All-Basketball Football Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For over a decade now we have released our All Basketball Football Team on football National Signing Day!&nbsp; This is a historic crossover class where there are so many true two sport stars that will be up and down this roster.&nbsp; There are several players still that we have to “project” as football prospects in our hypothetical roster.&nbsp; One qualification to be on this list is you have to be a legit basketball prospect we have covered playing hoops.&nbsp; Without further ado here is our <strong>2025 All Basketball Football Team Defense</strong>!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DE – [player_tooltip player_id='2323269' first='Max' last='Carmicle'] (Hillcrest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carmicle was looked at as a basketball prospect early in his career as the Hillcrest power forward really rebounds and is a plus athlete up front.&nbsp; That translated into being one of the best pass rushers in the football class as he is going to Purdue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DE – [player_tooltip player_id='2383971' first='Tyler' last='McConnell'] (Pinckneyville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McConnell is an athlete that can play on either side of the ball, but we are going to use him as an edge rusher at his size.&nbsp; He was one of the biggest stock risers in the 2027 hoops class over the summer as a power forward that can play inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DT -&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter is the best big man in the 2026 class.&nbsp; He is headed to Toledo for basketball, but we could definitely see him being a disruptive force getting upfield as a pass rusher as a three technique defensive tackle.<br><br><strong>DT – [player_tooltip player_id='1873552' first='Jahadi' last='White Jr'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White is a highly ranked football prospect and basketball prospect.&nbsp; Most likely will go the football route as there are not too many prospects on the defensive line with his size and upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OLB – [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More of the White brothers from East St. Louis.&nbsp; This Penn State commit for hoops rose to the #2 overall spot in the class, but if he were a linebacker we could easily see him being a P4 prospect as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MLB – [player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At our middle linebacker spot we want a thumper that can run and cover over the middle.&nbsp; All those boxes are checked with Thomas!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OLB – [player_tooltip player_id='2839970' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] (Fremd)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is headed to Illinois State for hoops, but the power forward could easily play some outside linebacker for the Redbirds with his strength and range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CB – [player_tooltip player_id='2823498' first='Nick' last='Hankins'] (Belleville West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harkins is headed to the Illini as the #1 corner in the state.&nbsp; Elite shut down ability in that spot.&nbsp; Also played hoops for Belleville West being their go to scorer a year ago with a sweet mid-range game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CB - [player_tooltip player_id='2749984' first='James' last='Johnson'] (Belleville East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is currently ranked as a top wide receiver in 2027, but after the strides we saw as a junior we are going to flip him to corner on this squad.&nbsp; Contributes as a wing on the Lancers basketball team as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FS – [player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] (Yorkville Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At free safety Riley is exactly what we are looking for.&nbsp; The SIU-Edwardsville basketball recruit brings speed, range, and smarts on the back end to fly around making plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SS – [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] (Alton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stampley is going to South Dakota State as a top 10 hoops prospect, but has played football for Alton as well.&nbsp; With his strength, speed, and tenacity we could totally see him being our Ed Reed at safety!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->