2026 Rankings: Breaking Down The Defensive Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You want guys up front that can cause issues for opposing offensive linemen?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 defensive linemen are a group that are physical, fast and can defeat blocks quickly to affect an offense. And that's what we see across the board as we kick off the season next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If they can't get in to make the sack, they'll make the quarterback feel them and know that they're coming. All night long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four of the top six in the class already have college interest, some from major programs and others from smaller schools across the Palmetto State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They can clog up rush lanes and limit the gain on run plays and use their speed to get to the quarterback, especially out in the open field. They have motors that are always running and they don't stop until the whistle blows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other qualities that the group possess is size and strength, and an ability to hustle even from behind when the play may not involve them initially.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a couple of All-Region performers that are returning from last year, and they'll definitely be at the top of mind for offensive coordinators across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2406","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2451","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689cca919c96b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RANKINGS BUSTERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405166' first='Aiden' last='Jones'] </strong>| Greer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-time All-Region player is back for the Yellow Jackets' defense and he was a menace up front. He had 46 solo tackles, 27 tackles for a loss and 26 quarterback pressures. Yes, you read that correctly. He has a motor that is always running and will not stop until he gets to the ball carrier. He is someone that offensive coordinators in the Upstate will need to plan for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025808' first='Chris' last='Stewart'] </strong>| Andrews</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stweart is a fast and physical linemen who takes great angles to the ball. And if he can't get there and get the sack on the quarterback, he'll make you feel his presence with his speed and quickness of the line. He's tough for opposing linemen to block because of his size and technique off the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473028' first='Donovan' last='Miles'] </strong>| Woodland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miles is a run stopper who can clog up run lanes, and won't allow the runner to get past the line of scrimmage most times. He has good size on the interior of the defensive front and we expect him to continue to cause problems for opposing linemen in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592194' first='Jaemin' last='Pinckney'] </strong>| Woodland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinckney will be right next to his teammate above up front. He has quickness off the line of scrimmage, which allows him to roam freely in the opposition's backfield and he has a motor that is always running and takes great angles to the ball. He looks like a linebacker, but can put his hand down and get after the offense like a defensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'] </strong>| Dorman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waring is a big and physical defensive lineman who engages with the opposing offensive line, and is able to get into the backfield to make tackles for a loss, especially against the run. He made one play that stood out on his film where he hustled to make a play when there was a big pass play. Colleges are taking notice as he has offers from ECU, Wake Forest and Boston College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816747' first='Michael' last='Jones'] </strong>| Oceanside Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones flashes and catches your eye at the defensive tackle position. The All-Region selection from 2024 can defeat blocks quickly and has good technique to be able to move around and pursue the quarterback with good pursuit angles. He has great size for the position and is tough for opposing linemen to try and move once the ball is snapped.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner'] </strong>| Loris</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conner's ability to react and anticipate is what stood out to us when we turned on the film. Once he recognizes it's a run, he is working hard to defeat blocks already once the ball is snapped and many times, he's in the backfield before the back can get momentum and get a head of steam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165105' first='Trent' last='Garner']</strong> | Pendleton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garner excels at rushing off the edge and he can affect the quarterback. He comes full speed and is another rusher that has a motor that is running. We expect him to have a big impact for the Bulldogs defensively. He had 126 total tackles, 13 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816739' first='Rayfield' last='Bell'] </strong>| Wagener Salley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell is a nightmare to try and block off the edge. The first few clips of his 2024 highlight film put that on display. He has an impressive get off at the snap of the ball and then he uses his size and quickness to bull rush opposing linemen and many times, we saw him sacking the quarterback before he even had a chance to scan the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284136' first='Miles' last='Wilson'] </strong>| South Pointe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson has great technique at the defensive tackle spot. He can clog up run lanes and get into the backfield quickly. He has good size to be able to rush off the edge if he's at the end spot as well and he always has a motor that's running. If he can't get to the quarterback, there's a good chance he will affect the quarterback by hitting him as he throws and thus, resulting in an incompletion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18044725/679bc084f13ff68fef232c24' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689cca919ccc7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WILD CARD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595706' first='Darrell' last='Harrison'] </strong>| Northwestern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrison (pictured above) is a new addition to the Trojans as he transferred from York. He flies downhill with the full intention of getting to the quarterback. He takes great angles to the ball and knows how to finish the play with full speed tackles. He should be a welcomed addition to a Trojans' defensive line that is looking to replace all four defensive linemen, who graduated after their run to the state title in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->