Unranked Talent: Ten Kansas 2026 Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Redzone Kansas rankings will continue to grow in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All week I have featured defenders in the Kansas Class of 2026 who posted large numbers of tackles as juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at 10 unranked athletes who finished with at least 75 tackles this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athlete profiles have been created for each of these athletes. Athletes are encouraged to claim their <strong>FREE </strong>profiles and add contact information and video highlights which college coaches can access. Here is a link athletes can use to claim their profiles <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585146' first='Nick' last='Allen'],</strong> EDGE, 6'1”, 160, Rock Creek ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Creek' Allen is a versatile defender who can play as a down lineman or as a backer. He finished his junior season with 97 tackles in 10 games.  Seven of his tackles resulted in lost yardage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585150' first='Connor' last='Martin'],</strong> LB, 6'2”, 175, Republic County, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Buffaloes junior finished his season with 95 total tackles in nine games. He recorded 10.5 TFLs, two quarterback sacks, two interceptions, and he forced two fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585156' first='Zayne' last='Keller'],</strong> LB, 5'11”, 175, Medicine Lodge, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keller is an unranked prospect from Medicine Lodge. In 10 games for the Indians, he collected 92 tackles. He finished with 13 TFLs and two interceptions,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585162' first='Jack' last='Macke'],</strong> DB, 6'3”, 170, Nemaha Central, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macke was a key member of the Thunder's defense. During his junior season, he collected 88 tackles, 13 TFLs, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery in 13 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585165' first='Daniel' last='Neenan'],</strong> LB/DB, 5'9”, 175, Bishop Miege, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neenan can play either linebacker position and can be used in coverage in a nickel defense. He finished his junior season with 88 tackles, three quarterback sacks, nine TFLs, and one interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585166' first='Hunter' last='Jennings'],</strong> LB, 5'9”, 185, Maize, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jennings is a hardnose linebacker. He recorded 81 tackles and two interceptions for the Eagles. He also plays catcher for the Maize baseball squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585167' first='Jack' last='Schreiner'],</strong> ATH, 5'9”, 165, Medicine Lodge, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schreiner is a versatile athlete who will do what it takes to help his team win. Last season he was used as a passer, ball carrier, and a receiving threat on offense. He can play linebacker or defensive back on defense. His stat line as a junior included 78 tackles, nine TFLs, one interception, 159 rushing yards, and 11 receptions in 10 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585169' first='Kamden' last='Schmitz'],</strong> ATH, 6'2”, 170, Nemaha Central, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmitz recorded 78 tackles in 13 games for the Thunder. He also made nine receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown. He registered three TFLs and one pass breakup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585171' first='Ja'Mari' last='Bland'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 215, Wichita Northwest, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bland is a linebacker who can stop the run and play coverage. During his junior season, he tallied 76 tackles, one quarterback sack, and two interceptions for the Grizzlies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585174' first='Brody' last='Chambers'],</strong> DL/OL, 6'1”, 280, Southeast Saline, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers was a leader in the trenches for the Class 2A State Champions. He recorded 77 tackles and an eye-popping 22 tackles for lost yardage. He sacked opposing quarterbacks six times and recovered one fumble for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->