Midseason Check In- 2026 Defenders Dominating This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're checking in with some of the dominant 2026 defenders we covered this past offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You've got to watch these guys' tape 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":["1622453"],"_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-69051f946d832"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1622453' first='Emanuel' last='Ruffin'] is a talented DL from Bessemer City who's been having another big season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Ruffin is a terrific run defender- with his size, speed, and power, he gets terrific penetration and is constantly in the backfield. Ruffin eats up space, closes rushing lanes, and has great pursuit he uses to take down RBs&nbsp;along the line of scrimmage&nbsp;for little to no gain.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On passing downs, Ruffin is just as productive- he generates tons of pressure, can bat down passes, and takes on double teams to free up opportunities for his teammates to get after the quarterback."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through eight games, Ruffin has recorded 40 total tackles (2 for loss), one sack, and one fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm excited to keep watching Ruffin at the next level. He's a talented prospect with a bright future ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622371"],"_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-69051f946d8b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1622371' first='Johnny' last='Moody'] is a talented DB out of A.H. Parker who's been having another big season for the Herd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Moody is highly versatile and can line up and provide great coverage outside and deep downfield against some talented WRs. Moody is great at playing both press man and zone- he can jam and wear down WRs at the LOS while also covering tons of ground and sometimes multiple targets in zone.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Moody is also a great run defender- he flies downfield and fills in rushing lanes to create huge stops near the line of scrimmage, making life harder for offenses in every way he can.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moody has made a ton of plays this season, racking up several tackles and 3+ INTs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure you check out some of Moody's clips from this season. He's been lights out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17641795/68fbc6f4f74660f6dae503f1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69051f946db29"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1137631"],"_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-69051f946dbaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1137631' first='Garrett' last='Witherington'] is a dominant DL out of Briarwood Christian who's been having another great year this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Against the run, Witherington quickly and easily flies through blockers to attack the ball- he's dominant in pursuit, has great tackling skills, and can come up with a ton of stops behind the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Witherington is just as productive as a pass rusher- at 6'5 250 he has the size, speed, and power to completely dominate the trenches and get to the quarterback almost every passing down. He has a high motor and a ton of different moves he uses to consistently keep OTs on their heels, generating pressure and collapsing the pocket at a high rate.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure you check out some of Witherington's tape from earlier this year. He's a dominant prospect with a bright future ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16632396/68d2e0c6c84f128180e9653f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69051f946dbea"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1337992"],"_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-69051f946dc47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Starks is a hybrid safety who can dominate opposing rushing and passing attacks in a ton of different ways. He's highly instinctual and can read and react to opposing offenses within seconds of the snap, consistently putting himself in great position to impact plays.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Starks is excellent out in coverage- he isn't easily baited by play fakes, doesn't let anyone behind him, and has the ball skills to consistently pick off and break up passes.. Starks is just as good at defending the run- he flies downhill, doesn't shy away from contact, and has great skills in pursuit and as a tackler.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far this season, Starks has racked up 34 total tackles (24 solo) and 12 PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to check out some of Starks' tape from this season. He's been terrific.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17734176/68db27bce5723eb26da213a4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69051f946dc76"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622130"],"_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-69051f946dccc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1622130' first='Brandon' last='McGhee'] is a talented DB who's been playing at a high level in Auburn's secondary this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Right off the bat, it's clear that McGhee is extremely gifted in coverage, especially zone. He has great instincts, is quick to react, and can track the ball and adjust himself to create huge plays on the ball. McGhee is a complete ball hawk who is so good at finding and getting his hands on the ball, he frequently hauled in some super impressive interceptions for his defense last year.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Against the run, McGhee is just as dominant. He can make huge plays down by the line of scrimmage, but is even more impressive in the open field- consistently taking great pursuit angles and wrapping up to prevent should-be scoring plays.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGhee has made a ton of huge plays this season, racking up 31 total tackles (18 solo), 2 INTs, and 11 PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You've got to watch some of McGhee's tape below. He's been fantastic this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16346218/690517ccab529b1a0ee5fd63' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69051f946dcf8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->