Class of 2026 Under the Radar: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a plethora of talented defensive players in the class of 2026 in OH. Here are five outstanding defensive players who are currently under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1171263"],"_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":"Caron had a great Sophomore season in 2023. He made 63 tkl, forced 3 fumbles and had 5 PBU and 1 INT as he helped the Trotwood Madison Rams to an 8-win season where they held opposing offenses to 16.9 points per game. He plays as a SS. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass and plays with great leverage and explosiveness as he delivers a big hit causing a fumble. Against the pass, he does a great job of reading the QB and tracks the ball well in the air. He displays good hands as he comes down with the interception to seal the victory.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["958764"],"_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":"CJ played well as a Sophomore in 2023. His very good play helped the Liberty Benton Eagles to a 9-win season where they held opposing offenses to 14.2 points per game. He plays as a DE. Against the pass, he is quick off the ball and uses his great athleticism to defeat the OT. He plays with a good motor in pursuit before finishing up with a sack. Against the run, he shows good burst off the ball and defeats the OT with an excellent combination of hand use, play strength and physical toughness. He locates the RB quickly before making the tackle behind the LOS for a TFL.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1182178"],"_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":"Caleb had an excellent Sophomore season in 2023. His outstanding play helped the Ironton Tigers to an 11-win season where they advanced to the 3rd round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 13.8 points per game.; He plays as a DT and NT. Against the run, he fires off the ball and uses his good play strength to walk the C back before disengaging. He locates the RB behind the LOS before making the tackle for a TFL. Against the pass, he effectively uses his play strength to collapse the pocket. He shows solid closing speed in pursuit before making the sack.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1182168"],"_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":"Nevin played great as a Sophomore in 2023. He had 100 tkl with 9 TFL, 2 sacks and 1 INT. His great play was a bright spot in the 2-8 season of the Dublin Scioto Irish. He plays as a MLB. Against the run, he shows outstanding football intelligence as he reads the mesh point on zone reads. He plays with good leverage before making the tackle near the LOS preventing a gain of significant yardage. Against the pass, he does a great job of timing the snap before he quickly penetrates the LOS. He uses his solid play speed to catch the QB before bringing him down for a sack.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1118897"],"_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":"Luke had an excellent Sophomore season in 2023 where he made 127 tkl with 10 TFL and had 2 sacks with 1 FF and 2 INT. His outstanding play was a bright spot in the 2-9 season of the Mount Vernon Yellowjackets. He plays as a MLB. Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play and displays excellent instincts in pursuit as he takes good angles before exhibiting excellent explosiveness as he delivers a big hit for the tackle. Against the pass, he does a great job of patrolling his zone while reading the QB. He locates the ball in the air and shows great ball skills as he comes down with the interception.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6609771396ccf"} /-->