2025 Rankings Risers: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evaluating the 2025 defensive prospects rising up the PRZ state rankings.</h2>    The Ironwood Ridge DE made a massive jump in the rankings to #104 overall with excellent year over year improvement from his junior to senior year. At 6'2” 225 lbs. he combines his speed and power to be a force at the LOS. Flashes an explosive first step off the ball to quickly gain penetration and make a ton of plays at or behind the LOS racking up 23 TFL, 10 sacks and 83 total tackles. A plus athlete with good body control and bend coming off the edge. He's able to beat blockers with his speed and dip to collapse the pocket or use his hands to maintain separation and shed as he locates the ball. Can move laterally and close space on the ball in the short area. Committed to Colorado School of Mines in October but picked up a PWO to NAU in mid-December. Also holds offers from Minot State and Fort Lewis.      Francis is a long CB at 6'1 175 lbs. that jumped almost 50 overall spots and is the 30th ranked DB in the 2025 class. He has a long frame that he uses to his advantage at the catch point to gain positional leverage and play the ball in the air. Great route recognition, he's patient and limits wasted movement to stay attached to the hip and run the route with the receiver. Does a good job stepping into throwing lanes and playing through the hands to knock the ball out. Excels in off coverage that gives him the space to run with the deep ball and plant and drive on short/intermediate routes. Skillset translates well to either CB or FS at the college level and has seen his recruitment on the rise as of late with five total offers to his name that includes Southwest Minnesota State, Black Hills State, Fort Lewis, and Wisconsin-Riverfalls.      Brown is a physical secondary defender that shows he can use his versatility to line up in multiple spots and be effective. Good ability to drop back and play in coverage at Safety or come down hard in run support to bring heavy contact. He's a smart defender that understands his assignment and plays well with his eyes to read the QB and locate the ball. Like his reactionary quickness to break on the ball and close space. Excellent open field tackler that breaks down and finishes his tackles by wrapping up and driving through contact. Finished the 2024 season with over 100 tackles and six PBU's. Jumped almost 50 overall spots to #155 overall and inside the top 20 DB's in the 2025 class. High academic prospect with a 4.56 GPA, 32 ACT and eight college offers.      Regina jumped 47 spots into the top 200 overall and the #22 ranked LB in the 2025 class. At 5'10” 190 lbs. he's a downhill defender with good range and burst to close. Quick to read and react he's got good instincts to anticipate where the play and trigger to the ball. Good strength in his frame to take on blockers and then disengage with ease. Relentless in pursuit, uses his speed and change of direction to close space on the ball in a hurry. Flashes a high football IQ with good eye discipline taking smart angles to the football and accelerating through contact at the POA. Finished the 2024 season with 104 total tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 5.5 sacks. Size and skillset could transition well to Safety at the college level. Currently holds an offer from Western New Mexico.      Haws is an attacking defensive playmaker that disrupts opposing offenses by making a ton of plays behind the LOS. Was among the state's leaders in sacks with 17 on the year adding 37 TFL and 107 tackles. At 6'2” 240 lbs. he possesses a fast first step off the ball to beat blockers before they can get to the spot. Does a great job using his hands to disengage from contact and then locating the ball carrier. He chases hard in pursuit and flashes the ability to redirect in the short area. High motor and high effort guy that makes plays from the back side and down field. Named First Team All-State and jump to #179 overall and the #21 DL prospect in the 2025 class.