Marysville Ohio High School Football has a Top Defensive Trio in an untapped College Football recruiting market from the Class of 2027

Marysville High School is quietly building one of the most competitive and physically gifted defenses in Central Ohio—and much of that momentum is coming from a core of juniors who are developing faster than their age would suggest.

The trio of Mitchell Evans, Talan Wolford, and Carter Dunn has emerged not only as Marysville’s defensive foundation, but as players with the athletic traits, competitiveness, and football IQ that project to the college level.

What makes their rise even more intriguing is the landscape around them. Marysville, Ohio—a rapidly growing city just 20 minutes from I-270—has long been considered an under-the-radar football community. A Division I program that plays a physical, demanding OCC schedule, Marysville has the size, toughness, and competitive environment that colleges look for. Yet the area remains a somewhat untapped recruiting pocket, filled with athletes who boast legitimate frames and skill sets worthy of next-level attention.

These three juniors represent exactly that.

#19 Mitchell Evans (DE, 6’3, Class of 2027)

6 tackles, 2 sacks vs. Lancaster | 6.5 sacks through 3 games

At 6’3 with length, explosiveness, and a violent first step, Mitchell Evans has become one of the most disruptive young edge rushers in Central Ohio. His early-season production—6.5 sacks in three games—isn’t just impressive; it highlights a player who already understands leverage, hand usage, and pursuit angles at a level far beyond a typical junior.

Competitiveness & Leadership

Evans plays with a motor that doesn’t turn off. Coaches rave about his practice habits, his ability to elevate the energy of the defensive line, and his willingness to take coaching and implement it immediately.

He leads by example—rarely celebrates, never takes a play off, and is often the first player to congratulate a teammate after a big moment. Despite his youth, Evans communicates like a senior, shifting fronts, calling out blocking schemes, and playing with a maturing football IQ.

College Projection

His frame, speed, and natural edge-rush ability match what college recruiters look for at the next level. With continued development, Evans has the tools to become one of the most recruited Class of 2027 defensive ends in Central Ohio.

#5 Talan Wolford (CB, 6’0, Class of 2027)

10 tackles, 1 INT vs. Lancaster | 35 tackles, 3 INT through 3 games

Talan Wolford is the definition of a competitive defensive back. At 6’0, he has the length and physicality that college DB coaches covet. His ball instincts are elite for a junior: three interceptions in three games, with several more passes contested.

Competitiveness & Leadership

Wolford plays corner like a linebacker—fearless, physical, and willing to stick his nose into every tackle. His Week 3 film shows a player who trusts his technique and doesn’t shy away from top competition.

What separates Wolford is his football intelligence. He reads routes, disguises coverages, communicates pre-snap alignments, and often makes adjustments before the play happens. For a junior, his maturity in the defensive backfield is striking.

He is also one of the emotional leaders of the team—encouraging teammates, challenging others to raise their level, and playing with a fire that lifts the entire defense.

College Projection

With his size, instincts, and tackling ability, Wolford projects as a Division I defensive back. His versatility—able to play corner, nickel, or even rotate to safety—makes him an even more valuable long-term prospect.

#38 Carter Dunn (LB, Class of 2027)

9 tackles, 2 QB hurries vs. Lancaster | 37 tackles through 3 games

Carter Dunn is one of Marysville’s most reliable defenders—a steady, physical linebacker who diagnoses plays quickly and finishes with authority. Through three games he already has 37 tackles, showing a level of consistency that stands out.

Competitiveness & Leadership

Dunn plays with a controlled aggression that every great linebacker needs. He takes pride in being the “glue” of the defense—aligning players, calling out motions, and making sure the front seven is set.

His leadership is quiet, steady, and respected. Dunn doesn’t need to yell; instead, he leads by toughness, communication, and dependability. Teammates respond to him because he does everything the right way: film study, effort, technique, and preparation.

College Projection

Dunn has the frame to grow, the instincts to play early, and the body type colleges prefer at linebacker—broad shoulders, strong lower body, and efficient footwork. As he fills out physically, his recruitment stock should rise significantly.

Marysville: An Undervalued Recruiting Region on the Rise

What makes these athletes even more compelling is the environment they’re coming from.

Marysville is a growing Division I program that:

• Plays a physical OCC-style schedule

• Produces athletes with legitimate size and strength

• Is located in the rapidly expanding corridor of Central Ohio

• Remains slightly under-scouted compared to Columbus-area powerhouses

College programs looking for length, toughness, and high-motor athletes would be wise to look 20 minutes outside 270—because Marysville has players who check every box.

Evans, Wolford, and Dunn are proof of that.

They are wise beyond their years, competitive at an uncommon level for juniors, and each has the physical traits that translate to college football. Their continued development could not only elevate Marysville’s season—but also put the program more firmly on the recruiting map.