2026 Updated Rankings: Breaking Down the Top 10

I take a look a the Top 10 overall players from the recent MD/DC/DE 2026 Rankings. This class is loaded at the top with National level players and heavy on the defensive side. I have seen a lot of these players over the last year plus and they have more than earned these spots with the work they've put in along with their performances on the field.    Taking over the #1 spot after being second in last rankings that came out back last spring. Zion looks like the ideal edge defender and has really filled out his frame well over the last years time. He passes every eye test imaginable with his size, length, and athleticism.   A straight menace off the edge, he has elite burst off the snap and plenty of quick twitch that makes it impossible for OTs to get hands on him. He has a lot of moves in his bag and is more than just a straight speed rusher. He puts speed to power and comes with an attitude. Zion can rip through and bend the edge, flattening down the line and closes to the ball with explosiveness. Can play with his hands in the dirt or stand up. He has active hands, can spin or do and out & in back to the inside after forcing the OT to over set. While also possessing the strength to bull rush with power to collapse the pocket. Elee is also more than athletic to set/play the edge and keep the ball carrier from getting around him to the outside.   A prototype Edge defender in today's game, Zion is a complete player that can win multiple ways with a motor that out last anyone. I expect him to be a problem for offenses for years to come and more than deserving of the #1 overall ranking.     Immanuel dropped down one spot to #2 in these recent rankings but honestly it's a 1A/1B as both him and Zion are both Top 5 National Recruits and lead an extremely strong 2026 MD class.   I have watched Manny multiple times over the years and written about him plenty. He is easily the top OT in the MD/DC/DE area and may very well be the top offensive lineman in his class. He has great size a 6'7" and a thick strong built ~350lbs with an elite 80" wingspan. Immanuel already looks the part of a potential NFL OT. Crazy athletic for his size with a basketball background, Manny moves his feet well and can get up to the second level and run out in space. He possesses heavy hands and a powerful punch that sends defenders out the way. A natural bender, he can sink his hips and generate plenty of power and leverage. Manny is a mauler in the run game and finishes blocks through the whistle . What he is capable of doing to opposing defenders is the definition of throwing them out club. A great combination of power and athleticism for the position.   Manny still has the potential to improve his game and continue to take big strides as 2023 was his first year playing football. He is coachable, works hard and has a huge ceiling to his game. I look forward to seeing him continue to make his case for the #1 overall ranking spot over the next year.     Jireh is as physical as they come at the safety spot and is another top national recruit in these rankings. With elite size and build for hs position and a self reported 4.48 laser 40 it's no wonder why Jireh comes in at the #3 overall and #1 DB spot.   Mainly playing at SS in the box or in the slot in press man coverage, Edwards is quick to diagnose plays and fast to the ball. He uses his excellent length to get his hands on lots of passes for PBUs and and getting off blocks. What stands out most about Jireh's game though is his tackling. He is a missile out there on the field and hits like a ton of bricks. Comes downhill or can get sideline to sideline, he is quick to find the ball and attack.   His skill set and athleticism is a perfect fit for today's game as he can play the hybrid SS/ off ball LB and be a a versatile overall defender. I am a big fan of Jireh's game, I expect him to be a dominate force in his senior year and an impact player at the next level.     Connor is a new addition to the MD rankings as he recently transferred to Bullis from Woodgrove HS (VA). While he is a new inclusion he is a player I first in fall of 2023 and he surely would have been high up on these rankings even then.   What makes Salmin such an intriguing prospect is one word....speed. Part of why he transferred to Bullis was to join their elite track program as he is a top runner in the area. He has a blazing official 10.44 100M that he ran as a sophomore so that can still get even better. That speed translates on the football field as routinely blazes past defenses. Can be used as a vertical deep threat, jet sweeps, and in the quick screen game. Connor is a player that can take it to the house anytime he touches it. Not just a speed merchant though, he runs hard and not afraid of contact. Shows good wiggle and route running skills as well.   I expect Connor to have a huge senior year with a loaded Bullis team and will be a problem for any defense he comes across.     A player who makes the top 5 overall players, that still has room to grow, improved and has tons of potential still to tap into. With elite size and frame, if Carter continues to fill out with good muscle he has a chance to get even higher on these rankings in the future.   Carter has great athleticism for the DE spot. A basketball player as well he shows good feet and burst off the snap. A natural bender as well, he get under the OTs shoulders, flatten down the line and get to the QB quickly. Carter also displays good power and leverage, using his length to extend and get off blocks. He can get skinny, play the edge, re-direct and play in space. He is physical enough to win at the point of attack and athletic enough to chase down ball carriers.   