2026 Virginia Rankings Review Defensive Lineman 6-10
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Hayden Loveless VA #41 DL #6 HEIGHT 6'1" WEIGHT 280 POS DL CLASS 2026 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Hayden Loveless Class 2026 Position DL Height 6'1" Weight 280 HS Battlefield | VA 2026 Virginia Rankings Review Defensive…
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Continue ReadingBattlefield is regarded as one of the favorites in Class 6 in regards to the State Championship, so it is not a surprise to see the Bobcats all over our rankings. The highest ranked for this class is defensive tackle Hayden Loveless Hayden Loveless 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Battlefield | 2026 State VA who if you are not familiar with you are about to be, here is what I wrote on him last month:
Speaking of Battlefield 2026s receiving high remarks, defensive tackle Hayden Loveless Hayden Loveless 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Battlefield | 2026 State VA is a name to know. Loveless is a bull right off the snap he gets his pad level down and can beat you with a plethora of pass rushing moves. Incredibly stout against the run he is a matchup problem for offensive lineman especially when you have worry about Cameron Binkowski Cameron Binkowski 6'1" | 225 lbs | DL Battlefield | 2025 State VA on the outside. The two combined for nearly 40 sacks last fall and are set for even higher numbers as the Bobcats march towards a Class 6 state title.
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Not far behind Loveless on our top 100 is Jefferson Forest standout Slade Keesee Slade Keesee 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Jefferson Forest | 2026 State VA . He has a ton of potential that should lead to FCS or higher level offers after his junior season. Starting along the line for two seasons Keesee makes plays for the Cavaliers, even taking one screen pass to the house off the edge! He is incredibly quick off the snap and is very active with his hands, I think within the first two minutes of his tape I counted 5 batted passes.
Good closing speed too, I can see why he is used at tight end too, his hands are on point. Bright future ahead for Keesee quite frankly I wish he was closer to my territory in Virginia as he is fun to watch, check out his tape below.
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Really like the progression Skipwith is on he is a powerful and quick defensive tackle that gets his hands on the football. A excellent first step off the snap, playing alongside a very talented defensive line Skipwith has a knack for standing out. I see he is projecting to notch over 10 sacks this year and honestly I believe it, he is lightning fast off the snap and has a plethora of pass rushing moves that are difficult to contain. The contact period for 2026s just began this weekend, I would expect him by week 1 to have multiple division 1 level offers.
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Notching 2nd team all Liberty District honors as a sophomore Herndon’s Khaleel Gbey Khaleel Gbey 6'3" | 280 lbs | DL Herndon | 2026 State VA is one of our biggest rankings riser for the entire 2026 class. A very nimble nose guard/defensive tackle for the Hornet, Gbey is light on his feet at 6’3 and 280 lbs. he is also a very smart football player. You do not see him over pursuit on the run and he you can catch him many times stopping screen passes and blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage.
This kid is just getting started and he will be playing alongside a defense that should have multiple FBS level starters. The ceiling is high for Gbey one that should lead to interest from FCS coaches our higher this summer.
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Playing out of the VISAA Benedictine Yeshua Matala-Tala is a state champion and all conference defensive lineman, he is eager for more. He is athletic enough to play tackle or end for the Cadets, but I enjoy most when they line him at nose guard. His handwork is excellent and his grown man strength cannot be ignored, particularly when he is bench pressing his double team blockers out of his way.