2026 Film Review: Potential Breakout Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the off-season, we've been doing an extensive film review over 100s of prospects in the Natural State. This article will go over potential breakout defensive linemen prospects in the class of 2026. Here are five disruptors that I believe will showcase their skillset in 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1248544' first='Gavin' last='Cubit']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"259","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Trumann","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Foot-3u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e260 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernTrumann defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1248544' first='Gavin' last='Cubit'] brings power, strength, and energy to the position. Cubit displays explosion off the snap with good foot quickness, hand placement and a rip move to engage with good pad level and instantly get in the backfield. Strong lower body with length to extend the OL and drive back into the pocket. He's able to beat the OL almost instantly off the snap vs both the run and the passing game. A true X-Factor that showcases the ability to tackle in space and 1v1. Demonstrates the ability to dominate as a 3-5 tech.rnrnNote - 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e93e920423"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Gavin_Cubit/status/1776773847439577407","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/Gavin_Cubit/status/1776773847439577407 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1248546' first='Lance' last='Gulley']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arkadelphia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e215 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernArkadelphia defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1248546' first='Lance' last='Gulley'] showcases power and athleticism at the position. Gulley displays quickness out on the edge with the ability to contain and force back inside. Good hand placement and patience to control the OL while reading and reacting to make a play on the ball. His lower body strength allows himself to drive the opposition back into the pocket, forcing pressure on the QB. Good consistent tackler with good technique.rnrnNote - 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e93e9204df"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LanceGulley/status/1595139547402469376","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/LanceGulley/status/1595139547402469376 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288456"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-10u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e215 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernNorth Little Rock defensive lineman u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eRay J Hunteru003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e showcases speed, athleticism with power off the edge. Hunter displays good read and react ability with good hand placement and footwork to win on the edge and contain. Strong upper and lower body to drive the OL back into the backfield and make a play on the ball. Good bend, UOH and awareness to win 1v1.rnrnNote – 3.8","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e93e920555"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Showtime_Rayj3/status/1693374644340863062","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/Showtime_Rayj3/status/1693374644340863062 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["255654"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-10u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e200 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDL/Edgeu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernArkadelphia defensive lineman u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eWhit Aldersonu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e brings a sideline-to-sideline motor with physicality on the edge. Alderson displays very good explosion off the line of scrimmage with good UOH demonstrating good hand timing, hand strength and hand placement to create leverage and beat his man inside or bull rush back into the pocket. Solid lateral agility, change of direction and lower body power to attack his opposition head on with a rip or swim move to disengage and make a play on the ball. Alderson is a guy with athleticism and foot quickness that can consistently win off the edge, putting pressure on the quarterback.rnrnNote – Second Team All-Conference","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e93e9205c0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jwhitalderson/status/1743725779697934368","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/jwhitalderson/status/1743725779697934368 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830860"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-10u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e220 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernBryant defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='830860' first='Jayton' last='Jones'] brings athleticism, quickness and versatility to the DL. Jones has experience lining up from the 1-5 tech due to his explosion off the snap, foot quickness and bend to beat his opposition. His UOH is impressive, winning the 1v1 battle and creating havoc in the backfield. Good awareness and lower body strength to contain the edge and force the play back inside. In the interior, he's able to penetrate gaps and making a tackle or sack. Jones ability to create pressure is underrated.rnrnNote - 3.4 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e93e920622"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/vibez_fragger/status/1723890745575121228","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/vibez_fragger/status/1723890745575121228 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->