The Watch List- 2026 Defenders Seeing Their Stock Soar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to this week's Watch List!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we are looking at some 2026 defensive prospects who have seen their recruitment heat up over the past week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, check out their tape below; these guys have some serious talent!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603088"],"_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-6822405de121e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1603088' first='Brack' last='Sawyer'] is a talented defender out of Enterprise who looks to be the next dominant DB to come out of their program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had a blast watching Sawyer- he's a highly athletic/instinctual nickel who can produce in a ton of different ways. He's quick to react, has great speed, and flies to the ball nearly every snap to make plays. I love watching him in coverage- he's physical at the line of scrimmage and has the ball skills and hands to break up and pick off passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sawyer is also a problem off blitzes- he's so quick to get into the backfield and has the pursuit skills/closing speed to hunt and take down the QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sawyer ended the year with 112 total tackles (63 solo, 9 for loss), 1 INT, 2 PBUs, and 2 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sawyer had a great junior season last fall you can check out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14559396/67475516c61a256d984730c8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68225d9a50227"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672209"],"_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-6822405de1299"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1672209' first='Price' last='Stephens'] is a dominant LB out of Gulf Shores who made a ton of huge plays on both sides of the ball last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens is a versatile backer who can make huge impacts on and off the line of scrimmage. He's a dominant run defender who quickly finds and attacks the ball every snap, consistently closing down rushing lanes to rack up tackles at and behind the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm just as impressed with Stephen's ability to rush the passer- he explodes off the line and uses his leverage and violent hands to get by offensive linemen and to the quarterback. It's really impressive seeing how well-rounded of a defender he is- offenses should look out this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens ended his junior year with 65 total tackles (11 for loss), 5 sacks, one INT, and 21 catches for 200 yards and 1 TD on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens has seen his recruitment take off this offseason, picking up offers from North Alabama, Brown, and Nicholls State within the last month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of what Stephens did last season, he's a talented player:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15394792/673ea5e86710e904dc0786e8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68225d9a502a0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672222"],"_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-6822405de12f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1672222' first='Jakolby' last='Crandle'] is a talented DB out of Alma Bryant who's coming off one of his best seasons yet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crandle is a versatile CB who can affect the run and pass in some huge ways. He's a ball hawk out in coverage- he can cover tons of ground using his speed, and does a great job tracking and breaking underneath passes to force PBUs and INTs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm really impressed with how Crandle plays the run. He's a physical DB who flies downhill, gets past blockers, and wraps up RBs for little to no gain, consistently preventing huge gains in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, Crandle picked up a ton of attention, landing offers from North Alabama, Tuskegee, and Alabama State!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crandle has become a huge piece of Alma Bryant's secondary- check out some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17348073/671d54cb4d23b44844647a7c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68225d9a50305"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672226"],"_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-6822405de134e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1672226' first='Anthony' last='Seaton'] is a talented DB out of Sparkman who made a huge impact out in their secondary last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seaton is a reliable S who provides so much security over the top of the secondary. He's a huge threat in coverage who never lets anyone get behind him and does a terrific job tracking and making plays on the ball as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love seeing what Seaton can do down near the line of scrimmage- he can press/jam WRs and also consistently provides terrific run support as well. I was really impressed by his tackling- once he makes contact with you, you're not getting any extra yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, Seaton announced he had picked up his first offer from North Alabama! With the film he put together, don't be surprised if more head his way soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seaton has some great tape from last season you can watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17643056/66f454262a2414731a64e369' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68225d9a50362"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672230"],"_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-6822405de13a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1672230' first='Jeremiah' last='Connolly'] is a dominant DL/EDGE prospect out of Citronelle who has been incredibly upfront for his team's defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672230' first='Jeremiah' last='Connolly'] is a nightmare to try and stop. He's so destructive up front and can wreak havoc against the run and pass. I love his skills as a run stopper- he's a powerful dude who can close down rushing lanes, set the edge, and rack up tackles for little to no gain at the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connolly also stands out as a pass rusher. He's a relentless force in the trenches who runs on a high motor, has great speed and power, and can get into the backfield to cause some serious issues for opposing QBs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connolly was all over the field last season, ending his junior year with 112 total tackles (14 for loss), 6 sacks, 20 hurries, and one INT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, Connolly announced that he had picked up his first offer from North Alabama!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure you check out some of his junior season, he has some really impressive tape you can watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18383918/66f569d3e23111e2f58b572b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68225d9a503be"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->