Small-Town 2026 Defenders Bound For Breakout Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These small-town 2026 defenders are still flying under the radar...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634505"],"_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-67c778787b82d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive defensive end down in Southeast Georgia with a high motor and above-average athleticism, Hudson is a playmaking defender who also shines on the baseball diamond for the mighty Ware County Gators. He's quick off the snap and lived in the backfield last year, attacking and bringing the quarterback down on a consistent basis. This sleeper defender deserves more recognition after a fantastic season where he made 44 tackles, 12 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. He's one of the top returning pass-rushers in the region bound for an even bigger 2025 season next fall as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634514"],"_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-67c778787b8a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dynamic, playmaking linebacker for the state-champion Toombs County Bulldogs, Roy is quick, aggressive, and has a knack for making a play on the ball. He plays with high energy, can fight off blocks, and moves really well at 6-foot-1 195-pounds. He's a natural defender who finds his way to the ball and knows how to get the ball-carrier on the ground. This under-the-radar defender from the small town of Lyons, Georgia made 68 tackles, 20 TFLs, four sacks, and two pass-breakups before the state championship game. He saw a handful of offers come his way last month and should see more come his way this spring and summer after an impressive junior season in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634532"],"_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-67c778787b8ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive sleeper EDGE defender from the small town of Dublin, Lovett brings a promising frame, impressive length, and above-average strength, allowing him to shed blocks and get after the quarterback on passing downs. A stout run defender in the area, Lovett closes quickly and knows how to deliver a sound tackle when he finds the ball-carrier. He was an easy addition to the 2026 rankings after a strong junior season where he made 33 tackles, 14 TFLs and six sacks. He's a small-town defender who will be added to the next rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634583"],"_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-67c778787b92f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile defensive lineman from South Georgia who played better and better as the season moved along, Lundy is a powerful, run-stuffing defensive lineman who holds his own in the trenches and really improved week by week. He plays with good leverage and also showed a knack for rushing the quarterback. He made 70 total tackles for Valdosta last season with over 20 TFLs and 7.5 sacks. His biggest game came in the playoffs where he nine tackles, five TFLs and three sacks against a strong Walton team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910359"],"_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-67c778787b973"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dynamic, two-way athlete and one of the more underrated overall athletes in West Georgia, this playmaking 6-foot-2 225-pounder was a dependable player all season long on both sides of the ball. On offense, Tyree-Wilson caught 30 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively he made 61 tackles, eight TFLs and seven sacks to go along with two fumble recoveries and one blocked punt. More importantly, he was a big reason why the Bowdon Red Devils won a third consecutive state championship last seaosn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->