New 2026 Defenders On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some impressive 2026 defenders on the rise?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has all the details...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Worley - Kennesaw Mountain</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile, interior defensive line prospect on the rise in Cobb County, Worley is a thick, physical lineman who is coming off a strong sophomore season where he closed running lanes and attacked the quarterback. He brings decent size at 6-foot-2 255-pounds along with a good motor and the ability to make a secure tackle in the trenches. He plays with good leverage, can fight off blocks, and has the ability to create pressure on the quarterback from the inside. It was a down year for the Mustangs overall, but Worley proved to be a promising, playmaking defender who gave everything he had every time he hit the field. He's only getting better, and if he continues to work hard and progress more and more over the next few months, this Kennesaw Mountain defender could be in store for a giant 2024 season as a junior. If he does, look for some possible D1 interest and offers to come his way down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1319933' first='Zedrick' last='Patterson'] - Shiloh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An explosive, hard-hitting linebacker with length and the ability to make play after play in the backfield, Patterson is a prospect on the rise in Gwinnett County with a long 6-foot-1 200-pound frame. He's a promising pass-rusher off the edge who knows how to deliver a sound, physical hit on the ball-carrier. He's a weapon on the blitz, and if he's not blocked properly, will find his way to the quarterback with ease. His stock is on the rise, and he's recently earned offers from Western Michigan and Miami (OH). He shows good instincts, quickness, and is a sure-tackler in the open field. He's one of the top returning linebackers in the area for the 2026 class and bound for a massive junior season for his Shiloh team in 2024. As a sophomore last year, this playmaking defender on the rise made 60 tackles, 10 TFLs, and four sacks along with three forced fumbles. His best football is way ahead of him, and he should see a big boost in the next 2026 Prep Redzone update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1319924' first='Lawrence' last='Brown Jr']. - Grayson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top 2026 outside linebackers in Gwinnett County, Brown Jr. is an explosive, playmaking pass-rusher who is coming off an eye-opening sophomore city for the Tri-Cities Bulldogs in 2023. He brings a long 6-foot-4 frame and showed last year that he is quick off the snap, allowing him to live in the backfield throughout the season. He was too fast and explosive for bigger, heavier offensive tackles and knows how to make a play on the football. Now, he'll be playing for the mighty Grayson Rams, and many around the program have high expectations for the promising rising junior. His potential and ability to rush the quarterback was easy to see last year, and it's led to offers this month from Western Michigan, Miami (OH), and South Florida. The natural talent is there, and if he continues to work on his craft while adding more muscle and mass this summer, Brown Jr has a chance to have a truly special junior season in 2024. More offers are likely coming his way, along with a new ranking in the next 2026 Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->