NEW ADDITIONS: Promising Defenders Earn New Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which 2026 defenders earned a new Prep Redzone ranking?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got the details...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201813' first='Jared' last='Anthony']&nbsp;– Stockbridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An intelligent linebacker who lived in the backfield last year, this Stockbridge defender was a tackling machine who deserves some recognition, and now he's ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 155 overall prospect in the state after a big sophomore season where he made 43 tackles and 10.5 sacks. He runs well for his size and does a good job of eluding opposing linemen when finding the ball carrier. He's a promising pass-rusher as well, allowing him to make plays in a lot of different ways. He shows a good motor when chasing down the quarterback and knows how to deliver a sound, physical tackle. He brings big-play ability and played like an experienced veteran last year as a sophomore. If he continues to develop and improve over the next few months, look for this sleeper linebacker who have a potential breakout season as a junior this fall. If he does, look for his recruitment to pick up. He's one of the top returning linebackers in the area with easy All-Region potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201811' first='Xavier' last='Norris'] - Druid Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A promising pass-rusher and potential power five EDGE defender from Dekalb County, Norris loves to attack the quarterback and has decent size for his age at 6-foot-2 210-pounds. He flashed easy D1 potential on film last fall, and that's a big reason why he was added to the newest Prep Redzone rankings, coming in at No. 157 overall in the state for the 2026 class. His quickness of the snap gives him the ability to shed blocks early in the play and make things difficult for running backs looking for room to run. He uses his stang hands well to fight off blocks and shows a great motor when chasing down the ball-carrier. He also knows how to deliver a physical hit when he gets there. As a sophomore last fall, this under the radar defender dominated all season long, ending the 2023 season with 55 tackles, 25.5 TFLs and 12.5 sacks. He was a quarterback's worst nightmare last season and should be even better as a junior in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206144' first='Christian' last='Elam']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/christian-elam/"></a>&nbsp;– Lincoln County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A small-town linebacker from East Georgia, Elam is still an under the radar linebacker who was an easy addition to the latest rankings update, coming in at No. 159 overall for the 2026 class. A tackling machine last year as a sophomore, Elam has a natural feel for the position and is coming off an outstanding 2023 season where he made an eye-opening 128 tackles and seven TFLs. He recorded at least 10 tackles in every game but two last year and will likely do the same, and possibly improve, next year as a junior. He loves the game, he competes hard, and always finds his way to the play. He runs well, he's fundamentally sound as a tackler, and knows how to make a tackle in the open field. He was a consistent defender all season long and is bound for a gigantic 2024 season in the fall. His stock is on the rise, and he's already shown he has the ability to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->