STOCK RISERS: Sleeper 2026 Defenders On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These under-the-radar defenders are seeing their recruitment pick up...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1597816"],"_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-678033fd115d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A fast-rising defensive back with length, versatility, and a nose for the football, Forney Jr. is coming off a strong junior season for the Kell Longhorns where he made 30 tackles, three TFLs, two INTs, and one that was returned back for a touchdown. He hits hard behind his pads, covers plenty of ground in coverage, and knows how to make a play on the ball. He's easily a new defensive back to know about who earned a major in-state offer this week from the Georgia Bulldogs. He also earned new offers from Michigan, Arizona State, among others. Look for him to make a big jump into the 2026 rankings this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1597822"],"_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-678033fd116ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile, active linebacker with impressive quickness and violent hands, McCollough can play in the middle of the field or line up outside and attack the quarterback in passing situations. At 6-foot-0 220-pounds, he's strong enough to fight off blocks with enough speed to locate and run down the ball-carrier. One of the more underrated linebackers in the area, this fast-rising defender picked up offers from South Florida and Florida Atlantic this week with more likely to follow. He's coming off an eye-opening junior season where he made 85 tackles, 11 TFLs and three sacks. He's a prospect whose stock should only increase over the next few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598182"],"_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-678037f74c52a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new Cobb County defensive back who is seeing college interest come his way, Jones is a bigger safety with strong instincts and closing speed at 6-foot-1 185-pounds. Playing alongside other several great defenders, Jones was able to make his mark on the Sprayberry defense as a junior, securing 42 tackles and four INTs on the season. He roams the field and attacks when the ball is in the air. He's also a strong tackler who knows how to make a fundamentally sound tackle in the open field. He's earned recent offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, among others and will be an easy addition to the next Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1577608],"_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-678162c2069db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more productive defensive linemen across Athens this past season, this sleeper defender brings an excellent blend of quickness and strength for someone who plays in the middle of the trenches at 6-foot-3 245-pounds. He has a great first step off the snap and shoots the gaps well against the run. He's a sure-tackler who consistently found his way into the backfield last season. He made 48 tackles as a junior with an impressive 13 TFLs and eight sacks. He earned a recent offer from Dartmouth with the potential to add even more sooner than later. He'll be an easy addition to the next 2026 Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598198"],"_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-678164ef4ab46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A smart, instinctive North Georgia defensive back out of Cartersville who showed he knows how to deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier, Ezell is a promising safety prospect with size, toughness, and playmaking ability. A sound defender against the run, this junior safety made 38 tackles last fall with three TFLs and one INT. He roams the field and knows how to cover defenders while bringing a physical presence against the run. His recruitment is starting to [pick up, and this week he earned two Ivy League offers from Penn and Cornell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->