Stock Up Performers: Week 5 Defense

With another week of high school football action in the books, it's time to visit the state of Kentucky as we highlight some of the most impactful prospects on the defensive side of the ball from this past week. Today, we will be continuing my "Stock Up Performers" series as we take a look at the top defensive performers from week five of action.    At the top of my list of notable performers is [player_tooltip player_id='418719' first='Zander' last='Curry'], a 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete at Corbin High School. Curry has been an explosive defensive weapon for the Redhounds this season, collecting 31 total tackles, including 27 solo stops and four assisted takedowns. Curry also forced one fumble and made one fumble recovery. What stands out most about Curry's playstyle is his commanding size, athleticism and electric speed off the snap, impressing me with his game knowledge, ability to disrupt the offense and his ability to prevent offensive production.    I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='735601' first='Aiden' last='Augustus Dowds'], a 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker at Campbell County High School. Dowds has been relentless defensively this season, picking up 20 total tackles, including 13 solo stops, seven assisted takedowns and six tackles for loss. What makes Dowds so explosive on defense is his ability to read the offense like a book as well as his calculated positioning. I'm also fond of how Dowds uses bursts of speed and his physical edge to quickly execute off the snap and keep offensive playmakers out of the backfield.    Claiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='381878' first='Jason' last='Dunn'], a 5-foot-10, 170-pound defensive back at St. Xavier High School. Dunn has played a big role on the Tigers' defense so far this season, recording 18 total tackles, including nine solo stops and nine assisted takedowns. Dunn makes a big difference defensively due to his execution off the snap, using his speed to blast the defense, collapse the pocket and make crucial stops. Dunn also stands out with his ability to exert his strength on stops, disrupt the passing game and apply heavy pressure on the quarterback.    Another skilled prospect to keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id='837535' first='Kayden' last='Jenkins'], a 5-foot-11, 265-pound defensive lineman at Bullitt East High School. Jenkins has made more than a few contributions to the Chargers' defense this season, picking up 18 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, eight assisted takedowns, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. What makes Jenkins such a solid defensive weapon is his overall organization and ability to stay locked in with his teammates. I'm additionally fond of how Jenkins can collapse the pocket, make stops and keep the offense behind the line of scrimmage.    Coming in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='403683' first='Chad' last='Hughes'], a 6-foot-0, 200-pound defensive lineman at Nelson County High School. Hughes has been a gamechanger for the Cardinals on the defensive side of the ball this season, collecting 17 total tackles, including eight solo stops, nine assisted takedowns, three tackles for loss and three sacks. In addition to great size, speed and a physical edge, Hughes stands out due to his footwork, execution, overall strength, ability to consistently breach the offensive line and his stopping power.    Another prospect worth mentioning is [player_tooltip player_id='773226' first='Jaquon' last='Coulter'], a 6-foot-0, 150-pound athlete at Taylor County High School. Coulter has made his presence known defensively with the Cardinals this season, picking up 17 total tackles, including five solo stops and 12 assisted takedowns. Coulter also recovered one fumble and hauled in an interception. What makes Coulter so unstoppable is his electric footwork and quickness off the snap, stunning the defense with his speed, ability to overwhelm the offense in the pocket, stop the run and get to the quarterback.

With another week of high school football action in the books, it's time to visit the state of Kentucky as we highlight some of the most impactful prospects on the defensive side of the ball from this past week. Today, we will be continuing my "Stock Up Performers" series as we take a look at the top defensive performers from week five of action.