2026 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the new 2026 defensive prospects to the PRZ state rankings.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165368"],"_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":"After a breakout sophomore season, Durr has established himself as one of the top 2026 DB prospects in the state. With a long and athletic frame at 6'1” 170 lbs. he checks a lot of boxes as a major D1 corner prospect. He's a competitor that is capable of locking down opposing team's top WR using his speed and change of direction to match movement and stay in phase at all three levels. High level ball skills, he's able to track the ball and time out his jump to play through the hands at the catch point. He's got great feet to come out of his break at short/intermediate level and is a long strider to cover the deep third. Recruitment is building with three D1 offers coming in since last November including two P5 and will see many more as the recruiting cycle progresses.rnrn3 Offers: Arizona State, Arizona, Nevada","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9382a7e054"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9382a7e084"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/e1ijah_durr/status/1727388417917673550","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/e1ijah_durr/status/1727388417917673550 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165392"],"_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":"Gabalis is an active defender with a great combination of length, speed, and athleticism at 6'4” 195 lbs. Possesses great positional flexibility with a wide skillset that is easily transferrable to multiple positions on both sides of the ball. At safety he's got plus range and awareness to make plays all sideline to sideline. Flashes good eye discipline and play diagnosis skills to make quick decisive reads and react. Like his short area burst to close space in run support and in coverage with the ball in the air. Also a good receiver at Archbishop Murphy but projects on the defensive side at the college level and could very well end up playing OLB with his length and growth potential in his frame. No offers yet but he's a D1 prospect and it's only a matter of time before he collects his first offer that will launch his recruitment.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9382a7e0e5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Henry_Gabalis/status/1715214839327691207","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/Henry_Gabalis/status/1715214839327691207 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165394"],"_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 cover corner with good natural instincts and anticipation. At 5'11” 160 lbs. he runs well and shows good lateral agility in coverage. He's smooth coming out of his transition planting and driving to accelerate out and break on the ball. Like his reactionary quickness and ball judgement skills, puts himself in good position between the ball and receiver to make a play at the catch point. Recorded five interceptions during the 2023 season. Plus route recognition to establish positional leverage and maintain his cushion. Strong one on one open field tackler that finishes and wraps up to the ground. Voted league defensive player of the year as a sophomore and has good potential as he develops and progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9382a7e141"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IsaacMospanko/status/1742038573065609576","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/IsaacMospanko/status/1742038573065609576 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165393"],"_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":"Rife's a high ceiling prospect with a great frame at 6'4” 180 lbs. with room to add weight without sacrificing his speed and athleticism. He's quick to recognize run/pass and locate the ball to trigger and close space. A good athlete that can bend, redirect, and chase. He flies up to attack the ball taking good angles of pursuit and bringing strong contact at the POA. He's able to slip blockers and avoid contact on his way to the ball carrier. Like his lateral movement and agility to play flat down the LOS to get to the outside and contain to the perimeter. Flashes a good ability to rush the passer of the edge, he's got initial quickness and times out his first step to beat blockers and gain penetration as the play is developing. Look for him to gain recruiting attention going into his junior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9382a7e19c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jordan2rife/status/1716311563450352003","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/Jordan2rife/status/1716311563450352003 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165343"],"_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 compact frame with good weight distribution at 6'0” 240 lbs. He's quick and explosive off the ball to gain penetration and establish early positional leverage. Plus natural strength and powerful initial punch at the POA. He's violent with his hands allowing him to control blockers and then shed on his way to make a tackle. Also shows a good ability to anchor down and neutralize a blocker to maintain gap integrity. Plays with leverage and flashes good movement skills in the short area to redirect to the ball. Played both interior DL and DE at Gig Harbor as a sophomore but projects on the interior at the next level as he keeps adding weight and strength to his frame. Finished the 2023 season with 62 total tackles, 11 TFL, and six sacks. He plays hard and is tough/physical. Voted second team all league.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9382a7e1f8"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Peyton_howard66/status/1732975668902969801","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/Peyton_howard66/status/1732975668902969801 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->