2026 Defensive Players To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive guys love to go out and make a name for themselves. Especially during a time where offenses get so much shine. There are some 2026 guys out there we have been keeping our eyes on. Let's check it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953409' first='Mac' last='McDaniel'] </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm sure everyone knows by now that I am a big fan of McDaniel. He is a guy that plays with a lot of aggression. McDaniel is a player that loves to try to stick his nose in to make a play. He does not shy away from contact. McDaniel is a dog when it comes to making big plays. He knows how to bring runners down to the ground. I think that McDaniel has a chance to be a safety on the next level. He just needs to get elusive and more aware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691290' first='Tre' last='Ellis']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellis another player that I like from this class. Ellis also plays running back for his varsity squad. I was able to see Ellis at a football camp this summer and he looked pretty good. Ellis is going to be a division one football player. He has what it takes to be a big time name in this class. He has a lot of time to continue to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691279' first='Jeremiah' last='Harkins']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harkins is a guy that I am confident in. I like the way he approaches the game. He is a player that I think is going to be a leader for his team next season. Harkins stands out amongst most of the 2026 linebackers in the state. He has some things to work on, but he is young. He also looks like he is going to put on some size. His journey is going to be one to keep up with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691284' first='Jamison' last='Kelly']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly is another guy that I am impressed with. He is safety from Madison Central. I could even see him playing linebacker on the next level. He has the frame to pack on some real pounds. This young man has a great understanding for the game. He is already making an impact on Madison Central's defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->