Class of 2026: Elite Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite defenders are players who find a way to make offenses suffer with their ability to be disruptive all game long. These players can play multiple positions within a defense and make offensive coaches stay up at night to gameplan for them. Here are several elite defenders in the Class of 2026 Rankings who wreck offenses when they step on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["958332"],"_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":"Ford Jr. has a lean, long, athletic build, at the snap he has an elite burst that enables him to win early at the point of attack, he bends well while running the arch and he closes on the ball carrier like a hawk on it's prey. Kevin plays the run like a veteran, he uses his length to keep defenders from getting to his body and he has a seek and destroy mentality. Ford Jr. had a superb game in the season opener versus South Oak Cliff, he was very active, he plays with a high motor and was a disruptive force, helping the Duncanville Panther defense hold South Oak Cliff to one touchdown. Kevin recently picked up offers from Nebraska and Texas Au0026amp;M.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/KJ4ord/status/1694372791766720703?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/KJ4ord/status/1694413675308749168?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["950413"],"_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":"Jimmy is powerful at the point of attack, he plays with violent hands, he uses excellent leverage at engagement and he is a disruptive force inside that pushes the pocket consistently. At 6'4 250 pounds, Jimmy is a young player who is a force on the interior who plays the run like a veteran, he has a powerful punch that stuns his opponents at impact and his ability to detach and flow to the football are traits in his game that stick out. Look for Jimmy to be on offensive coordinators radar when they face Jordan and continue to catch eyes from collegiate programs.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/Jimmy2timesss/status/1617287419589718016?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/Jimmy2timesss/status/1615782696008949760?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["402705"],"_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":"Dominguez plays under control, he has great patience with ability to read, react and diagnose plays quickly and he comes down hill with a vengeance. Noriel has a lean athletic build, with excellent length and he uses great technique to engage and take on blocks at the point of attack well. The 6'2 220 pound sophomore had an active and disruptive first game, with 10 tackles, a sack and a safety to create chaos in the Buffaloes game opener versus Klein. Look for Dominguez to continue to help lead the Marshall defense with his stellar play in 2023.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/Norielpacman/status/1696294392951165237?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/DonnieBaggs_/status/1696692867169689870?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["960148"],"_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":"Edwards plays an aggressive, in your face type of game when he is on an island in coverage, he prides himself on getting hands on receivers early to disrupt their routes and he uses his extended length to close down passing lanes. Braylon has oily hips, he transitions into his back pedal smoothly and his ability to turn, flip, plant and drive on the football allows him to shut down activity on his side of the field. Edwards plays with great leverage, he comes up in run support under control and Braylon is a sure tackler in the open field who brings a thump with force when he attacks the ball carrier. Edwards had an active season opener, totaling 7 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Look for Braylon to continue to be a menace to offenses in the 2023 season.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/BraylonEdward10/status/1695684078555533418?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64eec204ac89a"} /-->