SWMO "Underrated" Defensive Players Before Week 1.

I don't believe there is anyone in the state of Missouri more excited about the start of this 2025-2026 high school football season than yours truly. We are now in the week where most high school football programs are in jamboree week. Next week will finally be week 1 of the football season.   These six-football players are coming into their senior seasons hungry to prove they should be considered among the top defensive players in the show me state.      A "red hot' motor that never stops.   You always have to admire a high school football player that regardless of the position if they give you maximum effort when they're on the football field. To the disadvantage of the offenses in the southwest region of Missouri, [player_tooltip player_id='1841096' first='Ryan' last='Thompson'] plays the linebacker position, and he plays it with his head on fire and passion in his heart. Thompson is your prototypical weakside linebacker, where he can use his lateral speed to get sideline to sideline. Thompson has also taken some snaps at tight end and played on special teams.   Going into his senior season, Thompson is definitely on my radar he is one of those players that you just root for and college's ask to talk to.      A super intelligent "off-ball" linebacker.   Brunnert is one of the more talented backers not only in the southwest region of Missouri but the state of Missouri. It truly is mind blowing how fast he reads and reacts, a linebacker's best attribute is his eyes and instincts, put those two together and you form Jordan Brunnert from Carthage, Missouri.   Not only is he a instinctual football player but he can absolutely fly to the football, and when he meets the ball carrier he drives through the ball carrier and rarely misses tackles out in the open field.   The Carthage tigers defense is going to be one of the best units in the Missouri and one of the reasons why is Brunnert's defensive play making.      One of the best ball hawking defensive backs in the southwest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1631734' first='Ethan' last='Miller'] possesses some of the best ball skills I've seen in the class of 2026. He plays with a real "my ball" mentality when the ball is in the air. Miller thrives in off-coverage where he can use his instincts and drive on the football. Also, a perfect zone defensive back where he has taken snaps at both safety and corner. Standing at 6'1 165 pounds Miller can match up with bigger receivers but also has the necessary speed to keep up with twitchier wide outs.   Miller is just getting started in his football journey and will definitely be a very good college football player.      Athletic, versatile, smart player out of Waynesville, MO.   I'm going to list Aden Maust as an athlete in this write up and that's solely because he does so much for the Waynesville tigers. He has played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and defensive back, and every position he plays in Maust produces results. Although I do believe that he looks the most comfortable at safety. Where Maust lacks in size, he makes up for it with heart and a tenacious attitude. He comes downhill in a hurry and is a very, very good tackler.   Maust is raw and is just waiting for the right college program to come along and mold him and elevate his game. I believe college will start coming his way soon.      Strong as an ox, quick as a cat is Mr. Kade Carroll.   Kade Carroll is a defensive coordinator's dream who wants to stop the run. You can usually find Carroll right over the center in Odessa's very good defense. He is absolutely the anchor in that defense. He handles all the dirty work and keeps linebackers clean to find the ball carrier.   Although I don't want to put this young man in a box. Kade Carroll shows the ability to get after the passer. He pushes the pocket exceptionally well, which causes the quarterback to retreat out of the pocket and into some bad situations.   Carroll is a hard-working football player who will definitely get some college interests.      One of the most underrated prospects in Southwest Missouri.   The Parkview Vikings are expected to take a huge leap forward in 2025, and Teal is a huge reason why. Teal plays the five-technique for the Vikings. This position allows him to showcase his pass-rushing and run-stopping ability. His get-off is impressive, he's regularly the first man off the ball. He has violent hands that he puts to good use when disengaging from offensive linemen.   Teal is 6'3 and 235 pounds, with a great motor and above-average pass-rushing skills. I'm really surprised he hasn't received more college attention, but after this season, I'm sure that will change.

I don't believe there is anyone in the state of Missouri more excited about the start of this 2025-2026 high school football season than yours truly. We are now in the week where most high school football programs are in jamboree week. Next week will finally be week 1 of the football season.