing their way into the conversation after impressive offseasons filled with strong camp showings, physical development, better film, and increased exposure.