2026 Rankings: Top Defensive Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first batch of 2026 rankings on Prep Redzone Oklahoma were released on Monday with the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top 25 freshmen in Oklahoma</a></strong>. Throughout the week, we've been breaking down prospects throughout the rankings and even a few others that are currently “Watch List” athletes. From inexperienced prospects to versatile athletes. From quarterbacks and offensive standouts to the big men on the line of scrimmage, we've done it all! In this post, we're putting a spotlight on the prospects that are shining on the defensive side of the ball. Now, some of the prospects below could also play on the offensive side of the ball. But after checking out the film, we have them currently listed on the defensive side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587269"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Every time we do a ranking update, we find out about prospects that maybe have flown under the radar and were new to us. A perfect example of that is Nathan Hale freshman [player_tooltip player_id='587269' first='Carmello' last='Williamson'], who is listed as a linebacker but could also be considered a defensive end. Two weeks ago, we didn't know about Williamson. But after throwing on the tape, it was apparent that not only did he belong in the first ranking, but he was one of the better defensive prospects already. The first thing that jumps off the tape is his size. He simply does not look like a freshman and if he continues to grow, his stock will only go up and he'll be moved closer to the line of scrimmage at the next level. His motor was another thing that really stood out. Williamson rarely gave up on plays and even if he was 20-30 yards away from the ball, he would make an effort every time and that paid off quite a bit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["414994"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"It's interesting to see how playing for certain programs has an impact on your view of a prospect. The fact that Bixby freshman linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='414994' first='Cord' last='Nolan'] got into the lineup in the first game of the season, on a defense that was really talented, that opened a lot of eyes early on in the 2022 season. Similar to a few other prospects on this breakdown, Nolan played on a defensive unit that had some certified dudes on that side of the ball. And Nolan looked the part when he was out there. Just like with all of the players on this breakdown, not only is Nolan playing at a strong level right now, but we can only imagine what he's going to be in three years when he's a senior. There's a real potential that he absolutely skyrockets up the rankings between now and when he graduates in three years. He's just scratching the surface on his playing abilities.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["402375"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"This is an obvious statement but the first thing that stood out about Bethany's 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='402375' first='Evenson' last='Malaska'] is his last name. Bethany just had a Malaska in the 2022 class that turned into a legitimate Power 5 prospect with Jocelyn Malaska, who is now at Utah. Younger brother Evenson is now starting for Bethany at cornerback and he has the potential to be a better prospect than his Utah Ute older brother. Now, there's a lot of football between now and when the younger Malaska will sign on the dotted line. But it's safe to say that at the same time in their careers, Evenson is further along and as he continues to grow, he will already have the skillset down of being an elite cornerback. He has very good instincts at the cornerback position and he's a really good athlete already. As he continues to develop, Malaska could end up climbing higher within the top ten.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["587270"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"In the Class 3A state championship game, Heritage Hall freshman [player_tooltip player_id='587270' first='Jerrod' last='Williams'] was the leading tackler for the Chargers as they captured another gold ball. Williams has a very bright future and the Heritage Hall coaches are very excited about the potential in Williams moving forward. The Chargers have a really strong secondary moving forward with 2024 cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='315546' first='Jordyn' last='Harris'] at one side and Williams on the other side. As a freshman, Williams showed a great ability while in man to man situations. It didn't matter who Heritage Hall was going up against, Williams would find a way to be successful. And when the ball was in the air, Williams did a good job of locating the ball and making a play on it or separating the receiver from the ball. Williams also has the ability to be a wide receiver but we're keeping him on defense as a cornerback for now.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["587272"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Arguably the most productive freshman linebacker in Oklahoma came from Jones with their standout [player_tooltip player_id='587272' first='Luke' last='DeBusk']. The freshman finished with over 100 tackles while playing mainly as a middle linebacker or inside linebacker, depending on the formation. DeBusk is your prototypical inside linebacker where he just seems like a magnet to the football. He was incredibly productive in a lot of ways for the Longhorns in 2022. He did a good job of moving sideline to sideline and while he seemed like a magnet to the football, he also did a good job of keeping his eyes in the backfield during passing scenarios. One of his first plays on his freshman film featuring him keeping his eyes in the backfield, tracking a quarterback and making a play on the ball for an interception. DeBusk is definitely a name to remember at the linebacker position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["284117"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Another defensive back on this breakdown is Norman North freshman [player_tooltip player_id='284117' first='Mason' last='James']. Similar to a few other defensive backs, James could end up playing on both sides of the ball. In fact, James has signed up to compete at our camp on Saturday in Broken Arrow as a wide receiver. We anticipate that he will end up getting reps on both sides of the ball. As a freshman for Norman North, James would get onto the field on the varsity level as a cornerback and would become one of Norman North's top newcomers. As just a freshman, James was put on an island at corner in Class 6A-1 and expected to grow up very quickly. James went up against really good competition in 6A-1 and he would continue to get better each and every single day. James was definitely one of the top defensive prospects last year and the upside is incredibly high.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["587262"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"There's only a handful of 2026 prospects that have already earned a D1 offer and Del City linebacker Ricklan Holmes is one of them. On a very talented Del City defense, not only did Holmes see plenty of playing time, he fit right in with guys who signed with Power 5 programs. Holmes also spent quite a bit of time on the offensive side of the ball as a physical running back that was outstanding at running between the tackles. But what puts him on this feature is what he does on the defensive side of the ball. Holmes certainly has the build to be an outstanding inside or middle linebacker at the next level already. Del City has become a program that continues to produce top talent on the defensive side of the ball and it appears that Holmes is the next guy up in a long line of successful Del City defensive prospects. The ceiling is very high already with Holmes.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["587267"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Our final 2026 prospect on this breakdown is another defensive prospect that can not only play on both sides of the ball, he has the chance to sky rocket up these rankings. Putnam City West standout [player_tooltip player_id='587267' first='Savion' last='James'] is an outstanding athlete and honestly, he's the first of several 2026 prospects for the Patriots that jump off the charts in terms of athleticism. For James in particular, he was really good on the defensive side of the ball as a cornerback. James really excelled in man to man skills because he had the athleticism, sudden burst and overall speed to keep up with any wide receiver. James also did a good job of peaking at the quarterback while in man to man and would be able to be in a position to make a play on the ball. James is yet another prospect that could really jump up the rankings with more production on the field.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c183698e917"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->