Stock Up: 2026 Defensive Prospects Turning Heads

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the 2026 defensive prospects that have seen their recruiting stock on the rise this season. </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">6'0” 200 lbs. Clark plays with a high motor and a sharp football IQ that consistently puts himself in position to make plays from his OLB positions. He excels at shedding blocks using active hands and solid leverage, showing no hesitation in taking on contact and working through traffic. Whether slipping past pulling guards or navigating tight lanes, he maintains good body control and balance to stay clean and pursue the ball. Plus ability to quickly read and react to the play, he identifies run/pass keys and triggers downhill with urgency. In pursuit, he closes space quickly and takes smart angles, rarely giving up extra yardage once he's within striking distance of the ball carrier. His speed and effort make him a sideline to sideline threat. Picked up his first D1 offer from East Texas A&M in September and holds three total offers.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700"></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dax_Clark10/status/1972754722605183125 </div></figure>     <p>Hansen is a disciplined and physical presence in the secondary, combining high level instincts with strong tackling ability. He plays with good eye discipline to diagnose quickly and react with speed. Against the run, he fills downhill aggressively. His angles to the ball are consistently sound, allowing him to limit big plays and cut off perimeter runs before they can turn the corner. Excels making one on one tackles in open space. He's able to break down, keep proper leverage, and finish his tackles with heavy contact. Whether coming downhill to fill the alley or matching up in space, he shows the body control and awareness needed to be a reliable last line of defense. With his combination of sharp recognition, physical toughness, and consistent tackling he projects as a dependable safety who can anchor a secondary in both run support and coverage responsibilities. Carries three offers to his name with one D1 offer from East Texas A&M.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dallinhansen_/status/1972494561911230542 </div></figure>     <p>Chappell is a consistent disruptor off the edge at 6'2” 240 lbs. playing with a combination of intelligence, physicality, and technique. He shows excellent play recognition, staying disciplined setting the edge and identifying misdirection and screens. His hands are a standout trait – fast, violent, and purposeful – allowing him to quickly disengage from blockers and create separation to make plays. As a pass rusher and run stopper, he maintains low pad level and brings power through his hands and hips, making him a strong and reliable tackler. As a pass rusher, he shows a quick first step and the ability to win with both speed and power moves, applying steady pressure off the edge and collapsing the pocket when needed. His football IQ shows in how he sets the edge, times his rush, and adjust mid-play to react to run/pass. Brings value as a three-down defensive lineman who can impact both phases of the game.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jeesh123/status/1977196865163813209 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'0” 240 lbs. Ludlow is a relentless presence up front with a strong combination of quickness, power, and control. He's explosive off the ball, firing out with a low pad level and excellent first step that allows him to gain positional leverage and penetration early. Possesses a strong anchor and holds his ground well against double teams or drive blockers, using leverage and lower body strength to maintain gap integrity. Plus ability to redirect and make plays in tight spaces. He moves well laterally and adjust quickly to changing run lanes or QB movement in the pocket. Strong against the run, he's aggressive when shedding blocks and attacks ball carriers. As a pass rusher, he uses quick hands, a powerful base, and a good motor to collapse the pocket or shoot gaps for interior pressure. Violent tackler that brings a physical edge to every snap and drives through to finish with force. Currently holds five offers, most recently from St. Norbert and Hamline.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JacobLudlow53/status/1975067506386903399 </div></figure>     <p>Ells is a high motor and instinctive OLB for Arizona College Prep. High football IQ player that plays fast and is quick to diagnose run/pass to be a constant presence around the ball. At 5'10” 185 lbs. he may not have prototypical size but plays bigger and makes up for it with physicality, quick processing, and strong pursuit skills. Good ability to work through traffic using active hands and quick feet to avoid contact on his way to the ball carrier. Plus short area quickness and lateral agility to redirect to the ball and close space rapidly. Strong and physical tackler that takes efficient angles in pursuit and consistently wraps up in space to minimize yards after contact. Brings great range to chase down the ball from the backside and downfield. Currently holds five offers.</p>