2026 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<p><em>Breaking down the new additions to the PRZ NV 2026 rankings on the defensive side of the ball.</em></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Vele was a new addition to the 2026 rankings after a strong junior season for the reigning 4A state champs. Totaled 67 tackles, 5 sacks, and 5 TFLs in 2024. He's a versatile linebacker that can play off the ball and make disruptive plays in the backfield as an EDGE. Carries a strong, powerful frame at 6'/240 that helps him deal with offensive linemen in close quarters and possesses the lateral range to come off blocks and make tackles around the edge of the box. Excels as a run defender when playing off the ball but looks like he packs the most upside as future EDGE defender. Expect another productive season from Vele as one of the top returning defenders for Mojave's defensive unit.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JrayVele42/status/1934171673315742031 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Blum was a riser on the offseason recruiting trail this summer picking up his first offer from Idaho at the Vandals camp in June. He's an up-and-coming defensive lineman that has the size, frame, and skillset of a future DT at 6'3"/285. Spent his junior season with Bishop Gorman's JV squad but should see more opportunities on varsity this fall. Blum is a defender to keep an eye on with his first offer now in hand. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ABLUM2008/status/1925755061449183698 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Carter was a new addition to the 2026 rankings with the physical flashes he showed in his junior film. He's a lean OLB/S with the frame of a DB (5'10"/150) and the skillset of a LB. Excels as a second and first level defender where he can make rangy tackles around the LOS and attack the ball downhill. Needs to develop his skillset in coverage but would make for an active tackler in the secondary at the next level. Carter should be on the D-III radar ahead of his senior season with Clark. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/King_jazzzz/status/1859409246816972816 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Foday was newly added to the 2026 DB rankings with the upside he offers in his length and athleticism at 6'3"/170. He's produced some strong performances on the offseason circuit showing his ability to smother receivers with his length and fluidity in recent months. Can disrupt releases at the LOS with his natural reach and looks smooth running downfield with receivers. Foday offers some promising physical tools worth keeping an eye on in this upcoming season. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/aleogzzz/status/1936635469883933008 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Nihipali is a versatile player for Shadow Ridge with promising physical tools at 6'5"/245. Fills roles in all three phases of the game as a DE, TE, and LS and showed some strong flashes at each position in his junior tape. His size and length will likely appeal to college coaches as a future DE with raw upside but will need to continue to show skill development and production this season. Keep an eye on Nihipali as we reach the stretch run of the 2026 recruiting cycle.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kainoa_Nihipali/status/1920918368376242597 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Tuitama is a new name in the 2026 EDGE rankings with the physical flashes he showed on the Green Valley front seven last fall. He's a strong, stout defender at 5'9"/200 that can hit with power and create some disruption in the backfield with a quick get-off. Needs more film to get a true evaluation of his skillset as a rusher but the physicality is certainly there. Look for Tuitama to have a bigger impact for Green Valley's defense this fall.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/oii_solee/status/1923417081376133623 </div></figure>

Breaking down the new additions to the PRZ NV 2026 rankings on the defensive side of the ball.