Under the Radar 2026 Prospects: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the sleeper 2026 defensive prospects that could take off this season.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Littlejohn is a sleeper edge prospect out of Acalanes that could pop at any time. At 6'2” 200 lbs. he's an explosive athlete with good growth potential to add weight to his frame. He flashes excellent initial quickness out of his stance and can beat blockers off the edge with his speed or power at the POA. Possesses quick and active hands to fight off contact and shed blockers before the play develops. Extremely disruptive as a pass rusher being able to get into gaps and collapse the pocket. Athleticism and lateral quickness allows him to redirect and chase to close space on the ball carrier in the run game. He was a key piece to Acalanes state championship run finishing the season with 65 total tackles, eight sacks, and 18 TFL. Skillset could transition to either DE or LB depending on development and is deserves to see a bump in recruiting entering his junior season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dlittlez/status/1735114809639862701 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Fifita anchors the DL with his imposing presence in the middle at 6'6” 340 lbs. Massive frame that can hold ground and eat up space as a two-gap defender or use his athleticism to work around blockers in the short area. Size and natural strength allow him to control and overpower opponents at the contact point. Initiates heavy contact with well placed strikes and powerful hands to establish early positional leverage and disrupt blocking schemes. Plus lateral mobility and bend gives him the ability to chase inside the box and make plays working down the LOS. Picked up his first offer from Colorado State during the spring contact period and checks all the boxes to be a major D1 recruit going forward.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Well-rounded skillset that is equally effective in coverage or working downhill in run support. 5'10” 190 lbs. with the ability to play any spot in the secondary with his natural instincts and anticipation in coverage. He's a smooth athlete that is under control and flip his hips to transition out. High level recovery and closing speed. He's a tough and physical competitor that is smart in the angles he takes to the ball carrier. Can line up a guy in open space and bring heavy contact as a form tackler. Plus ball judgement skills and timing to go up to play the ball at the high point. Was a top performer at the SoCal PRZ Showcase this offseason. Transferred to Orange Lutheran out of Santa Margarita to play out his junior year. Projects as a nickel or safety at the next level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Mase_Reyes/status/1724863730511695884 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Impressive up and coming inside linebacker with major D1 size (6'2” 200 lbs.), length, and ability. Extremely active defender with advanced technique and fundamentals. Plays with good pad level leverage throughout his key and play diagnosis to the contact point. A good athlete with natural movement skills and short area acceleration to chase the ball. Limits wasted movement to take efficient angles to the ball. Great hand usage and lateral agility to shed blockers inside the box. Diagnoses plays quickly and triggers to break early on the ball. Big time sophomore season with 132 total tackle and 12 TFL while being selected second team all-league and was an all-state nominee. Watch as his recruiting takes off with a strong junior season at Sierra Canyon.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZamoranoRonen/status/1743771998839538165 </div></figure>