2026 Rankings Update: Newly Added Defensive Prospects!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here were checking out some of the new defenders added to our 2026 class- these guys have a ton of talent and are set up for big seasons this upcoming fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158051"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1158051' first='Chimenum' last='Ajinwo'] is a talented defensive back out of Pelham that made a massive impact in their secondary last fall. Ajinwo plays with a lot of instincts and anticipation, he can easily react to plays and has a good understanding of the different things he needs to do to be successful in their defense. Ajinwo is really reliable in coverage-he has a good ability to make plays on the ball and doesn't get beat easily downfield. In addition to his abilities in coverage, Ajinwo has shown that he has some great tackling technique. He is able to track and wrap up the ball carrier to bring him down in the open field, preventing tons of big plays from different opposing passing attacks. Ajinwo had a lot of big plays last season, as he heads into his junior year he's going to be a name to watch out for!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1128392"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1128392' first='Zay' last='Hall'] is a really talented linebacker out of Paul W Bryant that has the ability to really slow down opposing offenses in a variety of ways. Hall is an athletic linebacker with a lot of sideline to sideline speed- he frequently uses it to his advantage to maneuver all around the field to make plays on the ball. If he's playing against the run, Hall does a great job closing up gaps and is able to make a lot of tackles both at and before the line of scrimmage. When Hall is out on the field it's rare that the ball carrier can make it into the open field. Against the pass, Hall is an efficient blitzer and can provide some good coverage in the middle of the field as well- he does a good job putting pressure on the quarterback and can certainly hold his own against pass catchers. Hall is a seriously talented player that's coming off a really solid season last fall- he ended up recording a total of 77 tackles (5 for loss, 47 solo) and consistently had a big impact all over the field. Keep an eye on him this season to see how he performs, he's got a lot to show!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1137631"],"_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":"u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eGarrett Witheringtonu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e is a really talented EDGE/DL prospect out of Briarwood Christian that has a lot of athleticism and skills that allow him to make a lot of splash plays on their defensive front. Witherington can set the edge really well- he does a great job containing the ballcarrier and not allowing them break free towards the outside. Witherington has proved to be a really good tackler as well, he really does  a great job wrapping up the ball carrier before they can break past the line of scrimmage and rarely ever has anyone break through when he initiates contact. Against the pass, Witherington has already shown that he has a good variety pass rushing moves and knows when to use them. He frequently keeps offensive tackles on their toes, can pressures the passer, and doesn't give the offense anytime to react or make plays. Keep an eye on him this upcoming season, he just recently picked up offers from Notre Dame and Tulane- and with how well he's played, he's only going to add more to that list!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["566977"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='566977' first='Tyson' last='Bacon'] is a talented defensive end prospect out of Hoover that really impressed me with his film. Bacon is explosive off the edge, can make a ton of plays in the backfield, and is an aggressive pursuer of the ball carrier. Bacon can cause a ton of chaos in the trenches. He has the ability to overpower offensive linemen with his strength as well as beat them with his speed to generate pressure on the quarterback and close in on the run. Bacon has shown a ton early on as a prospect and could really break out next year in Hoover's defense. He's definitely going to be a name to watch going forward- he has lots of potential!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6627e760676f6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2446","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6627e76067b8b"} /-->