#TN2026 D1 Sleepers (Defensive Prospects)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prospects fly under the radar all the time, especially these days w/ lower level college guys transferring up. Well I believe these players below are D1 caliber. They just haven't been found just yet! </h2>     (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='851948' first='Zorian' last='Harris'] - Greeneville   - As we inch closer to college camp season, Harris has yet to see his recruitment take-off and I'm not sure as to why it hasn't because this East Tennessee product is a load to handle up front. The Green Devils senior big man brings a powerful profile to the trenches that I believe translates well to the college game but Harris is a good athlete too that can rush the backfield. This is a multi-talented D-lineman that can make an impact working the 3-tech or sliding over to nose. He has an excellent combination of athleticism, power and speed that should only develop further on the next level but college coaches have yet to see it. I do think in time that changes as Harris is too good to be overlooked much longer.    - - - - -    (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1641926' first='Amaree' last='Williamson'] - Cookeville   - Standing 6 '2 300 pounds, Williamson immediately looks the part of a potential D1 college guy but he plays like it as well. When you turn on his junior film, what you see is a space eater on the D-line that is exceptionally strong at the point of attack with deceptively good athleticism that allows him to play in the opponent's backfield. The Cavs senior big man has some powerful hands, which he uses to stun O-linemen but his strength also works well at stacking blocks and helping his backers gain space to run towards the ball. This guy is a good run stuffer that can also provide the occasional interior pass rush. Williamson does need to keep forming his body but the raw strength and athleticism are there to develop nicely in college, even possibly the D1 stage.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DropZz56/status/1911260160217035244 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1218538' first='Issiaga' last='Yattara'] - Webb School    - Yattara is a guy that flashes big time potential for his Feet defense that has great size (6'5 275) with arm length and a great frame to pack on more weight that might allow him a shot one day at competing on the D1 level. This Mid-Tennessee product definitely looks the part of a college guy but is still far away from reaching his maximum capabilities. The best thing I see right now coming out of Yattara is his raw athletic skill set that could be used in several ways across the D-line. He shows a solid pass rush with good lower base explosion that could flourish at defensive end or inside as a 3-tech. I can also see where Yattara could grow into a nose guard as well. I like the potential here and what the future could look like for Yattara, especially with more dedication to his craft and development of his body.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1648124' first='Gage' last='Smith'] - Lawrence Co.    - This Mid-Tennessee two-way talent is a sleeper prospect that has the athleticism, length and size that D1 coaches look for. Standing 6 '3 185 pounds, Smith brings the physical traits to the football field that could develop nicely at either receiver or safety, even possibly the “star” position. When you turn on his junior film, you find a playmaker that has a quick burst towards the ball on defense and a tall wideout that comes up big deep down the field. I personally think his upside fits best on defense where Smith can create havoc in both pass coverage and close to the line in run support. I can see a scenario where receiver becomes his calling but overall, I like this hidden gem and the D1 potential that has yet to be found.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1617369' first='Darius' last='Brooks'] - Haywood   - Athletic with sideline to sideline range, Brooks is one of the more intriguing defensive talents we have from the #TN2026 class that shows me a high ceiling with upside to compete on the D1 stage one day. The Tomcats linebacker is a fluid mover with explosion that allows him to play well in pass coverage while also having the speed to rush the backfield. Standing 6 '3 200 plus pounds, Brooks has the size you want for your off the ball linebacker while also having the ability to play in space as well. All the athletic traits with a high ceiling are there but Brooks does need time to continue adding the strength and weight to make a major impact in college. It will be fun to watch his progression this Fall because I like this prospect and his future moving forward.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1417724' first='Martez' last='Mitchell'] - Tyner Academy   - As we head into summer camp season, Mitchell sits way under the radar but is talented with the potential to play multiple positions in the secondary, including cover corner. I see D1 capabilities with this Chattanooga area prospect because of his natural athleticism, his quick, twitchy lower base and his instincts towards finding the ball. Mitchell is an agile, fluid mover that breaks on the ball, transitions very well. His speed allows him to place himself in the mix to break the pass up the pass or pick it off on a consistent basis. The Rams senior doesn't have the ideal size at the moment but I don't think that matters too much due to his athleticism and instinctive game play. Proving himself in camp season will be key but Mitchell's performance this Fall will be as well. Potential is definitely there for this guy to possibly make his way to the D1 playing level one day.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/1luh__T/status/1850284064114168060 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='853131' first='Spencer' last='Makuch'] - Bradley Central   - Going through the scouting process, Makuch immediately popped off to me as a guy with the potential to play on the big stage of college football one day, especially due to his size, athleticism and instincts towards finding the ball. This is one of the more instinctive, ball hawking safety prospects we have from our #TN2026 recruiting class that plays a clean, efficient brand of football. Not only is Makuch a ball hawk, he is also a violent attacker that shows technique tackling and the willingness to play in run support. The Bears senior safety can also run. He gets from point “A” to point “B” very quickly, providing great range. I don't see too many flaws with Makuch, which is why I think he is vastly underrated at this point with D1 upside that just hasn't been found yet.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1218539' first='Elom' last='Ametitovi'] - Webb School    - As we head into summer camp season, Ametitovi currently sits as a hidden gem that shows me D1 potential due to his athletic profile, size and position versatility. This is a talented young man that I feel is just coming into his body and his game with a lot of upside left to be fulfilled. First thing you notice when scouting his film is that Ametitovi moves very well, showing nice initial burst and speed towards the ball as well as the length to create pass breakups. The Feet defensive back is also a willing tackler that will come up in run support and make technique sound tackles. The versatility is also key here as I see signs that Ametitovi could develop at corner but I feel his best potential sits back at safety. Whoever signs this Mid-TN product could be getting a steal and a multi-year starter within their secondary.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='402544' first='Hunter' last='Mullen'] - Independence   - If any college coaches want the ultimate worker that loves the game of football, Mullen is your guy! A multi-talented prospect that could be recruited for receiver, Mullen is a well trained young man that shows me potential D1 college upside at safety, due to his athleticism and high football intelligence. This is a rangy guy that reads and reacts very well, showing the ability to track the ball then explode towards the play and finish with violence. The Eagles senior is an ultra competitor that brings high energy and desire each and every game. Mullen is a coach's dream because he is dependable both on and off the field and someone that will make others around him better. If he can increase his burst and speed, I could see Mullen making his way to the D1 level one day and develop into a multi-year starter.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HunterMullen_WR/status/1906452629032464551 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1643690' first='Corey' last='Jennifer'] - Siegel   - Sporting great size with a well built, physical body, Jennifer is oozing with raw talent but is still a work in progress, however the upside is there for this Murfreesboro area product to reach the D1 stage one day. The Stars senior defender has great size (6'1 185) along with natural athletic abilities that could work at several positions within the secondary, even possibly cornerback. I do think his best potential resides at safety where Jennifer can use his range and size to his advantage but he does have the physicality and speed to possibly develop at cover corner. The biggest thing holding Jennifer back is his confidence. If this 6'1 defensive back can focus on his craft and play consistently, the sky could be the limit. It may take some time to get there but playing D1 ball is possible for this talented secondary defender.    - - - - -    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/">Tennessee Top 300</a>   Keep Eyes on These Five: (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1103026' first='Bennett' last='Spillman'] - Lipscomb Acad., (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1432197' first='Jaden' last='Haywood'] - East Hamilton, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1326260' first='Brody' last='Rogers'] - Knox. Halls, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin'] - Sevier Co., (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1403891' first='Jbrein' last='Crawford'] - East Nashville   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/iyattara2.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1664002" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure>