NextGen Las Vegas – 2026 & 2027 Defensive Standouts

The NextGen camp series continued its 2022 tour this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada at Ed Fountain Park. NextGen Camps evaluate more than 5,000 athletes each year. In its seven-year history athletes have received nearly 8,000 Division 1 scholarship offers. NextGen All-America Showcase camps have quickly become one of the nation’s most respected Middle School and High School Underclassmen Showcase Camps. Here is a look at the Defensive prospects in the class of 2026 and 2027 that stood out to us. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285387 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/RyderSmith-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="270853" first="Ryder" last="Smith"] | California | Linebacker | 2026</strong> The most physically impressive middle school prospect I saw at the camp. Measured in at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds. Barrel-chested prospect who may have been the strongest prospect regardless of age. Certainly, a prospect to know. Has bloodlines too--dad played professionally with the Cardinals and Arena League. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285393 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/JaxsenPhilistine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jaxsen Philistine | Arizona | Linebacker | 2027</strong> Athletic linebacker that looked like he could play a number of different positions. Loved his toughness and will to be physical. Impressed in the cat and mouse by accelerating to full speed and breaking down quickly. Good lateral movement and patience helped him play in control. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285397 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/AdrianSoto-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Adrian Soto | Linebacker | 2027</strong> Good looking seventh-grade linebacker who appeared to be able to be able to play any of the linebacker positions. Had a nice frame and some length to build upon. Measured in at 5-foot-9 and has potential to be a head-turner as he continues to develop. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285398 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/RubenBravo-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ruben Bravo | Arizona | Defensive Back | 2027</strong> Bravo displayed a good build on him and had decent size for being just a 2027 prospect. Played a physical brand of corner and wasn’t afraid to press at the line of scrimmage, regardless of age. Moved adequately and showed fluid hips when turning to run with receivers. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285400 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/MarkWoods-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Mark Woods II | Arizona | Defensive Back | 2027</strong> Young corner who competed hard on every rep I saw. Gave up substantial size to many of the receivers but played with an edge in his game. Did a nice job of reading and reacting to what was going on in front of him. Plays on CGE, the same 7v7 team as Bravo, listed above. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285401 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/OliverSimmers-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212205" first="Oliver" last="Simmers"] | Arizona | Defensive Back | 2027</strong> Physically strong and mature, looks like he could play varsity right now at a lot of high schools in the country. Built like a linebacker at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds but can run very well. Clocked at a 11.94 in the 100 Meter. Violent and versatile, looks like he could play safety too. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285402 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/TylerBurnstein-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tyler Burnstein | Arizona | Defensive Line | 2026</strong> Passed the eye test right away with his length. Measured in at 6-foot-3 and 178 pounds, which was up an inch and three pounds from when his eighth-grade season ended in December. Son of a former Arizona State Sun Devil. High cut kid that sets the edge and has great technique. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-285407 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/GrantJordan-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Grant Jordan | Arizona | Defensive Line | 2026</strong> A regular season teammate of the aforementioned Burnstein, Jordan had a nice afternoon at camp. Showed good explosion out of this stance. Decent size for a defensive end at this level, measured in at 6-foot and 180 pounds. Good balance in his stance and showed a lot of hustle.