Class of 2026 New to the Rankings: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many very talented players from the class of 2026 on the defensive side of the ball. Here are five of those players who were recently added to the Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1065366"],"_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":"Daunte played well as a Sophomore in 2023. His good play helped the Pickerington North Panthers to an 11-win season where they advanced to the 3rd round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 17.6 points per game. He plays as a MLB. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass and shows great instincts taking the correct angle in pursuit. He plays at a good pad level before delivering a nice form tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he does a great job of reading the QB and disrupts the passing lane. He displays great ball skills showing very good hands as he comes down with an interception.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1163013"],"_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":"Andrew had a great Sophomore season in 2023 where he made 59 TKL with 3 TFL, 2 INT and a sack. His outstanding play helped the Princeton Vikings to an 11-win season where they advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 11.67 points per game. He plays as a FS. Against the pass, he tracks the ball in the air like a center fielder while using his great play speed to get himself in position and shows good hands as he high points the ball for an INT. Against the run, he reacts quickly and moves very well laterally taking good angles and shows great mental toughness before making the tackle near the goal line preventing a touchdown.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1171275"],"_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":"London played very well as a Sophomore in 2023. His stellar play helped the Westerville South Wildcats to a 7-win season where they advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs. He plays as a DE. Against the pass, he is quick off the ball and displays good use of hands winning battles with his hands inside combined with solid play strength as he disengages. He exhibits good closing speed as he delivers a big hit for the sack. Against the run, he effectively uses his great quickness to quickly penetrate the LOS. He plays with excellent range as he plays sideline to sideline before exhibiting very good explosiveness as he delivers a big hit preventing a gain of significant yardage.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1171150"],"_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":"Jacob had a very good Sophomore season in 2023. His solid play helped the Kings Knights to a 6-win season where they advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs. He plays as a slot CB. Against the pass, he shows great awareness in zone before quickly locating the ball. He does a great job of getting in front of the WR before exhibiting solid ball skills as he makes the interception. Against the run, he displays very good play strength and toughness as he takes on the block from the OL before disengaging quickly. He plays at a good pad level and puts his helmet on the ball forcing a fumble.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1182164"],"_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":"Christon had a good Sophomore season in 2023. His good play helped the Withrow Tigers to a 12-win season where they advanced to the 4th round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 8.6 points per game. He plays as a MLB and OLB. Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play and uses his very good athleticism to penetrate the LOS. He takes good angles in pursuit before making the tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he does a very good job of reading the QB while patrolling his zone and reacts quickly to the ball being thrown. He shows very good explosiveness as he makes the tackle preventing a first down.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dd6687dd3b5"} /-->