2026 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth analysis of the new 2026 prospects in the PRZ state rankings.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177547"],"_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":"Brathwaite is the top ranked CB prospect in the updated PRZ Arizona 2026 rankings. At 6'0” 160 lbs. he's a lockdown corner that shows great natural coverage instincts and ability to stay in phase at all three levels of the field. He's physical in press man coverage that uses his hands well at the LOS to gain and maintain positional leverage. Smooth footwork with the short area speed and quickness to accelerate out of his break. High football IQ and flashes excellent route recognition to match movement and run the route with the receiver to put himself in position to make a play at the catch point. Plus ball skills to track and adjust to ball flight and play it in the air, racked up five interceptions and 18 PBU's as a sophomore. Recruitment has started to take off in the last month pulling in five D1 offers and will see many more as the recruiting cycle progresses.rnrn5 Offers: Arizona State, BYU, Iowa State, UNLV, SDSU","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dd1c36746db"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Justice29B/status/1731788119920218296","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/Justice29B/status/1731788119920218296 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177550"],"_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":"At 6'7” 255 lbs. Thomas already possesses ideal size, length, and frame with room to add weight as he develops. He's got good natural movement skills and with tons of raw athleticism and ability. Shows good bend and flexibility in the hips, knees, and ankles to fire off the ball and quickly can positional leverage/penetration. Uses his athletic ability to work around blockers or fight through contact on his way to the ball carrier. Shows he can quickly find the ball and use his short area burst and lateral agility to redirect and pursue. Picked up his first offer from Iowa State at the beginning of the month but should see more come his way as colleges visit in the spring. He's a high ceiling prospect that colleges will love due to his length and upside as he progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dd1c3674747"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AaronEliThomas/status/1733188628212515249","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/AaronEliThomas/status/1733188628212515249 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177551"],"_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":"Explosive defensive football player that shows great positional versatility to be a difference maker from multiple spots including Nickel, OLB, or SS. At 6'0” 185 lbs. he's got great range to fly around making plays sideline to sideline. He's a violent finisher at the POA driving through contact with good leverage and hip explosion. Extremely smart and instinctual, he's able to quickly diagnose his reads and trigger to break on the ball with great timing and anticipation. His ability to transition and use his short area burst to close space sets him apart and is rare to see in a sophomore. He's equally effective in both run support and coverage. Picked up his initial college offer from Arizona State at the end of January but expect his recruiting to sky rocket as he's able to showcase his talent and ability. One of the top 2026 defensive prospects in the state.rnrn1 Offer: Arizona State","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dd1c36747a7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NikoJandreau/status/1733956883994878315","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/NikoJandreau/status/1733956883994878315 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177560"],"_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":"Strong and physical LB prospect that can operate at both inside and outside LB positions. Has the ability to be a three down LB that can be stout against the run or drop back in coverage. He's quick to recognize run/pass and locate the ball to get an early break. He's got good lateral agility and closing speed to redirect and attack ball carriers, also takes good angles in pursuit. Can shed blocks using his strength or weave through traffic to avoid contact on his way to make a tackle. Aggressive tackler with leverage that can fill a gap between the tackles or break down in space. Shows good ability and reaction in zone coverage but can also cover deep and run with receivers on vertical routes. No offers to date but will see his recruiting stock on the rise through the offseason and into his junior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dd1c3674800"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/beau_jandreau/status/1755435898077127028","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/beau_jandreau/status/1755435898077127028 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177559"],"_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":"Crandall is a high-level safety prospect with a good frame at 6'2” 180 lbs. with length and growth potential. He's a smooth and savvy athlete with good hip flexibility and reactionary quickness to break on the ball. Good recovery speed and change of direction while also flashing some burst coming out of his back pedal. Plays well with his eyes to make quick decisive reads and then react. His anticipation of where the ball is going allows him to get an early break and cover a lot of ground to break up passes at the catch point or make quick open field tackles after the catch. Great nose for the football and ball skills, was amongst state leaders with six interceptions and five PBU's as a sophomore. Reliable one on one tackler in space that brings strong contact and heavy thump when he's able to line up a ball carrier. Voted second team all-state and first team all-region. No offers yet but will see increased attention but has D1 size and ability.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dd1c367485b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/grady_crandall/status/1731879130126602288","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/grady_crandall/status/1731879130126602288 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->