Scouting the Class: Top 10 2026 Defenders

Prep Redzone prides itself on scouting more players than the average site. That's evidenced by the more than 500 players in our system for just the 206 class alone. Our bread and butter is with the players who aren't likely bound for Power Four schools. But, that doesn't mean we don't put the same thought and care into ranking the top of the class as we do the rest of the rankings. In fact, since these players are often ranked elsewhere, we get the most scrutiny regarding their position.   Here, I'm scouting the top 10 defenders in our 2026 rankings. Most of the articles these guys are in focus on recruiting. Here, it's pure scouting. Which defenders do we like the best?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 10 2026 Defenders</h2>    Matthews is my favorite corner to come through North Carolina in a long, long time. He's long and disciplined, with elite speed to boot. He has what every college DBs coach loves: a boring highlight tape. He's able to play press, off-man, or zone and isn't limited to one side, or the field/boundary. If you need somebody to cover a team's best receiver, Matthews is your guy.     Dunham's calling card is his bend around the edge, something that is unmatched in the class. Because of that, he's mostly a one-sided edge, something that will likely change in the future. For now, he's able to win with pure speed and I'd like to see him develop a secondary pass-rushing move to counter with off speed. He's always going to have tackles on their heels, so having that second option will take an already elite game to the next level.     Most recruiting services have Harris listed as a defensive tackle (Obviously we do as well) but I wonder if he can contribute early as an edge rusher. His get-off is excellent and he has the length and quickness to compete there. He flashes raw power, but is more of a speed move guy as a pass-rusher, though there's nothing in his profile to indicate that he can't do both at the next level.     Griffin-Haynes is one of the longest edge rushers you'll find, with a frame that could likely hold 30-40 pounds. He's likely going to reshape his body in college, but for now, he's a scary edge rusher. He's actually more developed as a run defender, something that gives him a unique profile. Even good high school teams have no idea how to counter his length, so I'm interested to see how that changes at the college level.     Ewetade's upside is tremendous, with a long reach and fantastic bend accompanying a developing pass-rushing set. He typically wins on pure speed and a great get-off now, but he's adding plenty of good muscle, indicating he should be able to develop a power move in the future. He's raw, having picked up football more recently than most of his peers, but his length, speed, and get-off are tantalizing for big schools.     Weddington defenders have to be versatile or risk sitting half of the game, regardless of talent. The defense is so multiple that players have to be comfortable in multiple positions. Harris embodies that as he's arguably at his best on the inside, despite being under 230 pounds. He won't play there in college, but his speed and raw power to beat blockers is impressive. Harris has one of the best motors in the state and has mastered the punch to jar the ball loose. Questions about a natural position fit limit his likelihood to immediately start at the college level, but his upside is tremendous, arguably even higher than his brother's.     Davis has been near the top of the rankings from the start and not just because of his name. The rising senior is a plus-athlete and it should surprise no one that he looks comfortable anywhere on the defense. He's played edge, safety, and "big slot" but he's most comfortable as an off-ball outside linebacker where his sideline-to-sideline speed and ability to diagnose plays thrive. His versatility should make for a smooth transition to college and he could see the field early thanks to a college body and football I.Q.     Dean went from a guy I was lower on than most to a guy I quickly became higher on that most through a simple position change. His body never really developed the way many thought it would and he went from an undersized offensive lineman to a speed-rushing defensive tackle with massive upside. He's just learning the position and already dominating top defensive linemen at national camps. He could continue to climb our rankings.     A big, long defensive lineman, I thought Lewis might grow into an interior guy, but it's clear at this point that he's going to stay on the edge. His length and strength both show themselves on film and as he continues to develop his bend, he's going to become a feared pass-rusher. Right now, a lot of his sacks are "hustle sacks" and as the pass-rush moves develop, he could come close to reaching his future college potential as a Power Four starter.     Clark was originally on our board as an offensive lineman, but made the switch to the interior of the defensive line about a year and a half ago. Since then, he's gotten better and better. He's a unique player to scout in that he doesn't fit either stereotype of a two-gapping block eater or a gap-shooting slasher. Instead, he's a wall on defense, holding his ground and making a remarkable number of stops for an interior defensive lineman. The upside here is that he probably isn't close to his ceiling.

Prep Redzone prides itself on scouting more players than the average site. That's evidenced by the more than 500 players in our system for just the 206 class alone. Our bread and butter is with the players who aren't likely bound for Power Four schools. But, that doesn't mean we don't put the same thought and care into ranking the top of the class as we do the rest of the rankings. In fact, since these players are often ranked elsewhere, we get the most scrutiny regarding their position.