#TN2026 Spring Stock Risers (Defense)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Volunteer State has been active with recruiting this Spring and several of the defensive prospects below have seen their stock soar. Development has been key here as these defenders have pushed their games to another level and seen the recruiting rewards because of it. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1134337' first='J.R.' last='Hardrick'] - South Pittsburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Chattanooga area defender has been one of the more active prospects from our #TN2026 class this Spring, where Hardrick has hit the road to check out college campuses while watching his stock rise ever so steadily. Standing 6 '6 220 plus pounds, Hardrick has great physical traits that can be developed further on the college level and coaches have recognized that upside. So far through his recruitment, the Pirates defensive end has landed offers from the likes of App State, Arkansas St., Bowling Green, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw St., Louisville, MTSU, South Florida, Troy and others. Several more P4 and D1 programs are lurking around and showing interest and I think if Hardrick can have a stand out camp season, his offer list should grow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL/OL) [player_tooltip player_id='866788' first='Nate' last='Fleming'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Fleming has been a hot name throughout this entire off-season stretch where he has added big offers from the likes of App State, Arkansas St., Ball St., Coastal Carolina, Liberty, Miami OH, Princeton, UAB, Western Ky and Western Michigan along with interest coming from several other Power Four and D1 schools. Depending on which school you talk to, several like Fleming for O-line but for us at #PRZTN, we see his game fitting best on defense where he can get after the quarterback and be a disruptor in the trenches. This is a definite camp watch list guy as I could see bigger schools getting involved if he performs well this summer. Fleming is an athletic guy that plays with a high motor and that certain grit you like on the D-line, so while his stock is strong now, I think it will grow even stronger as the year goes along.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1512350' first='Avery' last='Hughes'] - Portland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Early on within the recruiting process, Hughes was an under the radar talent that was waiting to be found and he has as this Mid-Tennessee product has watched his stock take-off over the last few months. The Panthers defensive end has some of the best edge speed I've seen throughout this recruiting cycle and college coaches have taken notice as well. His offer list has exploded just yet but I think it will soon. So far he holds offers from Air Force, Kennesaw St. and Navy but several others are showing interest and could soon jump on board. I believe Hughes will become a camp standout this summer that should display outstanding pass rushing upside that forces coaches to recruit him harder. Look for Hughes to potentially become a breakout star this Fall as well, where he could play his way into Power Four status.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1636045,"width":"261px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/ahughes.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1636045" style="width:261px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom'] - Forrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Even though his offer list doesn't show it, Grissom has seen his stock rise over these Spring months to become one of the better edge prospects we have coming out of the #TN2026 class. This Mid-Tennessee pass rusher sports an outstanding initial burst along with excellent closing speed that will play up well on the collegiate playing stage. So far, Jacksonville St. and Samford agree as they have extended offers but they certainly won't be the last. I think schools are waiting to get Grissom into camp this summer before they settle on giving him an offer. I do believe he will show out in those camps and watch his offer list grow because Grissom is too talented to be bypassed much longer. Don't be surprised either to see a breakout season this Fall, where Grissom could contend for the state lead in sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Fernandez is a definite Spring stock riser but I can see his stock grow further over the coming months as this Mid-Tennessee linebacker may have as much potential as anyone from his position group within the #TN2026 class. He is an athletic guy that can provide a variety of skills to the defensive side of the ball, including rushing the backfield or playing in coverage. Fernandez is well built too with a nice physique and some long arms. So far through his recruitment, this Williamson Co. product has landed offers from Austin Peay, Eastern Ky, ETSU, Jacksonville St. and Princeton with several others lurking and showing interest. I do think you will see his offer list expand with a strong summer camp season and an even stronger senior year. Fernandez is just touching his potential and I feel his best football days ahead of him on the college stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer'] -&nbsp; Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Just recently, Jointer took his name off the recruiting board by pledging his services to Miami Ohio and I feel his commitment is well warranted after a solid junior season as well as some strong off-season development over the past few months. The Eagles senior mainly handled boundary safety last season but his future on the college level resides at linebacker, where Jointer provides multiple talents from stuffing the run or playing in pass coverage. His athleticism, fluid movements and physical tackling more than likely appealed in a big way to the Red Hawks coaching staff as they pursued him harder than anyone. Jointer has added more weight this off-season and if he continues to pack on a few more pounds, I wouldn't be surprised to see some Power Four schools get involved before he signs the dotted line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1657513,"width":"271px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/ejointer.