2026 Defensive Prospects to Watch this Summer:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy Memorial Day, the school year has ended which means spring football is coming to an end. We take a look at five prospects in the 2026 class to watch throughout the summer:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286591"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6654ae4da3525"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Campos showcases quickness and athleticism from the 3-5 tech. Campos displays good foot quickness and pad level off the line of scrimmage with good hand placement to create leverage and shed. His speed allows him to quickly win 1v1 on the EDGE, putting pressure into the pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Lennox_campos","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/Lennox_campos </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286601"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6654ae4da3585"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kinney displays a quick first step to read and react, attacking downhill vs the run with good angles while staying square. Solid pursuit to chase down ball carriers from behind while showcasing physicality. Kinney is a potential breakout prospect to watch in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jordankinney_8/status/1619496795167416321","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/jordankinney_8/status/1619496795167416321 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286615"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6654ae4da35d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Duckery displays good read and react ability with good change of direction to break on the ball vs the run, making a tackle in space. Good speed and fluidity to transition quickly with control and stay inside the hip pocket, not allowing any separation while forcing a PBU. Showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor with physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 3.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KeyvyDuckery/status/1722422279336763577","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/KeyvyDuckery/status/1722422279336763577 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286628"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6654ae4da3618"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1286628' first='Talen' last='Jones'] brings impressive athleticism with awareness in the secondary. Jones displays good footwork and fluidity to flip his hips in transition and stay with his man. Good feel in zone coverage with good change of direction and lateral agility. He consistently arrives at the catch point due to good read and react ability, forcing PBU's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 3.6 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JonesTalen/status/1793835675768500408","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/JonesTalen/status/1793835675768500408 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["436453"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6654ae4da3669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='436453' first='Briar' last='Gadberry'] showcases an impressive sideline-to-sideline motor. Gadberry displays a quick first step with his eyes in the backfield, instantly reading and reacting and then attacking downhill with good angles and staying square. Good open field tackler, showcasing good technique and consistency in space. A physical linebacker that can cover in zone or man with good IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note – 3.6 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/briargadberry20/status/1784682783001944084","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/briargadberry20/status/1784682783001944084 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->