2026 Defensive Standouts Ready For College Ranks

Much like we did with a number of offensive standouts earlier in the week, we look around the state and see defensive players all over the map who need to be on more college radars.   Some of the players in this post have offers. Others don't.    But the point remains: Being college ready as a high school senior isn't a given. And, frankly, we have some star potential in this state that may be ranked higher than some of these players; but that doesn't necessarily mean they're prepared for the next level.   With this group, we know they're ready.   No, we're not saying all of these guys are on the Power 4 or even Division-I levels. But for them not to have the type of offer for them to pull the trigger makes us wonder what else they need to do.   In other words, this group has our full endorsement, and at the risk of sounding like a cliche, these guys deserve more looks.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734806' first='Ashton' last='Davis'] P, Blythewood    If high-end consistency is key, Davis has got it. The Bengals senior has averaged just shy of 40 yards per punt so far this fall, and three of his boots this season have gone for north of 50 yards. Davis is steady with pressure bearing down on him and - as many specialist recruits have discovered in the past two years - having a secondary skill set isn't hurting his chances. So far, 36 of his 38 kickoffs have been touchbacks. The rate at which opposing returners are ruled inconsequential has been a key for a squad that had to re-tool its entire offense in the offseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario'] DL, Dutch Fork (pictured)   We see why so much of the focus on the Silver Foxes' defense is limited to its defensive ends, two players with all the Power 4 attention they can handle. But that doesn't mean we should be ignoring the others. Cesario is a perfect example. While relatively slender for a defensive tackle, he's taken advantage of his time in the weight room to make sure his 225 pounds get the job done. He chews up a lot of space in the interior and allows for those ends - [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth'] - to avoid double teams on every snap.     [player_tooltip player_id='816754' first='Tyree' last='Cauthen'] DB, Myrtle Beach   Cauthen enters this week's rivalry game with 41 tackles (25 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions, one of which was a pick-six. He's played a lot of different roles in the Seahawks' secondary the last three years, but he's done well in all of them because of a speed factor most high school safeties can't replicate. In run support, he can get to any part of the field. And in coverage, he's got the stop-start capabilities to look more like a corner.     [player_tooltip player_id='1592447' first='Jacobien' last='Lewis'] DB, Loris    Lewis gets a ton of run for what he does at receiver. And since he leads Loris in receptions (23), yards (440) and touchdowns (eight), we can see why. But his length and field awareness as a safety has been of the utmost importance for the Lions. Lewis has played in 33 career games dating back to his freshman season. Over that span, he's put up 106 career tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. That type of production in his secondary role can't be ignored.    [player_tooltip player_id='1506464' first='Charles' last='Richardson'] DB, Midland Valley    After Richardson put up 129 tackles as a junior, we took some pause to see if it was a fluke year while some of the other defensive pieces adjusted to some changes or something else. It was something else. Through his first eight games as a senior, Richardson was still averaging 10-plus tackles per game while adding an ability to get into the backfield more, as well. In the last two months, he's also recorded his first career interception and his first career forced fumble. Clearly, he's not just a tackler anymore.     [player_tooltip player_id='1537475' first='D'Juan' last='Franklin'] LB, Ridge View    Franklin entered his senior year ranked in the low 200s in the Class of 2026. He's going to be moving up considerably in our next cycle. The hybrid linebacker has come into his own this year for the Blazers, putting up a team-best 61 tackles, not to mention nine tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Franklin has an explosiveness to him that allows him to blitz from different snap points. More than likely, his 5-foot-11 frame is going to keep him in the middle of a college defense, but Saturdays are going to be in his future.    [player_tooltip player_id='1241751' first='Matthew' last='Payes'] LB, Wando   When looking at Payes in person, it's sort of hard to see why he hasn't garnered more attention. He's 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds and he's got the wingspan to match. He's mostly being used as a standup outside backer - often because he's charged with dropping into coverage - but we could also see him being converted to a down linemen asked to set the edge from the ground up. As it stands, he's likely going to lead Wando in tackles, tackles for loss and pass breakups this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1165512' first='Chris' last='Boyd'] DB, Clinton   Boyd has been out for the second half of the regular season after suffering a broken hand that needed some time to heal. But believe us when we tell you Clinton is stoked to have him back for the playoffs beginning next week. Boyd was already a top-notch safety who helped lead the Red Devils to a Class 2A state title. What he's also added this season is a violence that not only gets the job done in the immediate, but also adds a second of hesitation for any ball carrier on the next snap. Boyd is a difference maker, and it's why a bunch of the Division-II programs around the Carolinas are all over him.     [player_tooltip player_id='1625930' first='Oreion' last='Small'] DB, Darlington    Through the first eight weeks of the season, Small had been utilized in some other positions of need that often took away from his natural position in the secondary. He's been asked to shift up to an outside linebacker spot and even lined up at receiver, where he's even scored a touchdown. But as a backside center fielder, Small is at his best. HIs mobility covers a ton of ground, and he's got no issue taking on ball carriers at the line (or behind it) and then playing centerfield on the ensuing play. His skill set will easily translate to the next level.

Much like we did with a number of offensive standouts earlier in the week, we look around the state and see defensive players all over the map who need to be on more college radars.