Sleeper 2026 Atlanta-Area Pass-Rushers To Know This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2026 pass-rushers on the rise are bound for giant senior seasons this year...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697271"],"_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-685c243edafcf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An active, productive interior defensive lineman with impressive quickness and overall strength, Mason is one of the top underrated defensive tackles in the Atlanta area for the 2026 class. He may not be the biggest guy, but he plays hard, shows violent hands, and knows how to attack the quarterback in the backfield. He plays with good leverage, a strong motor, and is coming off a big junior season where he made 87 tackles, 33.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks to go along with six forced fumbles. He was game-wrecker who should have an even bigger senior season this fall. He should also see a new ranking come his way in the next 2026 Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1573155"],"_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-685d54eba9069"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Still one of the more slept-on defenders across the state for the 2026 class, Jackson doesn't have ideal height or length, but he's a natural pass-rusher and a menace to block for anyone lined up against him. He led the entire 2026 class in sacks last season as he got to the quarterback an eye-opening 15 times while adding 31 more QB hurries. He's lightning quick off the snap, closes well on the ball-carrier and knows how to make play after play in the backfield. Look for him to be even better as a senior in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283916"],"_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-685d54eba90e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A promising EDGE defender who really shined last season at Parkview, Stiggers is an athletic pass-rusher who can fly into the backfield and chase down the quarterback. As a junior this past season, the 6-foot-4 245-pounder made 49 tackles, six TFLs and six sacks. He'll play at the D1-level, but he's still underrated in our eyes. He's bound for a giant senior season next fall at Stephenson and has a chance to be one of the sack leaders in his region. Stiggers should also be added to the next 2026 Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616554"],"_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-685d54eba9131"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lean, athletic EDGE defender with impressive instincts who can naturally attack the quarterback, Braxton is one of the more underrated defenders in the Atlanta area coming off a really strong junior season for Langston Hughes. The 6-foot-2 215-pounder can disrupt the passing game but also showed he can rush the quarterback, earning 11 sacks in addition to his 96 tackles and 14 TFLs. Look for him to have a giant final season in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283906"],"_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-685d54eba9173"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A high-energy EDGE defender who plays hard and loves to deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier, Fabian is one of the top returning EDGE defenders in the Atlanta area after a disruptive junior season where he made 10 sacks in addition to his 76 tackles and 11 TFLs. He was a standout defender on a very talented Douglas County defense and should be even better in 2025. He shows quickness off the snap, violent hands, and great pursuit when chasing down the quarterback. He flashes easy D1-caliber talent and bound for a giant senior season next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->