Preseason All-Arkansas : Third Team Defense

<p>With preseason practices in full swing and less than a month until the kickoff of week 0, the excitement of high school football in Arkansas is heightened once again. Over the coming weeks, we'll unveil our All-Arkansas selections, starting today with our picks for the third-team defense.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">DEFENSIVE LINE</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1134117' first='Noah' last='Wendel'] | Valley View | 2026</h2>   <p>"Valley View has a history of producing talented players at the linebacker position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134117' first='Noah' last='Wendel']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/noah-wendel/"></a> is the next linebacker coming up through the ranks for Valley View. Wendel reads the play well and puts himself in a position to bring down the ball carrier. He is able to use his quickness to get away from blocks. Wendel plugs up the rushing lanes and he is a linebacker that can pressure the opposing quarterback. Wendel had a strong camp performance at the Oklahoma State camp over the weekend. He is a player with the potential to have a big 2024 season. Keep an eye on him" - Tom Tabler (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/putting-in-the-work-15/">Putting in the Work</a>)</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/wendel_noah/status/1817620263694987487 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='893510' first='Keagan' last='Sanderson'] | Salem | 2026</h2>   <p>"[player_tooltip player_id='893510' first='Keagan' last='Sanderson'], standing at 5'8″ and weighing 185 pounds, commands the field as a formidable tempo-setter for the Salem Greyhounds. Operating from the outside of the formation, Sanderson excels in creating leverage against opposing tackles, swiftly penetrating the pocket from the edge. He initiates plays with a burst of energy, propelled by his physicality and strong handwork, showcasing a diverse array of moves. Sanderson's impact extends beyond the line of scrimmage; he's a forceful tackler, often delivering punishing hits to unsuspecting ball carriers, particularly in the backfield. His exceptional talent frequently draws double-team assignments, but Sanderson adeptly counters with a wedge attack, exploiting gaps in the defense. A player of remarkable strength and intelligence, Sanderson possesses immense potential, making him a standout with his versatile skill set." - Jace Dunegan <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/under-the-radar-northeast-arkansas/">(Under the Radar: Northeast Arkansas)</a></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/Keagan_s50/status/1813280797216108818 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='186548' first='Landon' last='Canady'] | Little Rock Parkview | 2025</h2>   <p>"Every time that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='186548' first='Landon' last='Canady']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-canady/"></a> steps on the field, people take notice. He is an explosive defensive lineman that has no trouble getting into the opposing offensive backfield. Canady uses his strength to drive opposing blockers back into the offensive backfield. He is a versatile prospect that can play all along the defensive front for the Patriots. Canady had a great showing in Dallas and finished runner up along the defensive front. He has the potential for a strong 2024 football season." - Tom Tabler <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/putting-in-the-work-5/">(Putting in the Work</a>)</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/samspiegs/status/1784598112188670392 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">LINEBACKER</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='585569' first='Walter' last='Hicks'] | Benton | 2025</h2>   <p>"One season ago, [player_tooltip player_id='585569' first='Walter' last='Hicks'] earned all-conference honors for the Benton Panthers. He is a linebacker that plays all over the field. Hicks has good speed and gets sideline to sideline quickly. He gets away from blocks and to the ball carrier in the blink of an eye. Hicks had a strong performance this week in the camp that Arkansas-Monticello hosted. The talented linebacker earned a scholarship offer from Arkansas-Monticello on Friday. I expect Hicks to have a strong season for the Panthers in 2024." - Tom Tabler (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/recruiting-news-and-notes-23/">Recruiting News and Notes</a>)</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/WalterHicks2025/status/1816928637423063118 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='507120' first='Zion' last='Smith'] | Little Rock Mills | 2025</h2>   <p>"<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='507120' first='Zion' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zion-smith-2/"></a> displays good read-and-react ability, complemented by a quick initial step. He demonstrates his speed and power when attacking downhill, taking good angles and shedding blockers with ease. He shows a solid understanding of zone coverage, maintaining coverage underneath and effectively playing the ball to force pass break-ups. His combination of power, hand technique, bend, and athleticism enable him to be a consistent presence on the edge." - Colton Edwards (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/little-rock-mills-comets-ar-2024-team-preview/">Little Rock Mills 2024 Team Preview</a>)</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/ZIONSMITH_21/status/1801443035667947843 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nickolus Tyler | Joe T. Robinson | 2025</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NickolusTyler/status/1816587778966147372 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">DEFENSIVE BACK</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='855568' first='Tari' last='Ransom Jr']. | Maumelle | 2026</h2>   <p>"<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='855568' first='Tari' last='Ransom Jr']</strong>. is a ball hawk known for his athleticism and ability to cover the entire field. Rated as the 25th overall player and the top at his position in Arkansas for the class of 2026 by Prep Redzone, Ransom exhibits good diagnostic abilities, quickly reading and reacting, and breaking on the ball effectively at the catch point to force a PBU. He plays aggressively and physically, demonstrating a strong sense in both man and zone coverage, coupled with the ability to change direction and lateral agility for smooth transitions. His open-field tackling is solid, marked by good awareness and angles." - Colton Edwards (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/june-rankings-update-2026-defensive-backs/">June Rankings Update: 2026 Defensive Backs</a>)</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/RansomJr5/status/1801416101479264343 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='451342' first='Davian' last='Hall'] | Elkins | 2025</h2>   <p>"The Elkins defensive back is a prospect that has the versatility to play all over the field for the Elks. With the dead period coming to a close, Hall has a busy few days on the agenda. To close out the week this week, Hall will be attending the Arkansas Tech camp as well as the Southeast Missouri State camp. He is a prospect to watch out for over the next few months. I expect a big season from the Elkins defensive back this season." - Tom Tabler (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/recruiting-news-and-notes-21/">Recruiting News and Notes</a>)</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/Davian_Hall4/status/1818749107718308085 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1135355' first='DJ' last='Franklin'] | Little Rock Southwest | 2025</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='176357' first='Keytrone' last='Green'] | Maumelle | 2025</h2>   <p>"<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176357' first='Keytrone' last='Green']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/keytrone-green/"></a> showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor with versatility in the secondary. Green is the 24th rated overall player and 4th overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2025. He displays good speed, athleticism with good diagnostic skills as he can key in on the quarterback's eyes while reading and reacting instantly to make a play on the ball. Good hip fluidity to transition and attack, sticking with his man in zone or man coverage. Good ball tracking skills to force a PBU or INT at the catch point. Attacks downhill in run support with impressive open field tackling, angles and technique." - Colton Edwards (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/june-rankings-update-2025-defensive-backs/">June Rankings: 2025 Defensive Backs</a>)</p>

With preseason practices in full swing and less than a month until the kickoff of week 0, the excitement of high school football in Arkansas is heightened once again. Over the coming weeks, we'll unveil our All-Arkansas selections, starting today with our picks for the third-team defense.