2026 Tape Review: Rising Defensive Stars

With the 2026 ranking updates pushed into May it gives the Prep Redzone Kansas Team some additional time to scour the state for young talent who needs to be upgraded or added. I intend to continue my marathon film study through the month, taking a look at all the available film on the ranked players we have so far and note others that catch my eye.   As a part of this approach, I will publish reports three times a week that provide status on the 2026 tale of the tape as well as select five to seven players in each report who seriously caught my eye in the review process.   In this report, I will be focusing on the defensive side of the football. In particular, five young warriors on the rise.   Listed below are the latest rising young defensive stars in the Kansas football scene that leaped off the tape in my review this week. These guys are getting ready to capture some much deserved spotlight this fall.   The Mid-Week Five are listed below:     [player_tooltip player_id='1114761' first='Wyatt' last='Brungardt'], 6'4, 235, DE, Wellsville, is ranked #80. He is coming off a solid sophomore season when he loaded up 48 tackles, six tackles for loss and six sacks. He is a standout on both sides of the ball, playing offensive tackle as well being a long, physical defensive end with a good wing span. On offense he is athletic and has good feet walling off in pass pro, blocking in space or caving in down blocks in the inside running game. On defense he is brawler of a defender on the perimeter who can overwhelm blockers with a bull rush, or bend and blast his way around outside blockers. He has good body lean and control working his way to the quarterback and also flows laterally fast enough to take out speedy running backs on the flank. Get out and see a defensive dominator coming into his own this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='611097' first='Kelvin' last='Parker III'], 6'0, 175, DB, Olathe North, is ranked #4. He is the highest-ranked player in this report and is coming off an excellent season a year ago as a star-on-the-rise defensive back and a dangerous return man who can take it to the house on any kick. On defense, he can play any of the defensive back positions, but excels as a shutdown corner who can jam the receiver at the line and flip his hips in response to the wideout and stay in his hip pocket. He backpedals seamlessly in coverage and displays top-end football instincts moving laterally and flying to the football. He takes good pursuit angles and tracks the ball well in flight, going up to the apex-point for contested catches. He is also a stifling open field tackler who uses his outstanding closing speed to deliver a blow on the ball carrier. This kid is the real deal, get out and see him while you can.   [player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback'], 6'1, 225, DE, Derby, is ranked #19. He is coming off a solid sophomore season last fall as a tough run-stuffer of a defensive end who can play down in the trenches or out wide to shut down the perimeter. As a five technique in the Derby 3-4 defense, he uses his strong base and weaponized hands to hit blockers in the mouth and help shut down the opposing team's running attack. He has a good initial step and keeps good pad level splitting gaps and double teams and flying into the backfield. He can also move out on the edge to storm the gate on sweeps and off-tackle run plays. He is aggressive and physical in the trenches and in pursuit and will lower the boom on open field tackles. Another Derby stud getting ready to shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='585908' first='Traeh' last='West'], 5'8, 165, DB, Shawnee Mission South, is ranked #34. He is coming off a superb start to his high school career as a versatile, three-way performer who rarely leaves the field. On offense he is a speedy slot and wideout who is effective at slicing up defenses with precision short and intermediate routes before burning up the seams on the long homerun ball. He is also utilized effectively on reverses, is a speedy, elusive return man and an overall special teams warrior. Where he really stands out, however, is as an instinctive, ballhawk of a free safety who can float deep and use his great read and react skills to destroy passing attacks. With his speed and acceleration he covers a lot of ground and enjoys collapsing down to torpedo running backs before they can get going. Get your popcorn out this fall, this guy is going to be fun to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='904448' first='Ezra' last='Spiller'], 6'1, 225, LB, Rock Creek, is ranked #50. He is coming off an excellent sophomore season as a head-thumping linebacker who piled up 79 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. An old-school middle linebacker, he is an aggressive, powerful force who shuts down the running game between the tackles. He has a strong, athletic build and can step up and go toe-to-toe with offensive linemen and fullbacks, while also having the foot speed to flow laterally and throttle sweeps and reverses. He is a bruising hitter who uses his excellent football instincts and read and react skills to burst through gaps and embarrass double team attempts. He reads the quarterback and offensive linemen quickly and is relentless tracking the ball down in the backfield. Get out and see a throwback player on his way to blowing things up this fall.     In conclusion, these guys may not be getting a ton of attention yet, but that is getting ready to change this fall. Put them on your watchlist and get out and see them while you still can. And, as always, if you have comments, questions or want to pass on information on players “flying under the radar” feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

With the 2026 ranking updates pushed into May it gives the Prep Redzone Kansas Team some additional time to scour the state for young talent who needs to be upgraded or added. I intend to continue my marathon film study through the month, taking a look at all the available film on the ranked players we have so far and note others that catch my eye.