#TN2026 Watch List: Top Defensive Talent (Part Three)
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The crop of defensive talent is so deep for our junior class that we had to do a third part. We present ten more defenders that we feel are destined for the next level with some brief breakdowns on the…
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Continue ReadingThe crop of defensive talent is so deep for our junior class that we had to do a third part. We present ten more defenders that we feel are destined for the next level with some brief breakdowns on the abilities & more!
(DT) Kobie Collins Kobie Collins 6'3" | 320 lbs | DL Lipscomb Academy | 2026 TN – Lipscomb Academy
– Could Collins be the next stud to come off the line and out of the Mustangs football program? That’s very possible as this rising junior brings beef and size (6’3 325) to the trenches that translates well to the collegiate game and Collins is still far from a finished product, so his best days are certainly ahead. He is also having to bide his time before he becomes “the guy” up front as he sits behind two senior studs that are headed for Power Four football. Collins should gain more experience this season, providing depth and getting his snaps in when called upon while continuing to develop at a proper rate. The size and football talents are there for Collins, so expect to hear more about this trench monster over the next two years.
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(DL) Charles Sullins Charles Sullins 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Southwind | 2026 State TN – Southwind
– Sullins has been in the defensive line rotation at Southwind since he began his high school career and we could be in-store for his best season yet. Looking over his film and off-season clips, the Jags junior D-lineman shows a versatile skill set that can be placed in several roles across the defensive front. Sullins has a mature pass rush about himself that causes fits for offensive linemen. He shows a fast get-off and quick burst into on film, using his hand work and lower base agility to consistently get into the backfield. Where he needs development is with his weight and overall size. Right now, Sullins looks to fit best within a 3-4 defense where he can rush on the edge with the occasional work at the 3-technique. Either way, this is a talented D-lineman that should be ready to breakout this Fall.
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(DL) Yahya Gaad Yahya Gaad 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL South Gibson | 2026 TN – South Gibson
– If you want a D-lineman that loves the weight room and immediately looks the part walking off the bus, Gaad is your guy! This West Tennessee talent is well put together physically along with the overall size to compete and excel on the big stage of college football. What you like about Gaad when you turn on his film is his ability to get off the line and get into the backfield quickly, using both his athleticism and physicality to do so. His upper body strength and powerful hands present problems for opposing O-linemen but Gaad can also bring the finesse too when called upon. Continuing to learn the game and develop properly is where Gaad is at right now and if he keeps progressing like he has this off-season, Power Four schools will get involved sooner than later.
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(LB) Vidale Cothran Vidale Cothran 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB First Assembly | 2026 State TN – First Assembly
– The Crusaders have increased their collection of talent over the past two years with Cothran being at the top as one guy who could play his way into D1 status. Standing 6 ‘3 210 pounds, this Memphis area linebacker has the look and feel of an edge linebacker that could play with his hand in the dirt and stand up in space. He shows an excellent get-off but what I like most about Cothran is his balance and bend around the corner. Coming from our sophomore class, Cothran shows some of the best pure pass rush upside among our defensive prospects but he is still far from a finished product. The Crusaders junior needs to continue packing on more size if he wants to contend and play on the big stage of college ball. He has the frame to it and if all the weight falls into place, Cothran could develop into one of the best pass rushers from the #TN2026 class.
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(LB) Kyrin Coleman Kyrin Coleman 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Pope John Paul II | 2026 TN – Pope Prep
– This Mid-Tennessee product is one of the more intriguing prospects mentioned in this article due to me not knowing exactly where Coleman will play on the collegiate level. The Knights junior defender is a strong, compact guy that has nice physical build that could work at either edge or middle linebacker. Coleman shows an aggressive style of play on film with some quick instincts and burst towards the ball. He also shows nice bend and the ability to get around the corner as an edge rusher as well. This coming Fall season will be a strong indicator to me on where this #TN2026 linebacker is with his progression and how much growth he has done throughout the off-season. I like how this guy plays, so it will be fun to watch him come into his own as the Knights top defensive prospect.
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(DB) Josh Sims Josh Sims 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Pearl Cohn | 2026 TN – Pearl Cohn
– The Firebirds consistently put out top level defensive backs and Sims is the next one in line with the potential to become one of the best ever, if he continues to develop at the rate he currently is. Athleticism and speed are the first things you notice when scouting this Nashville area defender. Sims is a track guy and it shows as the Firebirds junior can run, sporting the skill set and talent to play cover corner on the collegiate gridiron. If cornerback doesn’t work out, his natural athletic abilities allow him to potentially develop at nickelback or safety as well. College coaches already see the upside as Sims has landed 15 plus offers to this point with several of them coming from the Power Four level. If he puts forth a breakout junior year, Sims could turn himself into a national recruit.
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(DB) Jayden Rush Jayden Rush 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB FRA | 2026 TN – Franklin Road Academy
– The Panthers have put out some P4 and D1 guys into college over the past few years and Rush could be the next one. He already holds a few offers in hand and I think he is just scratching the surface of what he can become over the next two years. Rush is an athletic guy with a well built body that allows him to play physical versus the run but also with his athleticism, he has the range to chase down the ball from anywhere. His instincts are on point and his ability to track the ball in the air are veteran like. Rush does need to continuing learning the game and sharpening up his tools but the athletic upside is there to watch this Nashville based safety turn into a potential Top 10 defensive back for the #TN2026 class.
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(DB) Omari Bledsoe Omari Bledsoe 6'4" | 180 lbs | DB Lipscomb Academy | 2026 TN – Lipscomb Academy
– Tall and long with a wide radius, Bledsoe is one of the more physically gifted guys we have coming out of our junior defensive back class. His size is an immediate problem for opposing receivers but his athleticism and length give him a shot to compete with top level pass catchers as well. Looking over his film, the Mustangs junior defender shows upside to possibly play cover corner in college but at worst, Bledsoe can drop back to safety and develop nicely. It will be interesting to see his progression this Fall as Bledsoe has returned to Lipscomb after a stint at Smyrna with the opportunity to carve out a starting role on one of the top defenses in the state. He already holds several top offers but his work this Fall could lead to bigger opportunities.
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(Ath) Colton Nabors Colton Nabors 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Lausanne | 2026 State TN – Lausanne
– Nabors heads into his junior season as a guy still looking to make a name for himself but the talent and opportunity will be there for this Memphis area prospect to step into a bigger role this year and excel. Sporting good size with natural athletic abilities, Nabors has a chance to develop on either side of the ball but for me, I personally like this guy best on defense at safety. I think his athleticism, instincts and size translate well to safety and that’s a position I think Nabors can develop as a potential starter on the college level. Much will need to be done this Summer and Fall for Nabors to fulfill his potential but I think he can get there, especially playing for one of the top programs in the West Tennessee region.
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(Ath) Deameion Leavell Deameion Leavell 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH Clinton | 2026 TN – Clinton
– Athletic with some quick twitch flashes, Leavell is a two-way talent that could develop on either side of the ball but to me, his film shows tremendous upside for defense. What I like about this East Tennessee product is his quick and sudden movements along with some strong instincts that could be developed at cover corner. Leavell has good ball skills and speed that I think could work well at cornerback but at worst, the Dragons junior could develop nicely and excel at nickel or free safety. Where I think Leavell brings value as well is on special teams where he could be an excellent gunner. This Fall should be a breakout party for Leavell as he steps into a bigger role and will be asked to produce on both sides of the ball at a high level.