2026 Recruiting Notebook: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we are nearing toward the end of the regular season Prep Redzone Illinois caught up with a ton of the best junior prospects in the state to get the latest on their recruitments.&nbsp; That includes here in <strong>2026 Recruiting Notebook: Defense!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #2<br>Position Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rankin could be considered at either defensive back or wide receiver and is a top prospect at both positions.&nbsp; The schools he says are making him a top priority at this stage are Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Northwestern, Duke, and Indiana.&nbsp; All of the schools are open to him playing on either side of the ball and the Illini said he can play both if he wants.&nbsp; To this point he has taken visits to Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Indiana.&nbsp; Future dates set include trips to Louisville (Oct 19), and Nebraska (Nov 2), Wisconsin (Nov 16).&nbsp; Also in process of setting up visits to Michigan State, Minnesota, and Duke.&nbsp; He says he would like to decide by the end of next summer where he will be playing.&nbsp; Also still considering playing both football and hoops which some schools have left that option open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='801702' first='Jacob' last='Alexander'] (Lincoln Way East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #14<br>Position Ranking: #4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander is an edge rusher that has a ton of physical tools that make him very intriguing!&nbsp; The schools on him the heaviest right now are Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and USC.&nbsp; All have offered except USC.&nbsp; He has visited Michigan and Illinois this fall.&nbsp; Will trip back to see the Wolverines on October 26.&nbsp; Looking to make a decision in spring/early summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537245' first='Jayden' last='Marshall'] (Crete Monee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #38<br>Position Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall is the top ranked corner in the class of 2026.&nbsp; He says he is in communication with Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa State, Toledo, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, Penn, Columbia, Western Michigan, and Yale.&nbsp; Holds offers from Miami (OH) and Toledo.&nbsp; This season he has taken visits to Miami (OH), Illinois, Indiana, and Toledo.&nbsp; He is planning on taking trips to Toledo, Michigan, Iowa State, NIU, and Akron depending on how his playoff schedule pans out in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='401608' first='Ian' last='Campbell'] (Joliet Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #39<br>Position Ranking: #7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defender from JCA tells Redzone he is hearing most consistently from Akron, Northern Illinois, North Dakota, and Cornell.&nbsp; Akron has already extended an offer and he has visited the Zips this fall.&nbsp; Will trip to NIU on October 19 for a game day visit.&nbsp; Kent State and North Dakota are trying to get him on campus as well.&nbsp; Would like to make a call coming into his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='212321' first='Tanner' last='Glock'] (Wheaton St. Francis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #44<br>Position Ranking: #3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glock is a versatile two way athlete that can impact in a variety of ways.&nbsp; He will be attending visits to Miami (OH) on October 26 and Central Michigan on November 16.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1399953' first='Luke' last='Karras'] (Casey Westfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #48<br>Position Ranking: #5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karras plays both running back and linebacker.&nbsp; He tells Redzone that he has talked to Illinois, Illinois State, and Western Michigan.&nbsp; No offers as of yet.&nbsp; He has visited or attended camps at Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and Illinois State.&nbsp; Will be visiting Illinois on October 19 and Western Michigan on October 26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='801701' first='Jonathan' last='Rulo'] (Belleville East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #49<br>Position Ranking: #9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have seen this defensive lineman be a game wrecker on multiple occasions this season.&nbsp; He says that Illinois and Iowa are showing him quite a bit of interest although neither has offered yet.&nbsp; He has visited Illinois, Iowa, and Mizzou.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='801698' first='Jaden' last='Weaver'] (Sandburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #50<br>Position Ranking: #10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weaver is a very intriguing defensive lineman that tells us he is talking with Kansas State, Illinois, Indiana, Western Michigan, and Michigan.&nbsp; Western Michigan is the only school that has offered.&nbsp; He has visited all of the schools above this fall along with Notre Dame.&nbsp; Has a trip in the works to Iowa State.&nbsp; Would like to make a college choice this upcoming spring or summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='801886' first='Travis' last='Dudycha'] (Huntley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #51<br>Position Ranking: #11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dudycha is a very talented defensive lineman that tells us he is chatting with Northern Illinois, Miami (OH), Penn, Western Michigan, and Lindenwood.&nbsp; He holds an offer from Miami (OH) and has visited Northern Illinois.&nbsp; Plans on taking a trip soon to Miami (OH) and has been invited to check out Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Penn, Harvard, Eastern Illinois, and Lindenwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399965' first='Munkh' last='Tsog'] (Glenbrook South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #52<br>Position Ranking: #12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tsog is an intriguing edge rusher that tells us he visited Northwestern this summer for their camp along with camps at North Central and Western Illinois.&nbsp; He has visited Northern Illinois this fall for a game.&nbsp; Plans on visiting Miami (OH) in the near future</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->