2026 Watch List- 5 Defenders Everyone Needs to Watch This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to our 2026 Watch List!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're watching five defenders across the state that we think everyone should have on their radar this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, make sure you check out their film below! You won't want to miss out on this kind of talent!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1741284"],"_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-688931210124e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1741284' first='Ian' last='Harrell'] is a talented DL from Buckhorn who's started generating a ton of collegiate interest recently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"[player_tooltip player_id='1741284' first='Ian' last='Harrell'] is an every-down force in the trenches who can rush the passer and stop the run extremely well. Harrell is quick off the snap, has active hands, and some serious strength/power he can use to dominate the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Harrell is constantly in the backfield. He can work his way around offensive linemen in a wide variety of ways, and has the pursuit and tackling skills to create huge stops behind the line of scrimmage. Buckhorn's defensive line will be one to watch this year with him and [player_tooltip player_id='1261454' first='Cortez' last='Carr'] leading their front.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall, Harrell ended his year with 50 total tackles (20 for loss), 6 sacks, and 15 hurries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the last few weeks, Harrell picked up offers from UT Martin, Murray State, Rice, and more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do yourself a favor and watch some of Harrell's tape below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17642719/6733b5f92a3468f40b138203' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68893121015af"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1741289"],"_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-6889312101638"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1741289' first='Mikal' last='Purifoye'] is a talented DB out of Booker T. Washington with a big senior season ahead this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Purifoye is a physical DB who flies all over the field to dish out some massive hits on opposing ballcarriers. He's quick, instinctual, and can make some impressive plays out in coverage and against the run. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm most impressed with how quick he is to react. He seems to always be in a great position to come up with stops, regardless of what opposing offenses are doing. It especially shows up in coverage; he's terrific at finding ways to break on passes and cause headaches for pass catchers.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout this summer, Purifoye has picked up in-state offers from Alabama A&amp;M and Alabama State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It'll be exciting watching Purifoye this fall, he's a talented player with some great film you can watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18675640/6724f3edbf56bc53d1dbfaed' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688931210167e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1658220"],"_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-6889312101707"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1658220' first='Joseph' last='Hampton'] is a dominant LB out of Pelham who has really impressed me with his tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Hampton is an every-down playmaker on Pelham's defensive front. He's a seriously impressive run defender who fights off blocks, closes down rushing lanes, and creates tackles up front for little to no gain. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Hampton's versatility. He can line up and produce both on and off-ball, and is also an impressive pass rusher who generates pressure and causes tons of problems for opposing QBs in the backfield.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton put together some great tape from last season- make sure you give him a watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4705987/672655a44e7dacfcf524360a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688931210174c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1741300"],"_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-68893121017ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1741300' first='Ayindae' last='Pugh'] is a dominant LB out of Saraland who recently dropped some big news regarding his recruitment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>[player_tooltip player_id='1741300' first='Ayindae' last='Pugh'] is a physical and athletic LB who has no problem covering tons of ground to create some impressive stops. Pugh is quick, has great strength, and is an impressive playmaker in pursuit who can shut down the run and make plays in coverage. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Pugh's skills against the run. He's quick to diagnose plays and does a terrific job fighting off blocks to create huge stops down near the line of scrimmage. Everyone should watch out for Pugh and this Saraland defense this fall; they're set up for a big year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, Pugh committed to Alcorn State! He's set up for tons of success this fall and at the next level- make sure you keep an eye on him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pugh has some great tape from last season- give him a watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19354217/675bd20eb66c685cadd9cabf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6889312101813"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1645202"],"_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-6889312101898"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1645202' first='Greg' last='Williams'] is a dominant LB out of Auburn who left us seriously impressed after his performance last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Williams is excellent in pursuit- he is great at tracking and hustling to the ball regardless of where he lined up pre-snap, especially against the run. When defending the run, Williams does an excellent job filling in rushing lanes, fighting off blockers, and taking down the ball carrier right at or behind the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On passing downs, Williams brings the same level of impact- he's reliable out in coverage, doesn't allow for easy catches, and can track and make plays on the ball using his hands.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams was really productive for Auburn's defense last fall, ending his junior year with 84 total tackles (42 solo, 10 for loss) and one INT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few weeks back, Williams committed to North Alabama! It'll be exciting watching him this fall; he should be on everyone's radar heading into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams had a great season last fall- make sure you 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/3/16692291/671d9ee5935fb6b106bb07a6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68893121018db"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->