1A – 2026 Defensive Studs To Keep Your Eye On Pt. 2
As of 2026, there are several high school football defensive players who have shown exceptional talent and potential. These players have garnered attention from college scouts and are expected to make a significant impact at the collegiate level and beyond.…
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Continue ReadingAs of 2026, there are several high school football defensive players who have shown exceptional talent and potential. These players have garnered attention from college scouts and are expected to make a significant impact at the collegiate level and beyond. Here are some defensive studs to keep an eye on.
CJ Brown
CJ Brown
CJ Brown demonstrates a good rush plan and an ability to get off of blocks. He has a quick first-step off the ball and gets upfield faster than many offensive tackles are prepared for. Once upfield, Brown uses active hands to slap away linemen. He showcased an impressive rip move that allowed him to gain leverage on offensive tackles and shed their blocks. He had impressive technique to use both his hands and feet at the same time to get the better of edge blockers. Brown features functional upper body strength that helps him scrap with blockers and keep them from sustaining blocks or get a good hold of him.
Braylon Outlaw Braylon Outlaw 6’0″ | 205 lbs | LB Pike Road | 2026 State AL shows the athleticism to sink his hips to get turned to the quarterback. He is a fluid defender who can use his hands and feet at the same time while working upfield. Outlaw possesses quickness to close and is a threat to turn the corner and has enough speed to dart by offensive tackles. Along with his speed, Outlaw has functional strength to shed blocks, using his hands well to break free of them before turning on his quickness to dart away.
Highlights
Kenderious Chapman
Kenderious Chapman
Kenderious Chapman is quick off the ball and a capable three-technique to line up over the outside shoulder of the guard. Chapman uses his quick first-step to fire his gap and get penetration upfield. With his burst to fire into the backfield, Chapman has real ability to create disruption in the backfield while denying quarterbacks the ability to step up in the pocket. Chapman also has some athleticism to redirect and adjust to scrambling signal-callers. Chapman is not stiff and has loose hips to change direction. While Chapman is quick, he also shows some upper strength to slap hands away while working to upfield to get after quarterbacks.
Jakyrie Chaney
Jakyrie Chaney
Jakyrie Chaney is an impressive pass rusher. He possesses athleticism and twitch at the point of attack, showing a burst to fire his gap. With his developed strength and active hands, Chaney can slap hands off of him before using his speed to dart past blockers. He has a real burst to close, and there is no doubt that he is a fast interior rusher. Chaney has fluid hips to slide away from blockers and dart into openings to get after the quarterback.
Jake Haney
Jake Haney
Jake Haney does a nice job of achieving angles on guards to penetrate upfield. Haney has a burst off the ball and quickness to close when he gets free. While Haney has a thick build, he is not stiff and possesses sufficient hip movement to not be a straight-line player. Haney has some power in his bull rush and can generate push to force his offensive linemen into retreating backward in the pocket.