Elite Football Combine: 2026 D-Line Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I take a look at the class of 2026 defensive linemen on the rise who attended the 2023 Elite Football Combine and stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='284041' first='Jaxon' last='Hunter'] | West Plains |</em></strong><br>One of the top young athletes in the Southwestern part of the state. Jaxon is also a top track athlete in the throwing events discus and shot put. He returned after coming last year as an eighth grader and showed his improvement in all areas from his testing to one on ones at 6'3" 240. Hunter showed good speed with a 5.1 laser forty time, quickness with a 4.6 pro agility and also had a 26" vertical jump. He has good explosiveness and a quick first step, and the strength to handle offensive linemen older then himself. Look for him to have a break out year playing both defensive and offensive line for the Zizzers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1125463' first='Xavier' last='Jackson'] | Ft. Zumwalt North | </em></strong><br>Xavier caught my attention last summer in camp and did a nice job his freshman year. He came to the combine and continued to be a player to watch progress based on his combine performance. He has good size at 6'2" 235 and showed a good motor at defensive end. He ran a 5.3 laser forty and had a 26" vertical jump. He did good work battling in the one on ones and his athleticism made him a tough match up, especially for young offensive linemen. I see his role increasing for his Panthers during his sophomore year. He looks the part of one of the top young defensive linemen in his class in the St. Louis area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1130317' first='Tilton' last='Hughes'] III | Holt |</em></strong><br>The 6'2" 270 Hughes has all the tools to be one of the top defensive tackles in his area. His athleticism, ability to run and quickness at his size a great assets to have. I watched his in 7v7 tryouts and he was surprisingly nimble running routes and has good hands as a tight end. His future though is as a linemen as the abilities he possesses make him a tough match up regardless of where he plays along the line. He's still raw technique wise but has a good motor and really gets after it. He's a player to watch for this coming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->