2027 Rankings Update 5.0: Defensive New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the month of July is coming to an end, the 2025 high school football season is almost here. With that in mind, we have been in a new round of rankings updates with the class of 2027 being the most recently updated class in the state of Kentucky. After covering the top players and stock risers in the class, I wanted to wrap up my 2027 rankings coverage with some notable new players in our latest update. With the offensive side of the ball already taken care of, here are some intriguing new additions on the defensive side of the ball in our latest rankings update for the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715680"],"_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-6888581476035"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1715680' first='Matthew' last='Stephens'] jumped onto our radar with an impressive sophomore season. Stephens lines up at defensive tackle where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of using his strength to fight through blocks with ease on his way to the ball carrier. Stephens also shows the speed and high motor to run all over the field to get to the ball carrier and he is a very reliable tackler once he gets there. Matthew finished his sophomore year at Bethlehem with 55 tackles and eight tackles for loss in 11 games. He also finished this past season with one sack. Stephens doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some eyes to be on him after transferring to LaRue County for his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701896"],"_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-6888591ebef89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1701896' first='Corbin' last='Wells'] was one of the more productive linebackers in the entire state last season. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is at his best against the runs. Wells does a great job of reading his keys then exploding out of his stance and using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he runs his feet through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Wells finished last season with a team-high 141 tackles along with eight tackles for loss in 13 games. He also showed the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, timing his blitzes perfectly to burst through his gap before the opposing offensive line can react, finishing last season with three sacks. Wells also ran the ball 28 times for 153 yards as a sophomore. Corbin should be a player for college coaches to keep a close eye on over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715691"],"_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-688859d67d951"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1715691' first='Jaxon' last='Gass'] is another inside linebacker who stood out as a sophomore. He does a great job of reading the play then flowing downhill with a sense of urgency to get to the ball carrier. Gass has shown the ability to use his strength to shed blocks with ease on his way to the ball carrier and he is a very reliable open field tackler once he gets there. Jaxon finished this past season with 83 tackles and four tackles for loss in 12 games. He also came away with one interception as a sophomore. Gass will be a player to continue to keep a close eye on heading into his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715702"],"_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-68885a9703af5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable defensive new addition in the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1715702' first='Earnest' last='Perry']. Perry lines up on the outside at corner where he is very reliable in man coverage. Earnest does a great job of opening up and using his speed to run with opposing receivers to mirror their routes, staying in their hip pocket the whole time. When the ball is thrown his way, Perry reacts with perfect timing to break on the ball and break up the pass. Earnest currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->