Top 2026 Prospects Without an Offer: Defense

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270853"],"_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":"Smith is a hard nosed and physical LB prospect at 6'1” 220 lbs. He plays downhill and excels stuffing the run both between the tackles and to the boundary. Strong at the POA, he brings heavy thump and rarely gives ground upon contact. Tough to break once he gets his hands on the ball carrier while doing a great job wrapping up to the ground. Also operates well as an inside delayed blitzer that can rush the QB and make plays behind the LOS, finished the 2023 season with 21 TFL in addition to his 104 total tackles. Racked up post season accolades including First Team All-State, First Team All-CIF, and First Team All-Section. Performed well at the PRZ SoCal Showcase where he was a top performer and should see a bump in recruiting as the cycle progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664287c6ccda0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RyderSmith2026/status/1753637137977921782","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/RyderSmith2026/status/1753637137977921782 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780315"],"_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":"Carrigan is an active defender with a versatile skillset to effectively play multiple positions on D. At 5'10” 205 lbs. he can be a three-down defender with his ability to stop the run and drop back in coverage. He flashes great reactionary quickness and processing skills of his reads. He's decisive and triggers without hesitation when breaking on the ball. His athleticism and lateral quickness make him a tough block especially in space. He's able to slips blocks by avoiding contact as he closes space on the ball carrier. Runs well both in the short area and in pursuit while also being a strong one on one open field tackler. As a tackler, he attacks the ball carrier with good leverage and pad level. He drives his feet through contact and explodes his hips at the POA to finish. Matter of when not if that initial offer comes in.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664287c6cce19"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ivrixk_8/status/1736221415865745843","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/ivrixk_8/status/1736221415865745843 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780317"],"_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":"A lot to like about the DB out of Clayton Valley. He's a physical corner with dynamic athleticism and speed at 5'11” 175 lbs. Like his change of direction and ability to transition out of his back pedal. He accelerates out of his break and recovers quickly to close space on the ball. High IQ defender that is efficient with his movement while taking good angles both in coverage and in run support. Brings strong contact as a tackler, he's got good natural strength at the POA and accelerates through the ball carrier. Speed gives him great range to stay in phase at all three levels. Also excels as a kick returner where he can be elusive in the open and use his strength to break tackles. Recruiting stock should be on the rise as he develops and showcases his ability.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664287c6cce91"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DionLewbeverly/status/1748374565900960027","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/DionLewbeverly/status/1748374565900960027 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1182984"],"_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":"Johnson's an attacking defender with the positional flexibility to play multiple spots in the front seven. At 6'3” 250 lbs. he flashed on the DL as a sophomore with his initial quickness and ability to gain penetration to make plays at or behind the LOS. He's a plus athlete with natural movement skills at his size that shows he can redirect and pursuit the ball in the short area. Strong and powerful at the POA, he's a tough block that can use his hands to shed/disengage or sit down to anchor while holding his gap to force the ball carrier off his line. He's continued to add weight while maintaining his athleticism. A high ceiling prospect that will rise up rankings and recruiting boards. Voted First Team all Mission League as a sophomore with 44 total tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 5.5 sacks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664287c6ccf04"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mikhal_johnson/status/1722140312179789870","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/mikhal_johnson/status/1722140312179789870 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->