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1657513" style="width:271px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1527611' first='Chase' last='Norman'] - Gibbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Norman has slowly but steadily seen his stock rise over these off-season months to the point where he has placed himself as a potential Top 10 player from his linebacker position and a marked man by collegiate coaches. The Eagles senior has landed offers thus far from Cornell, Eastern Ky and North Alabama but is receiving interest from many others. Reasons why college coaches have interest is because of Norman's combination of athleticism and size along with the versatility to play the edge or slide back to the middle. The great thing as well about Norman is the fact that he is still forming into his 6 '4 frame and learning how to do certain things that will be asked of him on the next level, so his best football days are certainly ahead of him. Look for this East TN product to watch his stock soar throughout camp season and into his senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='958217' first='Jamyan' last='Theodore'] - Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the biggest stock risers throughout these off-season months has been this Chattanooga area defensive back that has turned into a national recruit with some of the best teams in the country in pursuit. Reasons for the heavy interest is due to the fact that Theodore can play cornerback on the college stage. It's hard to find prospects that can lock down one side of the field but the Red Raiders senior is one those guys. So far in his recruitment, Theodore has landed key offers from Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Michigan St., Mississippi St., Syracuse, Wake Forest, Wisconsin along with several others. This is a highly talented young man that should continue racking up the offers as we go deeper into the year because Theodore brings a ton of upside to the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1610490' first='Jaylen' last='Pollard'] - Ravenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a breakthrough junior year, Pollard has built upon that this off-season by placing himself as one of the better safety prospects in this state and a guy that could continue to see his stock rise as we inch into college camp season. Sporting good size (6'0 185) along with a physical approach and mindset to the game, Pollard brings a lot of tools to the field that college coaches would enjoy working with and developing. Up to this point in his recruitment, the Raptors safety has picked up offers from Arkansas St., Eastern Ky, Jacksonville St., Miami OH, Tulane, Western Ky and Yale. He has yet to break into Power Four status but that could change with a strong camp season and another stellar showing during his senior year. I like this prospect and his upside for the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1657515,"width":"274px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/jpollard.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1657515" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1116798' first='KeAndre' last='Gibson'] - Nash. Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Gibson was a key defensive piece within the Eagles state title run last year and he has continued to make a strong name for himself this off-season by landing offers from Eastern Ky, Jacksonville St.,&nbsp; Lindenwood and Western Ky. This Nashville area defensive back is a natural athlete that runs well, showing upside to potentially play cover corner on the next level or because of his versatility, handle nickel or free safety as well. Gibson also provides value as a special teams guy that can work at gunner or be a weapon in the return game. I'm curious to see how his recruitment goes moving forward because Gibson needs more time to develop but the athletic upside is certainly there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Defensive Stock Risers: (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547372' first='Harrison' last='Smith']</strong> - Sequatchie Co., (Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402538' first='Ethan' last='Hill']</strong>, (Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588093' first='Jesse' last='Zachary'] </strong>- Oneida, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617369' first='Darius' last='Brooks']</strong> - Haywood, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402564' first='Terrance' last='Whitley']</strong> - Whitehaven, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853131' first='Spencer' last='Makuch']</strong> - Bradley Cent., (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650784' first='Ty' last='Beard'] </strong>- Covington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1651100,"width":"253px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/tybeard.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-1651100" style="width:253px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->