2026 IDL Stock-Risers: October

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time again! In case you missed it, we <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/updated-2026-north-carolina-rankings-4/">updated our 2026 rankings</a>, and we have plenty of stock-risers, 108 to be exact. I've already gone <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/october-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-oif-the-2026-class/">behind the scenes</a> on this update, giving fans an insight into our thinking and decisions within the rankings. Here, I'm diving into evaluations for some of our biggest stock-risers on the interior of the defensive line. Here are our October IDL stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 IDL Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602480"],"_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-68e717183c493"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Since transferring to Northern Durham, Edwards' stats have been impressive. Turn on the film, though, and be prepared to be blown away. The stat sheet might say he recorded a sack. Watch that play, and you might just see him fight through a double-team and a running back to bring down the quarterback. His pass-rushing repertoire is advanced, and we think he's going to put up more highlights down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600396"],"_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-68e717183c4e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In terms of a strength-speed profile, it doesn't get much better than Stewart. And since transferring to Butler, he's been unblockable. We've seen him walk back interior linemen with pure power and get around the edge with pure speed. He's raw, but he's already grown in the first half of the season. He may not be done moving up our rankings because the season he's putting together is quite impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678328"],"_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-68e717183c531"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oriol has been outstanding this year as a speedy interior defensive lineman. You'd find it difficult to find a defensive lineman at the 8A level playing as well as Oriol, who, along with some other top defenders, is wrecking opposing offenses. While he'll occasionally flex outside, we like him best as an interior guy, as he's gotten stronger this year and has room to add more weight. He's a relentless rusher who sheds blocks with ease and puts up plenty of sacks and tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284088"],"_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-68e717183c576"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hilliard has been a mainstay on the Hough defensive line for years, and while he's not lighting up the stat sheet as a senior, he's having an impact. He's quick off the ball and can play inside or out. He eats up blocks like a bigger player, but he can also shoot gaps like smaller defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["473951"],"_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-68e717183c5ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is facing more double teams than ever, and yet he's on pace for his best season ever by a wide margin. And he's doing it against a murderer's row of offensive lines. He's not the biggest guy, but he holds up well at the point of attack, and he's relentless in the backfield. He'll have plenty of opportunities late in the playoffs, so expect to hear his name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expect plenty more from us on the class of 2026 as we provide content on the midseason rankings update. We'll provide new updates for stock-risers and new additions, while continuing our in-season coverage of every classification in the state.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->