5 Defensive 2026 Recruits Who Set Themselves Up For A Big Fall

<p>We're looking at 5 recruits today in the 2026 class who have set themselves up nicely for this upcoming fall. The class is talented and as they're developing only seems to be getting deeper and deeper.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='401664' first='Zach' last='Foster'] - Gibson Southern - ATH - 5'11" 155lbs</h2>   <p>Foster is a 2-way player who just had a breakout-type campaign and should be a guy who picks up quite a bit of traction throughout the next few years. He's a fantastic athlete with a good head on his shoulders. He's rangy and has a good burst. He's as versatile as they come and is even a decent quarterback in his own right. He got some opportunity at QB this year and did a good job. He's got a nice soft release and can hit guys downfield. However, he then also carried the ball and caught it. He can line up wide and in the slot but is best when on the outside and can use his frame to create some space. Defensively though, it might be his calling. He is a good DB who takes proper angles and knows how to come to balance. He threw for 1 TD, rushed for another TD, caught another, and had 400 total yards across the 3 spots. His 56 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 fumbles recovered, and 5 picks on the backend rounded out his year. Foster is versatile, and learning, and could be a great target as he enters his upperclassman years.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Zach_Foster11</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1201918' first='Lucas' last='DelRio'] - LaPorte - DL - 6'2" 215lbs</h2>   <p>DelRio is a guy who won't be hidden for much longer. He's got the traits, size, and early production to be a guy who skyrockets up boards everywhere. He's incredibly strong for his age and has no issue being the aggressor at the line. He's not a 1 trick pony trying to get home either. He's able to slip underneath a tackle, quick enough to hit the inside, and strong enough to bullrush when needed. He understands how to get off double teams and forces the opposing teams to start focusing on him. He's a high-motor player who does a good job tracking the ball through traffic and will run it down. As he develops in the weight room it'll help make him a more violent player. He's well-coached already and is off to a fantastic start. With 78 tackles, 7 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles it's easy to see why he could take off. DelRio checks quite a few boxes and seems to be on his way to being a perennial DE recruit.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Delrio_Luke</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='205681' first='Carsen' last='Eloms'] - Fishers - DB - 6'0" 170lbs</h2>   <p>Eloms is a fantastic athlete who is still finding his footing on the field, but he may have found something last year at DB. With his speed and athletic ability, he's able to cover as much ground as anyone. His closing speed is top-notch and he can run down ball carriers from behind with ease. He's also a track stud for Fishers and it's only helped him stay in shape and ready for football. He lined up wide and on an island without needing someone over top most of the time. His timing to jump routes and bat balls down is decent and he won't be too aggressive or handsy while the ball is in the air. His backpedal and ability to flip his hips and run are decent, but he could use some work refining the minor movements. His sophomore season saw him on the field for 5 Varsity games and we should see quite a bit more opportunity from Eloms next fall because the talent and upside are there.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@CarsenEloms</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1201920' first='Matthew' last='Wolfe'] - Corydon - LB - 6'1" 205lbs</h2>   <p>A bigger LB who is aggressive and willing to push the line when he's on the field. He likes to use his size, strength, and frame to his advantage where he can. He's not afraid to play physically or be the one to initiate contact. He packs a punch behind his weight and frame and you can tell is a guy who spends some time in the weight room. He's thick and can on multiple blockers. While he can run, he's much more of a physical LB who should be at or around the LOS. He got his feet wet last year on Varsity and made some good plays. I think it was about getting him on the field, showing that he not only belongs but that he could be a difference-maker. He's also got some history of carrying the ball and working with the offense. He's got the tools and the size, he just needs to refine them. There's a lot of untapped potential here with Wolfe, and hopefully, he begins to tap into that well this fall.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@MatthewWolfe07</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1201919' first='Ross' last='Ogden'] - Bloomington North - DB - 6'3" 200lbs</h2>   <p>There might be a recruitment battle over Ogden and what sport he's going to play at the next level, but I'm team football here for multiple reasons. First off, a 6'3" DB is rare, so to have a guy of that size who can run, move, bend, and attack the ball as well as he can is even rarer. He's a fantastic athlete with great hand-eye coordination. He's got a good feel for things around him on the field and isn't afraid to go after the ball. While he is listed at DB, he's more of a hybrid player because they move him around. He's a chess piece that they get to play with. If they need him to create pressure, they'll let him loose. If not, they'll send him to the back and have him roaming the field while slowing down the offense. He's raw, but man he's talented. 55 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks, and 10 TFLs is what he put up during his sophomore campaign. I'm a big fan of Ogden and hopefully, we can keep him on the football field longterm.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Ross_Ogden07</strong></p>

We're looking at 5 recruits today in the 2026 class who have set themselves up nicely for this upcoming fall. The class is talented and as they're developing only seems to be getting deeper and deeper.