Elite Defenders to Watch in the 2026 Recruiting Class

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854354"],"_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-67f088f04bb83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='854354' first='Charles' last='Belser'] is an outstanding athlete who plays as a linebacker for Imhotep Charter. His ability to read, react, and attack the offense is impressive. His ability to fill the gaps and make run stops is excellent. He is a good tackler who tackles well in the open field. He is a good athlete who can run sideline-to-sideline to make plays against the offense. He is also good at dropping in coverage and playing zone defense. Belser is the complete package as a linebacker and is projected as a high division one player, as he currently has 18 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blessed to say I have received my 18th offer from Delaware State University <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonas_A_Jackson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jonas_A_Jackson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cy_woodland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cy_woodland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/yusuftribble?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yusuftribble</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TepFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TepFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/xmHAPOrCCM">pic.twitter.com/xmHAPOrCCM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='854354' first='Charles' last='Belser'] (@chucky33333333) <a href="https://twitter.com/chucky33333333/status/1908657007143367158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1338055"],"_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-67f088f04bc2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1338055' first='Quincy' last='Smith'] played as an outside linebacker in State College's 3-4 defense last year. His ability to set the edge and either make the play or force the play inside is excellent. He is also good at dropping in coverage and playing zone defense. Then he can put his hand down and play as an edge defender, and does an excellent job of holding his own against offensive tackles. Then he is a good pass rusher who blitzed at different gaps to put pressure on the offenses. Smith has a good chance to play college football, with a strong Senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights!!@JHill_PSU <a href="https://twitter.com/footballcoach79?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@footballcoach79</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EdOBrienCFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EdOBrienCFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PRZPAvic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PAPrepsRivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PAPrepsRivals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SCoachLintal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SCoachLintal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzonePA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzonePA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> <a href="https://t.co/4IS6WhJZs8">https://t.co/4IS6WhJZs8</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1338055' first='Quincy' last='Smith'] (@qu1ncy_sm1th) <a href="https://twitter.com/qu1ncy_sm1th/status/1861142216648835117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1077206"],"_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-67f088f04bca9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1077206' first='Alvin' last='Carlos Yates'] is a difference-maker at defensive tackle. He gets off the ball quickly and causes a disruption for the offenses he is facing. He also has violent hands, as he is able to rip through the arms of offensive linemen. He also shows good athleticism by chasing plays inside. The other big part of his game is his ability to pass-rush inside against interior offensive linemen. Yates recently picked up an offer from Monmouth and I expect more offers to come his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944134"],"_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-67f088f04bd1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='944134' first='Cayden' last='Parker'] is a good athlete who has a great combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He played primarily as an edge defender where he dominated. Because he is such a good athlete he is hard for offensive tackles to block one-on-one. Then he shows elite skills as a pass rusher. His rip and bend as an edge defender is excellent. Parker also played some running back and he showed a physical running style that is hard to bring down. Parker is a talented player who recently picked up an offer from James Madison. He has a good chance at playing College Football in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights<br>26' 6'3 225 Edge/Rb/Athlete<a href="https://twitter.com/wpialsportsnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wpialsportsnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WPIAL_Insider?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WPIAL_Insider</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SVRaiderFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SVRaiderFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jpmcfeeley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jpmcfeeley</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/On3Recruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@On3Recruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RivalsFriedman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RivalsFriedman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PghSportsNow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PghSportsNow</a><a href="https://t.co/h9Qjfy5iHo">https://t.co/h9Qjfy5iHo</a> <a href="https://t.co/wN1bY6mCO2">pic.twitter.com/wN1bY6mCO2</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='944134' first='Cayden' last='Parker'] (@CaydenParker07) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaydenParker07/status/1851956187350138888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1338090"],"_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-67f088f04bd90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1338090' first='Carlao' last='Lowe'] is an explosive athlete who does a great job of firing off the ball from his defensive tackle position. You do not see many big physical athletes move like he does at the defensive tackle position. He also shows good strength as he is able to push offensive linemen back into the offensive backfield. He also shows an excellent motor as he chases plays all over the field. Lowe is an outstanding defensive tackle prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->