Five Excellent 2026 Players: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, there have been some incredible players in every class. Here are five of the many talented defensive players from the Class of '26 who have played great football this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["573453"],"_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":"Cam is having a great season so far in 2023 as the Lakota West Firebirds are currently 4-2 and have held opposing offenses to 8.2 points per game. He plays as an OLB. Against the pass, he uses his very good play strength to quickly disengage from OT/TE doubleteam and displays good closing speed as he forces the QB to pass the ball earlier than anticipated leading to an incomplete pass. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass and shows good instincts as he takes good angles in pursuit. He exhibits very good explosiveness as he makes the tackle near the LOS preventing a gain of significant yardage.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["390334"],"_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":"Ra'shaud has played well this year as he helped the Pickerington Central Tigers hold opposing offenses to 20 points or less 3 times. He plays primarily as a slot CB. Against the pass, he uses his very good football intelligence to read the route of the WR and shows good awareness in zone. He exhibits very good play speed in pursuit before making the tackle preventing a first down. Against the run, he reacts quickly and takes good angles in pursuit. He displays very good play strength as he makes the tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. His very good mental toughness enables him to improve his play near the goal line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["573482"],"_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":"Kaden has been having a great Sophomore season in 2023 as he has helped the Olentangy Braves to a 5-1 record where they held opposing offenses to 19 points per game. He plays both Safety positions. Against the pass, he does a great job of locating the ball and uses his good play speed to put himself in position and displays very good hands as he comes away with an interception. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass, displays good closing speed in pursuit, squares his shoulders while playing with good leverage before making a nice form tackle.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["333811"],"_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":"Wesley has been playing great this year as he has helped the Jackson Ironmen to a 5-1 record where they are currently on a 4 game win streak. He plays as a MLB. Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play and uses his very good athletic ability and instincts in pursuit. He exhibits excellent explosiveness as he makes a big hit behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he reads the QB while dropping back in coverage. He reacts to the ball quickly and uses his good closing speed in pursuit before delivering the tackle preventing a first down.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["817943"],"_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":"Adam has played well this season as he helped the Princeton Vikings to an undefeated 5-0 record where they have held opposing offenses to 7.2 points per game. He plays as a MLB. Against the run, he times the snap perfectly before quickly penetrating the LOS. He is quick in pursuit before making the tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he does a good job of reading the QB and shows good awareness in zone. He uses his good play speed and instincts when in pursuit of the WR and delivers a big hit preventing a gain of significant yardage.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6516495b8f7e9"} /-->