Q1 Rankings Update: Breaking Down the 2026 Defensive Tackles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season concluded, we've updated our rankings. The 2026 class is on the clock as most colleges have completed their 2025 classes and moved onto the rising seniors. Here, we'll break down several 2026 interior defensive linemen who impressed us enough this season to move up in our Quarter 1 rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Stock-Risers: Interior Defensive Linemen</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["858648"],"_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-678f20a3a6a92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ruffin's a game-wrecker and it's almost unfair for someone his size and quickness to play at the 1A level. But he's more than a big body, Ruffin has an array of pass-rushing moves that is impressive for a player his age. The upside here, of course, is his athleticism, as he's maintained a quick first step as he's grown. He won't need much transformation to play early in the SEC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1050603"],"_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-678f20a3a6b01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stancil is a guy that I really think could be an early contributor for a Power Four team. He has great hands as a pass-rusher and he's just learning the intricacies of the interior of the line, as he's added a bunch of weight and moved inside recently. However, he's athletic enough to slide outside in bigger fronts and beat offensive tackles. He was highly-productive, with nine sacks and 23 tackles for loss as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1368126"],"_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-678f20a3a6b47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">James is a strong dude who is able to fight through blocks and make huge plays against the run. He's not the most productive pass-rusher, but can draw double-teams and free up his teammates. Against the run, he was highly productive and he has a high motor, even at his size. His tackle numbers are great, as he has enough straight line speed to make plays beyond the line of scrimmage. He's a guy we're watching intently, as he flashed as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284088"],"_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-678f20a3a6b8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hilliard really grew as a pass-rusher as a junior, which is the main reason he's a stock-riser in our rankings update. He has so much power and strength and can blow guards off the ball. Hough also lets him slide further inside to nose tackle some times, where his quickness can cause issues for centers. He's got plenty of room to grow and we're excited to see how he continues to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->