PRZIA ’26 Rankings Update: D-Line/Edge Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/przia-26-rankings-update/">Athlete Breakdown</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=DL">2026 DL Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=EDGE">2026 Edge Rankings </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 defensive lineman in the Prep Redzone 2026 rankings will play offensive line in college. That's by choice. [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'] is capable of lining up defensively on the next level. He's an excellent athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1281978' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] is the top-ranked student-athlete that will play defense in college. The defensive end is committed to Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are new or refreshed scouting reports on a select group of guys at this position: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["856405"],"_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-67c35f65d083f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ohman disrupted proceedings of opposing offenses by being a menace. He racked up 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks with two fumble recoveries. A good athlete, Ohman is averaging 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds for the Black Raiders hoops squad this winter. His frame has room to fill out and add strength without a loss of athleticism. You see quickness and agility when watching Ohman's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18558992/66fcb07186043cc4ee2f4dfc">junior highlight video</a>. He's proficient at separating from blocks by utilizing active hands and fast feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241532"],"_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-67c35f65d08ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ries shines during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17960000/672022815c4caf2e6f44a1b7">junior highlight video</a>. He's a high-motor performer with quickness in tight spaces. Ries keeps his head up and on the target, disengaging from the block when the time is right and then pouncing on the ball carrier. His strength overwhelms opponents on this level. Ries has little problem with taking on blocks and freeing up teammates for tackles, too. He ended up with 15 solo tackles, 2.5 stops for loss and a sack last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67c36802bea3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Liberty on at least three occasions last season and was intrigued by Harrington-Johnson. He's a powerful performer that plays with good pad level and strong leg-drive. He finished his junior season with 31.0 tackles (18 solo, 8.5 TFL) and 2.5 sacks. A second-team all-conference selection, Harrington-Johnson impresses during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23049811/67632a85bf2ea578356e5672">junior highlight video. </a>He plays assignment football, absorbing blocks, freeing up others to make plays or disengaging and pouncing on the opponent when the ball comes his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619389"],"_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-67c36802bea90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Production was not a problem for Purnell as a junior in 2024. He racked up 18.5 tackles for loss, proving to be a tough assignment for opposing O-Lines. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19522672/672ad5fbc7012eeddc1414ec">junior highlight video </a>reveals an explosive presence in the middle of the Wildcats' defensive front. He combines power with quickness to overwhelm would-be blockers. Purnell operates with good balance and a commitment to staying on assignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631997"],"_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-67c36802beae5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mennen shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18019095/6754ff6e9006720ed6565111">junior highlight video</a> that he can help plenty of programs on the next level. He occupies space in the trenches but his more than just a big body. He's quick, agile and athletic. Mennen eats up blocks, freeing teammates to makes plays. His head stays and eyes stay on the target, allowing him to separate from opponents and record the stop. He racked up 29.0 tackles (13 solo, 4.5 TFL) as a junior but his impact goes beyond the numbers, which often is the case with good interior linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241516"],"_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-67c36802beb2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williamsburg develops good football players and Grier is one of its latest success stories. He registered 20.5 tackles (14 solo, 5.0 TFL) and a sack last season. Grier gets off of the snap well, using his speed to escape potential blockers, as we see while watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14954427/6728eed0947b63ba2a5d2eb0">junior highlight video</a>. He wins his share of wrestling matches in the trenches with power, and his frame appears capable of adding strength without him losing any explosiveness. Grier looks best suited for an inside spot in a 4-3 but also can be effective at the end of a 3-4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->