New 2026 Rankings: Defensive Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are taking a look at some new defensive prospects who made the leap right into the rankings by being a playmaker and defensive weapon for their team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909755"],"_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":"Hinnant is a playmaker at inside backer for the powerful QO defense. He ended the season with a handful of turnovers, a few forced fumbles and even a blocked punt. He helped QO give 5 shutouts and only give up 85 points this season. Hinnant is a run stopper who meets the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. Offensively he plays running back and translates that athleticism filling gaps outside the tackles.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6563588b93dd1"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Lonzo5kk","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Lonzo5kk </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092014"],"_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":"Ronald is an outside backer who fly's to the ball and can hawk down the outside run in no time. In the pass game he's on the tail of receivers and running backs in the flats and keeps them confined to short gains. He shows some breakaway speed when carrying the ball, he plays running back on the offensive side. At running back, he recorded 61 carries for 668 yards and 6 touchdowns. In the last game of the season, he had 18 carries for a hefty 331 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Johnson had 48 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss and 5 sacks on the season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6563588b93e40"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1092014' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] HUDL:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18522456/Ronald-Johnson">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18522456/Ronald-Johnson</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["711682"],"_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":"McDuffie is a young edge rusher who made his presence known on varsity this season. His strength and hands are his most polished weapons. When engaged he keeps blockers away from his body and his eyes in the back field and gets off of blocks fairly easily. His bull rush looks effortless but puts blockers in the backfield and stops ball carriers in their tracks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6563588b93e8e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kayden_McDuffie","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kayden_McDuffie </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091981"],"_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":"Torbit burst onto the scene with one heck of a season, recording 9 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 39 tackles, with a forced fumble and fumble recovery as the cherry on top. He's a very athletic big man making him versatile along the line, he's quick off the line and sets the edge just as fast. He uses his quickness in the interior line to shoot gaps and sometimes gets through untouched. This defensive front is the heart of this overpowering defense and Torbit is contributing to the success in this championship run. Keep an eye on Torbit in this championship game, he may come up with some big plays to help secure another state title.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6563588b93ed5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JabariTorbit","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JabariTorbit </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092015"],"_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":"Nathan is an enforcer for SJCP at inside linebacker and fills his stat book across the board. He led his team in tackles with 74, had a blocked punt, an interception, and even a rushing touchdown on offense. He plays fast and aggressive and makes the line of scrimmage his home, he finds his way to the ball weather it's between the tackles or outside run, Diomi is there to make the play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6563588b93f1c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BigGlobal301_","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BigGlobal301_ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->