Film Room: 2026 Chicago Defensive Lineman

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the offseason we will be breaking down the film of all the top prospects from across the state ahead of our massive 2026 rankings update in the upcoming months!&nbsp; Here is a look at some of the defensive lineman in the 2026 class in <strong>Film Room: 2026 Chicago Defensive Lineman</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270192"],"_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-679845d440e6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones is one of the premier defensive players in the 2026 class.&nbsp; He has a great frame at 6'4" 245 pounds with burst off the edge.&nbsp; Capable of going around or through opposing offensive tackles.&nbsp; Super long arms allow him to shed in both pass and run game getting tackles off balance along with getting off blocks to get to the back.&nbsp; His quickness, athleticism, and power combination really stands out.&nbsp; Has the size and strength to set the edge.&nbsp; Hits with force.&nbsp; Bats down or alters throws by getting his hands up on passes.&nbsp; Plays as a 3-4 defensive end for Mt. Carmel, but he has the versatility to also play as a 4-3 edge or even slide inside to a three technique in pass rushing situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538329"],"_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-679845d440f00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quinn is one of my favorite players in this class.&nbsp; The 6'6" defensive end is an absolute force on the edge.&nbsp; He has a good bull rush being able to go through defenders pushing them into the passer.&nbsp; Also has elite speed and bend around the edge which make him almost unstoppable.&nbsp; Plus pass rusher that is one of the best in the state.&nbsp; Technically sound player that reads plays in the run game and makes tackles in space.&nbsp; Pursues the ball on the perimeter and is adept at batting down passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["208769"],"_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-679845d440f81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liggins is up to 6'4" and 270 pounds and the defensive tackle moves extremely well for that size. Burst off the snap and is extremely physical stuffing in the run game against the opponent.&nbsp; Blows up plays in the backfield and fills the gap where he takes down the back. So quick off the ball and does a good job using his hands with power.&nbsp; Rips through on his pass rush moves and flashed pass rush potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585123"],"_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-679845d440ffe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is a 6'2" explosive defensive end that can also stand up and rush the passer which is probably what he is most comfortable at.&nbsp; Bends edge very well as a pass rusher getting around the tackle and back to the QB. Mixes in counter moves and keeps the lineman guessing.&nbsp; Explodes to the ball and plays with a mean streak.&nbsp; Can hold the edge containing QB in pocket when asked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1669566' first='Daniel' last='Howard']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"270","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lane Tech","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679845d441124"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Really liked what we saw on tape out of this 6'3" 270 pound defensive tackle.&nbsp; He is a man when bull rushing the QB as he pushes the center or guard or both back with no regard.&nbsp; Likes the up and over move getting to to the passer as well.&nbsp; Physical vs the run and is able to hold up at the point taking on the block while still making the tackle.&nbsp; Intriguing interior defensive lineman!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1096669"],"_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-679845d4411a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hart is a defensive tackle who stands at 6'0" 260 pounds.&nbsp; Stocky dude that plays with a good motor.&nbsp; Liked the quickness he showed getting up the field particularly against the run getting tackles for loss.&nbsp; Slices in between the lineman before they can block him.&nbsp; Solid pass rusher that has some explosiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1612330"],"_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-679845d4412b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gaito is a 6'3" 210 pound defensive end that will need to continue to bulk up, but we like the physicality that he plays with and his toughness.  Good hand fighting against lineman getting them off him and is probably best against the pass at this stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->