2026 Rankings Risers: Defense Part 2

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth analysis of the 2026 defensive prospects rising up the PRZ state rankings.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177572"],"_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":"Harris had a monster statistical season as a junior racking up 127 total tackles with 12.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks. At 5'10” 160 lbs. he does a great job reading run/pass and then locating the ball carrier. He's quick to trigger taking good angles of pursuit to the ball. Honorable Mention to the All-Arizona team and also contributed at RB. Size and skillset could transition well to the secondary as he develops.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["401162"],"_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":"6'1” 200 lb. edge prospect out of Shadow Ridge that flashed good ability as a sophomore. He comes hard off the ball with good initial quickness to gain penetration as the play is developing. Showed he can rush the passer working around blockers off the edge or be slasher cutting inside to close space. High motor guy that chases hard in pursuit and finishes the play with effort, makes a lot of backside and downfield tackles. Wrapped up the 2023 season with 40 total tackles and four TFL.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6630e1b7cd330"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GrantJJordan/status/1722299653981655218","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/GrantJJordan/status/1722299653981655218 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["834643"],"_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 interior DL prospect at 6'1” 250 lbs. Flashes good power at the POA to get a strong push and establish positional leverage on the snap. Can beat blockers with his bull rush to collapse the pocket or work laterally to get around blockers and redirect in the short area. Like his natural strength in his hands to shed/disengage. Showed good extension and placement to maintain separation and keep blockers away from his body. Does a good job holding his gap and staying in his framework. Strong foundational skillset and size to build on as he progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6630e1b7cd39c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingTyler_77/status/1747096469105238224","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/KingTyler_77/status/1747096469105238224 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["992824"],"_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":"Kirkland is a technical safety prospect at 6'1” 180 lbs. He's smooth in his back pedal playing with good pad level to adjust and change directions as the play develops. Flashes a high football IQ and plays well with his eyes. He's patient with his reads as he diagnoses the play and maintains his eye discipline throughout coverage to stay in phase. Plus ball skills and plays through the hands to break up passes at the catch point. One to watch as he develops and gets more experience.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6630e1b7cd3f8"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JackKirklandAZ/status/1754404929454895403","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/JackKirklandAZ/status/1754404929454895403 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177575"],"_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":"Pacheco was a two-way playmaker for St. David as a sophomore. He filled the stat sheet going for 122 total tackles with 20 TFL while rushing for almost 800 yards and 13 touchdowns. Voted All-Arizona honorable mention.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6630e1b7cd45f"} /-->