You Are Athlete Camp: The 2026 Defensive Standouts

Not to repeat myself from last week of how great the You Are Athlete football camp was last week, but I had an opportunity of a lifetime to watch some great football with some of the best athletes on the planet. So, I decided that there were so many prospects that deserved the recognition of how they performed at the camp I would continue to write articles about the attendees.   In this segment were going to take a deep dive into everyone's favorite side of the ball "Defense". These six athletes in the class of 2026 really turned some heads all day long displaying insane natural abilities.    Hunter is just an "Ultra Competitor"   The best quality of a corner in my opinion is to have short term memory. Corner is without a doubt one of the hardest positions in football. Hunter didn't win every single rep at the camp, when he didn't win a rep, he came right back swinging and broke up a pass the next rep. That's what colleges want in a defensive back just a tough, gritty competitive football player. That sums up [player_tooltip player_id='904442' first='Robert' last='Hunter'] to the "T" I loved how he handled himself in Kansas City so much that I had to go back to the lab and pull up the film on Hunter. After reviewing his tape, I came to the conclusion that on top of being a technically sound corner he is just an all-around great athlete. He played quarterback and corner for his Wichita East football team and might I say dominated on both ends.   I really admire how he plays the game of football, and I expect Hunter to explode his senior season.      Mr. Bronson is a technician on an island of his own.   Another great defensive back that held his own at the You Are Athlete camp was Dontae Bronson. Let's be completely honest playing corner at these camps especially in 1-v-1 segment's is extremely difficult. You're usually on an island all by yourself with no help with a bunch of space surrounding you. Bronson's best trait is that he can close that space extremely quick, he had the best foot work at the camp, and he showcased that by using a smooth as butter back pedal. Then when he saw the ball in the air, he has excellent closing speed to beat the receiver to the spot and dislodge the ball.   He is such a fluid football player there isn't any wasted movements in his approach, with the confidence to match he is the perfect defensive back prospect in 2026 keep an eye out for this young man.      The fastest riser in Kansas City was David Fason   Fason hails from Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa so I must admit I was very unfamiliar with David Fason. I was deep into the 1-v-1 portion with the receivers and defensive backs when I kept finding myself turning my head and watching this 6'2 240-pound D-lineman bully offensive lineman on the other side of the field. Thats the definition of turning heads and I wasn't the only one that noticed, Fason came into the camp with something to prove. He explodes out of his three-point stance with violent intentions that catch offensive lineman off guard. He is a "dancing bear" through and through, he moves extremely well for his already college ready size and I believe he has the flexibility to move up and down the line at will.   On my drive home I kept thinking of how good of a football player Fason was and how much I believe this is just the beginning for this young man.     Bolen plays like an "Alpha" on the football field.   Some players just have a certain presence that demands to be felt on the field and that's what defines Ray Bolen. He just demands your respect when he plays the game of football, a physical presence at the You Are Athlete camp in Kansas City from start to finish, Bolen dominated at almost every field drill that was conducted by Coach Jerry Mcneal. Another prospect I had to go home and study some film Bolen mainly played as a stand-up defensive end for North Kansas City High school which surprised me because at the camp he moved so well out in space. Which makes me believe that he is the ultimate chess piece for a defensive coordinator.   Whether it was covering backs out the backfield or rushing the passer Bolen does both at an extremely high level, it's amazing to see.      One of the most underrated linebackers in the nation is [player_tooltip player_id='1588077' first='Caleb' last='Barber'].   While scouting these camps at times it can be hard to keep an eye on every prospect that attends. It's mainly up to the participants to perform well and catch the eye of all the scouts in attendance. [player_tooltip player_id='1588077' first='Caleb' last='Barber'] did just that by having a phenomenal day in Kansas City, all the coach's and football scouts we're a buzz about this 5'10 230-pound linebacker that moved so well during drills and 1-on-1 segments. Barber is super explosive whilst changing directions, even though some passes did get to the running backs while he covered them, he has enough speed to hold the ball carrier to a minimal gain.   I left Kansas City eager to turn on the tape and watch what he can do in full pads, and it was even more impressive watching him be able to oppose his will and be physical with oncoming blockers. He sheds blockers with ease and his ability to diagnose plays is a wonderful study. On top of being a great football player he is a high character person that just wants the chance to prove that he can hang with the best of the country after the camp and film I studied I believe he absolutely should be considered among the best in the nation.      Deakins has everything you want in a defensive football player   It's rare that a prospect attends a football camp and does everything the right way. Deakins attended the You Are Athlete camp and just did everything you asked him to do and did it with a great attitude and an absolutely dominant fashion. He attacks the edge among the best I have ever studied at defensive end, but his best quality that every college coach loves regardless of position is he plays with maximum effort, every single play his motor runs extremely hot. Offensive lineman absolutely hated dealing with Deakins all day long because he just simply out worked them on every rep, he beat them off the snap, he beat them with power, he beat them with speed anyway he wanted to beat you he just beat you plain and simple.   Another athlete that just put out great tape Deakins was unstoppable his entire junior year. High character player that did great in all the interviews that were conducted in Kansas City, Deakins college interests is increasing drastically as we speak.

Not to repeat myself from last week of how great the You Are Athlete football camp was last week, but I had an opportunity of a lifetime to watch some great football with some of the best athletes on the planet. So, I decided that there were so many prospects that deserved the recognition of how they performed at the camp I would continue to write articles about the attendees.