2026 Defensive Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that our 2026 rankings update for the state of Kentucky has been officially published, I have taken the past couple weeks to focus on the top players at each position. With those players already being covered, I wanted to take the time to focus on some players to watch that are outside of the top five at their position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here are some under the radar defensive prospects in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264307"],"_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='1264307' first='JW' last='Muster'] is a player that caught my attention when breaking down sophomore year film. Muster lines up at defensive tackle/end where he is impressive against the run. He does a great job of using his strength to fight through blocks with ease. Once he gets through those blocks, he has shown the ability to find to the ball carrier and get to them in a hurry to make the tackle. He finished this past season with 15 tackles and three tackles for loss in 14 games. Muster also finished the year with 0.5 sacks. JW doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on as his role in the Owensboro Catholic defense continues to grow.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1170198"],"_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='1170198' first='Tucker' last='Evans'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past season. Evans lines up at middle linebacker where he does a great job of stopping the run. Tucker has shown the ability to read his keys quickly and come downhill to get to the ball carrier before they can get going. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has proven to be a very reliable tackler. Evans finished this past season with 36 tackles in eight games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the year with one sack and an interception. Tucker doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player that college coaches should keep a close eye on heading into his junior year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1176926"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1176926' first='Michael' last='Hammonds'] is another 2026 linebacker that caught my attention this past season. Hammonds lines up at outside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of using his speed to flow to the ball carrier in a hurry and his strength to fight through blocks on his way. Hammonds is a very reliable tackler once he gets to the ball carrier, finishing this past season with 38 tackles and two tackles for loss in 11 games. He also finished the season with one sack and an interception. Hammonds doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to pay close attention to heading into his junior season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1158696"],"_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":"My final defensive player to watch in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1264305' first='De'Andre' last='Watkins']. Watkins has shown the positional versatility to play both in the nickel and at safety. When lining up at nickel, he has shown the ability to open up and run with receivers to mirror their routes in man coverage. Regardless of where he is playing in the secondary, he has shown the ability to make plays on the ball, finishing this past season with one interception and several pass breakups in 11 games. He also showed the ability to fill the lane and make tackles against the run, finishing the year with 36 tackles and one tackle for loss. De'Andre doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664525c3cb368"} /-->