Rising 2026 Defenders: Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am just beginning to scratch the surface of the 2026 class. I was amazed with the amount of top end talent there is throughout the entire state of Missouri. There are some defenders set to be serious risers throughout 2024. Below, I highlight five of my favorite defensive prospects from Prep Redzone's 2026 rankings update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["691344"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='691344' first='Cordell' last='Washington'] may be the most underrated DB in western Missouri. I was impressed with Cordell's sophomore tape, and I am excited to see what 2024 has in store for him. Keep an eye out for his regional recruitment to heat up as he enters his junior year. Good instincts, quick hips, and flashes of next level range shows when Cordell disrupts vertical routes as a deep middle defender. Coaches like Cordell's combination of power and explosiveness that gets displayed pursuing ball carriers from depth. A good combination of strength, instincts, tackling ability, and closing speed suggests Cordell has all the tools to be a versatile safety in college.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["284041"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='284041' first='Jaxon' last='Hunter'] is set to be one of the fastest rising defensive linemen in southern Missouri. Jaxon has been invited to camps in the past, but I am surprised the decorated defender has received so little attention from schools in the region. Expect that to change by the time summer gets here. Coaches like Jaxon's shed technique and tackling ability displayed consistently finishing plays in space as a run defender. Good instincts and a fluid change of direction get displayed quickly finding the ball despite misdirection in the backfield. Jaxon's combination of length, power, and closing speed displayed pressuring the pocket with a bull rush highlights his ability to be a versatile pass rusher in college.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1128424"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1128424' first='Yarmon' last='Kirksey Jr']. had a dominant sophomore year racking up ten sacks for Ritenour's defense. The good-sized DL prospect is poised to make a big jump in 2024. Yarmon plans on attending Kansas State's Junior Day this spring, so be on the lookout for more schools to be in contact before the winter ends. Good instincts get displayed quickly finding the ball in the run game, while Yarmon's power gets displayed running through ball carriers at the point of attack. Yarmon shows a next level combination of strength, bend, and explosiveness accelerating off the edge and pressuring quarterbacks as a speed rusher. Good hand technique and lateral quickness highlights Yarmon's potential to develop into a legit speed rusher prospect before his junior year ends.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1034314"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1034314' first='Jaden' last='Richberg'] had over ninety tackles a sophomore for Blue Springs South's defense. Jaden has visited Kansas State more than once, but I'm surprised more teams in the area have not shown interest. Expect the productive defender to be a top LB recruit outside of Kansas City by the time his junior year begins. Jaden shows a good combination of instincts, quickness, and closing speed changing direction and pursuing ball carriers as a backside linebacker in the run game. Coaches like seeing Jaden's strength and length shed blockers then drop ball carriers at the line of scrimmage when defending the point of attack. Good awareness, explosiveness, and power as a tackler suggests Jaden has all the tools to be a three-down linebacker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["849713"],"_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":"DeKarai Weaver is set to blow up as one of St. Louis' most talented two-way prospects. DeKarai is a great-sized receiver who has the instincts, physicality, and athletic ability to play defense in college. Expect his first offer to come in before his junior season begins. DeKarai's ball skills, awareness, and athleticism gets displayed locating u0026amp; intercepting deep balls in zone coverage. DeKarai shows good power and acceleration attacking underneath receivers from deep alignments. Coaches like DeKarai's strength, quick change of direction, and explosiveness displayed in press coverage; A great combination of length, long speed, and quick feet highlights DeKarai's potential to thrive on an island as a man defender in college.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65af2828c8266"} /-->