Elite Combine 2026 D-Line Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='849682' first='Marcel' last='Reed']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hazelwood Central NG <br>- 6'1" 310 <br>An absolute unstoppable bull all day but especially in one on ones. Marcel was so dominant that all the top offensive line prospects at the combine stepped up and wanted the challenge of competing against him at nose guard and defensive tackle regardless of position they played along the OL. At 310 with a big-time motor, tenacious, physical and really good get off and strength, Reed was too much to handle in the match-ups I witness, as I didn't see him lose a rep. He took on all comers racking up the reps and never tired. He tested well for a NG on the day as well. He's a tireless worker who loves to train with the drive, passion and mindset to keep getting better. Colleges are already starting to take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1247230,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0497.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1247230" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='849703' first='Brendan' last='Huddleston'] DE<br>Ladue<br>- 6'3" 230 Testing Results: 4.91 40 - 4.31 pro agility - 8'10" broad jump - 30" vertical jump <br>The most athletic defensive linemen in his class on the day was the talented Huddleston, who had the best testing numbers of his group on the day as well. Brendan showed great strength and explosiveness along with good speed agility and quickness. He showed a really quick first step and is proficient in getting to the quarterback in a hurry already. He's just scratching the surface as a player and has a nice ceiling he still has to reach. He recorded 57 tackles and 6 sacks as a sophomore. Some of the local colleges in the region are already aware of his potential. Look for a big season loading up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1125476' first='Phoenix' last='Phillips'] <br>Maryville DT<br>- 6'3" 288 Testing Results: 5.4 40 - 4.75 pro agility - 8" broad jump - 23" vertical jump<br>Another interior D-line monster for opponents to face off with at the combine was the powerful Phillips. He showed great toughness and physicality, with good explosion and get off on the snap to give offensive linemen a lot of trouble. He just got better with every rep. He still a little raw with his technique, but he is the real deal and he continues to learn and as his skill set catches up to his athleticism watch out. He had a good day testing at 288 pounds and competed hard in every category and in drills. Excited to see how his junior season unfolds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125470' first='Xavier' last='Gammon']</strong> <br>Blue Springs South EDGE<br>- 6'3" 219 Testing Results: 4.86 40 - 4.5 pro agility - 8'4" broad jump - 26" vertical jump <br>A rising Edge prospect who impressed me when I saw him play last season and earned an invite to the combine. Gammon is very quick off the edge and gets into the backfield in a hurry. He shoots off the line and uses his impressive speed to his advantage against offensive linemen. He also showed a great motor at the combine and had some great reps in one on ones besides him good day of testing and work in drills. He has the ability to be a top defender on the Kansas City side of the state in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1125463' first='Xavier' last='Jackson'] DE/DT <br>Ft. Zumwalt North<br>- 6'3" 249 Testing Results: 5.2 40 - 4.75 pro agility - 8-foot broad jump - 23" vertical jump<br>Jackson is a returnee to the combine after an impressive performance as a freshman last year. This time around he is bigger, stronger and more skilled as a defensive lineman. He had a solid day testing, but he was most impressive in drills and one on one reps. He has the frame to grow into a defensive tackle over the next couple of years, but is skilled as a defensive end, and had a great follow up to his freshman season as a varsity starter in 2023 with 82 tackles and 7 sacks as one of the leaders of the Panthers defense. His quickness and motor make him a problem for offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->