2026 Rankings Update – Defensive New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These defensive prospects have debuted in our newest rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. They truly impressed our staff as we delve into our analysis below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1565406"],"_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-6760e49a857dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1565406' first='Julian' last='Arroyos'] ranks seventh on our board for his position. He caught everyone's attention in 2024 with his skills. Arroyos displays a solid burst off the snap and effectively uses his hands to quickly read and shed blocks. He consistently makes plays at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. His solid pad level, lower body strength, and active feet allow him to generate pressure on every play. Additionally, he has a sideline-to-sideline motor and good foot speed, which enables him to pursue ball carriers effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 5.12 40</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/ykitsjulian">https://x.com/ykitsjulian</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561638"],"_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-6760e49a8586c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1561638' first='Joe' last='Washington'] is ranks 32nd on our board at his position. He shows a good burst off the snap and effectively uses his hands to quickly read and shed blocks. He consistently makes plays at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. His solid pad level and good lower body strength enable him to generate pressure on every play. Washington has an impressive bull-rush and swim move to attack the OL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 3.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/Joewashington67">https://x.com/Joewashington67</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580443"],"_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-6760e49a858df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1580443' first='Gabe' last='Schroeder'] is an underrated safety known for his hard-hitting style and ability to cover the entire field. In the 2024 season, he recorded a total of 100 tackles, including 45 solo tackles, along with 4 pass breakups (PBUs), 3 interceptions (INTs), and 3 tackles for loss (TFLs). Schroeder demonstrates solid angles when pursuing the ball carrier and showcases good field vision when reading plays. His ability to react quickly allows him to arrive at the catch point and successfully force either a PBU or an INT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/gabeschroeder_1">https://x.com/gabeschroeder_1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580446"],"_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-6760e49a8594c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1580446' first='Ryan' last='Blackwell'] is ranked number 11 among edge rushers in his first initial ranking. He is a quick and lengthy athlete who knows how to contain the edge and make plays in the backfield. Blackwell shows solid burst off the snap, applying pressure and making plays at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. He also works sideline to sideline to chase down ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 49 tackles, 6 TFLs &amp; 4 Sacks in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/Ryannn_901">https://x.com/Ryannn_901</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1455283"],"_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-6760e49a859cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1455283' first='Marques' last='Thorns'] is an impressive athletic prospect known for his physicality at the point of attack. He possesses a good sideline-to-sideline motor and takes solid angles when pursuing ball carriers. Additionally, Thorns exhibits good footwork and fluid backpedaling, allowing him to flip his hips effectively during transitions. He also demonstrates strong read-and-react skills, along with good change of direction (COD), balance, and burst, which enable him to arrive at the catch point in time to force a pass breakup (PBU).</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/marques_thorns">https://x.com/marques_thorns</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->