#TN2026 Watch List: Top Defensive Talent (Part Two)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Staying in the lab, looking into our rising junior class, here we continue to look at some of the top defensive talent that we feel are destined for the college level and how they look as players headed into the 2024 season. </h2>     (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1206250' first='Danny' last=''] Brown - Lipscomb Academy    - The next stud coming off the Mustangs defensive line could be this guy. A 6'4 230 pound defensive end that shows the strength and edge speed to become a steady pass rusher on the collegiate level. Brown is an active ball player that plays with good balance along with a mature pass rush that will only get better the more he grows and develops. At this moment in his career, Brown works better versus the run as he does a good job of stacking blockers, shedding them and then chasing down the ball with an active motor. If the Mustangs junior D-lineman can increase his speed, his stock will begin to soar as a potential Top 40 in-state prospect.    - - - - -    (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='927765' first='A.J.' last='Westfield'] - Cleveland   - It's hard to find defensive tackles that bring the combination of athleticism, power and speed to the field but Westfield is a guy that has it and he is just now touching the base of his potential. The Blue Raiders junior D-lineman shows excellent clips on film of what he can become in the college game and that's a quick get-off interior pass rusher that works equally well versus the run and the pass. Westfield is a strong dude that can shed blocks and get into the backfield quickly. His presence can be fearsome, so imagine what Westfield can be with further maturity. He does need to continue filling out his body and continuing to add in the power but the raw tools are there to become a Top 40 in-state prospect and one of the better defensive talents from the #TN2026 class.    - - - - -    (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1154536' first='Iverson' last='Garcia'] - Powell   - Garcia is already picking up buzz on the recruiting trail with the addition of recent offers, so he must back that up and keep building this Fall as his team's possible top college prospect. What could make that status true is if Garcia is able to continue progressing like he has this off-season and transform himself into a violent, active guy from the interior of the D-line that is seen on film. The Panthers junior D-lineman shows flashes of explosive play along with the upside to become an excellent interior pass rusher on the collegiate level. Garcia has enough athleticism that he could switch out to the edge and play defensive end if needed. That versatility along with his pass rushing potential makes Garcia a must watch guy to watch from the #TN2026 class.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='813499' first='Dre' last='Walker'] - Crockett Co.   - This West Tennessee talent may be one of the more intriguing defensive prospects on this list as early on, Walker gained steam on the recruiting with an offer from TCU but for months now, things have been quiet. What put this guy on the map early was because of his size, speed combo along with his upside to handle either linebacker role in college. Over the past few weeks, I've seen more clips on Walker at tight end than anything else, which shows you the athleticism he brings to the field. Coming from a small program like Crockett County, Walker will have every chance to establish himself as the top talent on the field each week and push the narrative forward on his upside on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker. It will be interesting to watch this guy's progression over the coming year to see where he takes his game and how good he can become.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dree_walker/status/1787636308908650768 </div></figure>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospect-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2026&commitment=">#TN2026 Prospect Database</a>   - - - - -   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='402569' first='Zach' last='Gilbert'] - Ooltewah   - Gilbert is one name in this article that doesn't have the buzz as many others on this list but he could in time as he continues to develop and grow into a potential high volume edge pass rusher. The Owls junior linebacker shows excellent athletic abilities and lower body explosion on film that translate well to the college game along with potential to handle both linebacker roles on defense. This is a twitchy guy that shows “wow” type body movements throughout his highlights as well as a nice burst off the snap to get into the backfield quickly. There is a lot of growth to go for Gilbert but the raw tools are certainly there to become a Top 10 in-state linebacker for the #TN2026 class.    - - - - -    (CB) [player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith'] - McCallie   - If you want to find someone that has “elite” written all over him, Smith is your guy! This East Tennessee talent, who recently transferred to McCallie, could be one of the best cornerback prospects in the country and that includes all recruiting classifications. Sporting size (6 '1) length and lower base agility, Smith shows all the traits to become a lockdown cover corner on the collegiate level and the potential to take his talents beyond that. His addition to the Blue Tornado defense immediately makes them a force to watch this Fall as Smith can lock down one side of the field and force opposing offenses to look elsewhere. Just about every Power Four school is after Smith, so expect to hear more and more about this junior defensive back over the coming year.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/chastonsmith_4/status/1789657801859510604 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='492562' first='Justin' last='Hopkins'] - Ensworth   - Hopkins could be the next great defensive back prospect to come out of the Ensworth program, which has produced a lot of D1, Power Four defenders throughout the years with maybe this rising junior having the most upside. What I like most about Hopkins is his natural athleticism and ability to possibly play cover corner on the next level. This is a twitchy guy with good lower base agility and quick feet that translate well to the college game. If playing on the outside doesn't work out for Hopkins, he will be fine as he could easily excel at nickelback or free safety. The Tigers junior defensive back holds 15 plus offers with several of them coming from Power Four schools, so Hopkins is without question a top tier defensive recruit from our in-state junior class.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103508' first='Jamarcus' last='Watkins'] - Clarksville   - Last year as a sophomore, Watkins gained significant experience as the Wildcats top cover corner and he handled himself very well, showing off upside that translates to the D1 level. This Mid-Tennessee product is an aggressive competitor that has no problem being physical. What allows Watkins to remain physical throughout a game is due to his high football intelligence and lower base agility. He shows excellence instincts along with the willingness to tackle, which makes him an intriguing option for both cover corner and nickelback. Vanderbilt was the first school to offer the Wildcats defender and they won't be the last as I expect Watkins to remain a Top 10 prospect at his position moving forward.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='816053' first='Keshawn' last='Mills'] - Bearden   - After some off-season subtractions, Mills steps to the forefront as one of the Bulldogs top overall prospects and someone that will be given a shot to excel on both sides of the ball but I personally like his upside best at safety. Mills is a versatile defender that could develop at either safety while providing snaps down at nickelback if needed. His natural athletic abilities is what puts Mills at the top of the list for me when it comes to diagnosing potential safeties and their upside for the college game. I think his best football days are ahead of him and I believe you will start seeing that progression come true this Fall where Mills can establish himself as one of the best safeties in the state and a potential Top 50 in-state player for the rising junior class.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1103009' first='Javonte' last='Smith'] - Jackson North-Side   - Holding offers in hand from Kentucky, Liberty and Vanderbilt, this West Tennessee product is already working towards establishing himself as a top in-state prospect but at what position will Smith play in college? That's a good question because I myself am still diagnosing this guy to see where he plays in college and right now, I'm leaning towards the secondary. Smith is a natural athlete that could develop on either side of the ball but his height, length and lower base explosion fits well as a potential cover corner or free safety. His development and progression will be key over the next year to see where Smith takes his game and continues to boost his college stock.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/javonte_smith1/status/1709568108933869769 </div></figure>