2026 Rankings Update: Defensive Linemen Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 defensive linemen with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the defensive linemen, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2406","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6763853eb847b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261127"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6763853eb9ec6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malachi McDonald had an outstanding season in 2024, racking in 30 tackles (24 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hits, 3 sacks, and 2 pressures. McDonald is a versatile prospect who can position from the 0-4 tech. He possesses good lower body strength and power, establishing himself as a formidable presence in the interior with good quickness off the LOS. He displays good upfield burst off the LOS, creating leverage with good hand placement to overpower his opponents or shed blocks quickly, generating pressure in the pocket and backfield. His foot quickness and timing with his hands are consistently effective, causing disruption against both the run and pass by shedding quickly. McDonald has good pad level as he can win bull rushes consistently, putting pressure into the pocket and delivering strong punches to disrupt the rhythm of blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/MalachiMCDO07">https://x.com/MalachiMCDO07</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884532"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6763853eb9f25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='884532' first='Roderick' last='Williams'] continues to rise, now landing at 14th in the position. Williams displays good upfield burst off the line of scrimmage, penetrating into the backfield quickly. He gains leverage underneath to push his opponents back toward the quarterback or ball carrier. Williams can generate pressure by bull-rushing and quickly shedding blockers with his use of hands. He also dominates on the offensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/Roderick_w64">https://x.com/Roderick_w64</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806368"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6763853eb9f6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='806368' first='Cedarius' last='Miller'] ranks 15th in his position. He demonstrates a solid burst off the line of scrimmage and exhibits solid footwork and pad level, which enable him to drive his opponent back into the pocket to create pressure. Additionally, he displays solid hand placement and timing, enhancing his leverage on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em><strong>Offer List: Arkansas Baptist, Framingham State &amp; Hardeeville</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.4 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/CedariusMiller">https://x.com/CedariusMiller</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1389774"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6763853eb9fb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1389774' first='Desmond' last='Golden'] is an underrated force in the trenches, ranking at number 40 in his position. He consistently draws double teams and creates pressure on nearly every play. Golden demonstrates solid quickness off the snap, along with solid pad level, hand placement, and lower body strength, which allow him to drive the offensive linemen back into the pocket or disengage from blocks to make plays at the line of scrimmage. He effectively uses his upper body strength to engage and extend his reach, enabling him to shed blocks and react quickly to the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/DesGoldenChild">https://x.com/DesGoldenChild</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1327522"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6763853eba003"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1327522' first='Jaquavian' last='Baker'] has secured the 40th ranked position. He demonstrates solid quickness and athleticism off the LOS. Baker explodes off the line of scrimmage with solid pad level and hand placement, allowing him to establish leverage and shed blocks quickly. This enables him to effectively penetrate the backfield. He is capable of moving between the 3-tech and 7-tech positions, where he creates disruption with his speed and power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/jaquavianbaker5">https://x.com/jaquavianbaker5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER TOP 100 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - [player_tooltip player_id='413517' first='Anthony' last='Kennedy'] (Maumelle)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 - [player_tooltip player_id='1216596' first='Danny' last='Beale'] (Cross County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 - [player_tooltip player_id='928532' first='Kellen' last='Wrona'] (Bentonville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 - [player_tooltip player_id='1305652' first='Cody' last='Johnson'] (Greenwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 - [player_tooltip player_id='1035451' first='Emmanuel' last='Hudson'] (Pine Bluff)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7 - [player_tooltip player_id='288456' first='Ray' last='J Hunter'] (North Little Rock)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8 - [player_tooltip player_id='401209' first='Terrance' last='Ellis'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9 - [player_tooltip player_id='565779' first='Zaccheus' last='Harris'] (Nashville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->