2026 Prospects: Defense Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will review 5 prospects from the Class of 2026. This review will include a film evaluation and a college projection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801261"],"_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":"u003cbu003eFilm Highlight Review: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRyan is a tackling machine at linebacker. He is athletic enough to play both inside and outside linebacker. He plays with toughness and does a good job of shedding blocks to make tackles. Ryan shows acceleration and can get home on the blitz. He pursues with good angles and shows the ability to make plays in space. Ryan was an All-ISL Honorable Mention.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cbu003eProjection: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHis physical measurables (height and weight) align him as a Division 1 - Division 2 prospect.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219bd88"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17915676/6558ed5c06616208481837d8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219be49"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801264"],"_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":"u003cbu003eFilm Highlight Review:u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e Hunter plays OLB. He is a bit undersized at LB and projects as a safety based on his measurables. Hunter is athletic and explosive. He makes a bunch of plays inside the tackles and can track ball carriers down with his speed in space. Hunter shows the ability to defend in pass coverage and also adds value as a player on special teams.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cbu003eProjection: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHis physical measurables (height and weight) align him as a Division 2- Division 3 prospect.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219beac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19507664/6569df46bee1a1050463603c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219bed2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801304"],"_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":"u003cbu003eFilm Highlight Review: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAlex plays OLB. He imposes his strength on film by knocking defenders backwards and with hard tacklers on ball carriers. He uses his hands well and detaches himself from blockers with ease. Alex is a strong run defender playing with gap integrity and efficient angles. He is an intriguing prospect who I think will climb the Class of 2026 rankings.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cbu003eProjection: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHis physical measurables (height and weight) align him as a Division 1 - Division 3 prospect.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219bf28"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17913620/655ec62b5b3d08056058768d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219bf4b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801327"],"_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":"u003cbu003eFilm Highlight Review: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMiguel was a productive player at DE. He shows a solid burst and acceleration coming off the ball. Uses his hands well to rush the QB. He forced a bunch of QB pressures with his pass rush moves. I would like to see him play with a consistent pad level. Miguel will keep developing into a reliable player on the defensive side of the ball.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cbu003eProjection: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHis physical measurables (height and weight) align him as a Division 2 - Division 3 prospect.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219c016"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16747322/65616f3602b31d0d843af298' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa1f219c038"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801373"],"_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":"u003cbu003eFilm Highlight Review: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJoshua is a 2 way player as a DE and RT on offense. He plays the game hard with good energy. Has a quick first step and can rush the passer with success. Shows the ability to take on double teams and win. At right tackle Joshua gets his hands inside the defender and keeps a good base of support. Plays with balance and control on the line.u003c/spanu003ernrnrnu003cbu003eProjection: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHis physical measurables (height and weight) align him as a Division 2 - Division 3 prospect.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa23fb5ef52"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18586024/6552ada3f31c620a0831e90f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa23fb5f032"} /-->