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Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition

Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition
Matt DeBary
Matt DeBary May 3, 2025 @ 12:20 PM
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In this article:

Kaleb McMichael
Kaleb McMichael 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB | 2026
GA
Grady Ellerman
Grady Ellerman 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB | 2026
GA
Danterious Mckenzie
Danterious Mckenzie 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB | 2026
GA
Brady Robinson
Brady Robinson 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH | 2026
GA
Ethan Robinson
Ethan Robinson 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB | 2026
GA
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These rising-seniors deserve more recognition after giant 2024 seasons...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664493"],"_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-6810f6b892884"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way standout just outside of Atlanta who showed toughness on defense, Robinson is a sure-tackler who may be undersized, but plays bigger than his 6-foot-0 180-pound frame. He's a hard-working defender who tackles well and had a giant junior season where he made 100 tackles, 16 TFLs and two sacks with four forced fumbles. He's an active defender who should see a new ranking in the next Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664510"],"_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-6810f6b89290c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive defensive back flying under the radar in metro-Atlanta, this lean, athletic safety had no problem making big tackles throughout the 2024 season. A hard-hitting defender who can also make plays in coverage, McKenzie made 97 tackles last season while breaking up 10 passes and forcing two fumbles. He's an active defensive back with strong instincts who should be even better during his final season in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664519"],"_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-6810f6b89298a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An Atlanta native who really shined last season as a junior, Ellerman was a tackling machine who understands the position and consistently found his way to the ball-carrier. He reacts quickly and attacks, then shows good technique when making a strong tackle. He brings a high football IQ and does a great job of dissecting plays before they unfold. He made an impressive 98 tackles, nine TFLS, one INT, three forced fumbles, and two pass-breakups. Look for him to be added to the next 2026 Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648329"],"_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-6810f6b892a0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An active, hard-hitting linebacker out of Gwinnett County, Robinson showed last fall that not only can he tackle, but that he can cover a lot of ground in coverage. He closes well not only on the ball-carrier, but down the field in coverage. He's a smart, high IQ defender who made 95 tackles, 13 TFLs, and four sacks to go along with one INT, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Look for him to be one of the top defenders in the region next season as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664574"],"_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-6810f6b892a83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A metro-Atlanta defender who reacts quickly and can make a big tackle in the open field, McMichael is one of the more productive linebackers returning in the area for the 2025 season. As a junior, this sure-tackling defender made an impressive 87 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two sacks, and three fumble recoveries. He has a nose for the ball and doesn't lack physicality. He's bound for a major senior season and will be ranked in the latest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

These rising-seniors deserve more recognition after giant 2024 seasons...

Brady Robinson

Brady Robinson

GA
ATH
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 180
POS ATH
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Brady
Robinson ATH
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
180
HS
Landmark Christian
|
GA
Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition
A two-way standout just outside of Atlanta who showed toughness on defense, Robinson is a sure-tackler who may...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Brady Robinson

State: Georgia
School: Landmark Christian
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Danterious Mckenzie

Danterious Mckenzie

GA
DB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 175
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Danterious
Mckenzie DB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
175
HS
Shiloh
|
GA
Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition
An impressive defensive back flying under the radar in metro-Atlanta, this lean, athletic safety had no problem making...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Danterious Mckenzie

State: Georgia
School: Shiloh
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Grady Ellerman

Grady Ellerman

GA
LB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 210
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Grady
Ellerman LB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
210
HS
Lakeside
|
GA
Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition
An Atlanta native who really shined last season as a junior, Ellerman was a tackling machine who understands...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Grady Ellerman

State: Georgia
School: Lakeside
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Ethan Robinson

Ethan Robinson

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 200
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Ethan
Robinson LB
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
200
HS
North Gwinnett
|
GA
Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition
An active, hard-hitting linebacker out of Gwinnett County, Robinson showed last fall that not only can he tackle,...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Ethan Robinson

Instagram Twitter
State: Georgia
School: North Gwinnett
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Kaleb McMichael

Kaleb McMichael

GA
LB
HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 180
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Kaleb
McMichael LB
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
Weight
180
HS
Lithia Springs
|
GA
Film Review: 2026 Defenders Who Deserve More Recognition
A metro-Atlanta defender who reacts quickly and can make a big tackle in the open field, McMichael is...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Kaleb McMichael

State: Georgia
School: Lithia Springs
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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