2026 Defensive Studs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five guys that have impressed defensively who need to be tabbed going forward for camp season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1455283' first='Marques' last='Thorns'] | Defensive Back | White Hall</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1455283' first='Marques' last='Thorns'] (5-10, 185) is a hard-hitting safety who thrives on delivering impactful, highlight-worthy tackles. He demonstrates excellent awareness in running situations, providing valuable support in the box. Thorns is a fundamentally sound open-field tackler, showing proper breakdowns and technique to secure stops. His physicality and presence make him a solid asset in the defensive backfield, with notable potential for growth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bubba Williams | Defensive Back | Magnolia</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bubba Williams (6-2) is a high-motor defender with an impressive frame and relentless energy. His anticipation in short routes is remarkable, allowing him to jump screens, slants, and shallow patterns with precision. As a nickel, he excels against the run, consistently delivering tackles for loss and shutting down the perimeter. Williams also demonstrates excellent angles and closing speed, making him a reliable solo tackler and a key defensive asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marcus Haynes | Defensive Lineman | North Little Rock</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marcus Haynes demonstrates impressive initial quickness and footwork at the snap, consistently generating backfield pressure and disruption. His ability to anticipate the snap, combined with a versatile arsenal of moves at the point of attack, makes him a constant threat on the defensive line. Haynes showcases exceptional closing speed and quick gap-shooting skills, allowing him to disrupt running games effectively. His high motor stands out as he relentlessly chases plays downfield and fights through double teams at the line of scrimmage to remain impactful on every snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='910087' first='Kevin' last='Pope'] | Linebacker | Pine Bluff</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='910087' first='Kevin' last='Pope'] is a 6'1”, 225-pound linebacker who is recognized for his exceptional ability to anticipate running lanes, leading to frequent tackles for loss on interior plays. As a tone-setting linebacker, Pope takes precise angles toward ball carriers and exhibits impressive speed upon contact. His lateral footwork and quickness in shooting gaps enhance his effectiveness in disrupting offensive schemes. Pope's intuitive understanding of inside run plays, combined with his solid solo tackling technique, underscores his potential as a formidable defensive presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kevinpope870/status/1871990751221199097?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kevinpope870/status/1871990751221199097?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1286615' first='Keyvion' last='Duckery'] | Defensive Back | Hamburg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1286615' first='Keyvion' last='Duckery'], a 5'9”, 145-pound defensive back, is recognized for his ability to effectively eliminate receivers, showcasing solid lateral footwork and ball-tracking skills. His quick and precise backpedal, combined with explosive forward movement, enhances his coverage on underneath routes and allows him to read wide receivers' cuts effectively. Duckery's positioning on deep routes, coupled with his solid closing speed and adept swipe techniques at the point of catch, make him a formidable presence in the defensive backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 2024-2025 season, Duckery recorded 27 solo tackles, 43 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->