Recruiting Radar: 2026 Defensive Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out our scouting reports on our defensive prospects from the class of 2026. The state of Utah has had a group of sophomores that contributed for their teams and we want to cover them to get you prepared on who to look forward to on the field next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Carter Egbert: LB || 5'10 || Mountain Crest HS ||</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Egbert is an athletic prospect that plays the inside linebacker position in the Mustang's defense. Against the run, he has a knack for the football to diagnose and read the offense quickly. Lateral quickness to move along the LOS. A sure tackler to stop ball carriers at the LOS and the open field. Egbert will look to build off from this past season and be one of the top prospects to watch for in the 4A class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='904947' first='Kellen' last='Wood']: LB || 5'11 || Viewmont HS ||</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wood is an athletic prospect that plays the inside linebacker position in the Viking's defense. Against the run, he can diagnose and read quickly. UOH to avoid blocks. Lateral quickness to move along the LOS. Shows instincts and reaction to play in pass coverage. A sure tackler that can make the play on ball carriers at the LOS and the open field. Wood had a productive season with 100 plus tackles and will be a prospect to watch out for in the 5A class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1149966' first='Jesse' last='King']: DL || 6'4 || Timpanogos HS || </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King is an athletic prospect that plays with bend and burst to play along the LOS. Against the run, he plays with initial quickness to read and react to stop ball carriers at the LOS. As a pass rusher, he shows burst to get up field, UOH to make quick contact and accelerate to the QB. A sure tackler to stop ball carriers at the LOS. King finished the season with 11.5 sacks and should be on the recruiting radar as one of the top prospect in the 4A class and the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='718012' first='Hugh' last='Matsumori']: DB || 5'9 || Olympus HS || </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matsumori is an athletic prospect that plays the cornerback position in the Titan's defense. Can diagnose and react in run support.Has a knack for the football and can make a play to get the ball in the air. Ability to stay on hip with pass catchers. Adjust in zone coverage to make plays. Matsumori was a huge contributor in helping the Titans reach the 5A state championship and will be top prospect to watch in the 5A class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tua Naufahu: EDGE,LB || 6'0 || Springville HS || </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naufahu is an athletic prospect that plays with bend and burst to play along the LOS. Against the run, he plays with initial quickness to read and react. Strength at the POA to control blocks. As a pass rusher, he shows burst to get up field, UOH to make quick contact and accelerate to the QB. A sure tackler that can make the stop at the LOS and the open field. Also has versatility to inside linebacker. Naufahu finished the season 72 tackles and will be a top prospect in the 6A class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1207664' first='Sunia' last='Fifita']: LB || 5'9 || Cottonwood HS ||</em> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fifita is an athletic prospect that plays the inside linebacker position in the Colts defense. Against the run, he can diagnose and read quickly to find ball carriers between the tackles. Shows UOH to avoid blocks and lateral quickness to move along the LOS. Shows take off as a blitz rusher and shows instincts and reaction in pass coverage. A sure tackler that can make the stop at the LOS and the open field. Fifita is an under the radar prospect to put on your radar next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->