DC's top prospect, you can see why Carter is getting tons of college interest. If he be this impactful at 6'6" ~220, just imagine how he will play once he get more time in the weight room and gets to the 240-260lbs range. A player with a high ceiling and is one to watch out for next fall.     Khary is a speedster and track star for Loyola with a nice long lean frame. With a 4.4 40 and a 80" wingspan he fits the prototype DB. He is also a high level track athlete with an official 10.74 100M, which checks a lot of boxes for colleges.   A do it all athlete for Loyola, Khary makes an impact in all 3 phases of the game. With over 700 total yards, 4 INTs and 8 total TDs he makes his presence felt. While he does impress on both sides of the ball he projects best at DB with his fluid hips, speed and long arms. Khary has a ton of range with his long stride and can cover the whole field so can play either CB or FS in my mind. He has great ball skills and body control that allows him to make a play on the pass even when not in perfect position.   With his athleticism, speed and overall dynamic play he is a for sure top recruit that should even improve on his game senior year.     Nick is a player I loved this season and he may have made one of the biggest jumps from last springs ratings to these most recent ones. I will admit I missed on him a bit but he also filled out his frame and took his game to the next level and earned being the #1 LB in the MD/DC/DE 2026 class.   I saw Nick play in McDonogh's first game of the year against Mt. Zion Prep this past fall and he was absolutely lights out! I texted him out to some colleges right away after that game saying he was a Power 4 kid and he went on to gather plenty of Power 4 offers & interest as the year went on. He is a great frame kid, muscled up and has elite length with an 83" wingspan. Nick plays like he has a score to settle. Gets sideline to sideline and chase down ball carriers. Comes downhill with intentions, Fills/plugs and can drop the hammer tackling through ball carriers. A good athlete for his position as well, Nick shows well in coverage getting multiple INTs on the season. Can turn and run with TEs and RBs out of the backfield.   Overall, Nick is a LB that plays fast, physical and with a high football IQ. He is certainly one of the premier players in the area.     Hakim is a player I got to see a lot of this past year at St. John's (DC) and has just recently transferred to St. Frances Academy for his senior year. He's the top DB in DC and has a host of Power offers.   Possesses great size for a DB with long arms, but can still squat/stay low and is smooth in his back pedal. Can turn & run and uses his length well to get his hands on passes. He is a strong tackler, not afraid of contact and can blitz from DB spot. Hakim is quick to break on passes and has natural ball instincts. He is a high IQ player that while still a great athlete, shows great understanding of the game and plays with great technique.   Smooth, physical, aggressive, instinctual, Hakim checks a lot of boxes. Could see him playing multiple DB spots and fitting in multiple schemes, making a splash at the next level.     Damon is another player I have seen a lot over the last few years and he continues to impress and improve his game. Holding double digit Power 4 offers, it's no wonder he is the #1 rated RB in these rankings.   For his junior year he racked up over 1,300 yards rushing and 16 rushing TDs. A track runner as well, Damon runs a verified 10.89 100M and that speed shows up on film. He is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. A nice build for the position, Damon is rocked up and well slapped together. He runs behind his pads, hits the hole and goes...if he gets a lane he is taking it for a big play. Also possesses fluid hips and quick feet. Combined with his great vision, it allows him to attack the hole when sees it and make quick cuts to create space for himself and avoid defenders.   Ferguson is a player with speed, explosiveness and elite playmaking ability. He is in position to have a huge senior campaign for Milford Mill next fall.     The second Gonzaga defender to make the top 10, and the #2 rated Edge prospect of the most recent 2026 rankings, Tyson had a huge junior season raking up 15 sacks.   He has great size and length at 6'4" and just like Meadows he is a basketball player for Gonzaga as well so has that athleticism you want to see. Tyson has impressive burst and closing speed of the edge. A high energy player, he has a motor that doesn't stop. As a rusher he has nice bend and active hands. He can get skinny, long arms OTs to set the edge and keep moving making it hard for blockers to get a clean look at him. Tyson's basketball background shows on film as he has real fluid hips, can re-direct and quick COD to close on the ball.   Tyson is a rush defender with the full package. He never quits on the play, has an array of rush moves and has the athleticism and frame to go along with it. Colleges know that once they get him on campus and into a college weight room to fill out that frame he will be an unstoppable force.

I take a look a the Top 10 overall players from the recent MD/DC/DE 2026 Rankings. This class is loaded at the top with National level players and heavy on the defensive side. I have seen a lot of these players over the last year plus and they have more than earned these spots with the work they've put in along with their performances on the field.