2026 Defenders Who Moved Up In Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are always going to be more players who we need to know. The 2026 rankings have been updated this week. Let's check it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072147' first='Kylin' last='Boyd']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd is an amazing football player out of Starkville who we were able to get out eyes on this season. He recorded over 40 tackles and also grabbed three interceptions. There is no denying his talent. When he steps out on the football field, his presence is felt. He is one of those kids who you just had to get your eyes on this season. We do feel like he is going to continue to play football on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953349' first='TJ' last='White']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White is a player from Jackson Academy who did a really good job of stepping up for his team this season. He is a player who is dangerous down in the trenches. Quarterbacks should know where he is at all times when he is lining up on the edges. He is one of the top players in the state for this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136446' first='Xavier' last='Thomas']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is another player who we felt needed to be moved up in the rankings. There is no way to deny what this young man has been doing for his team over the past three seasons. He just recently committed to Coahoma Community College. We think that he has what it takes to make it on the next level. He is going to have to keep his head down and really get to work. Thomas is from Northside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953324' first='Caleb' last='Triplett']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triplett is a stud who we think programs are sleeping on. This young man from D'iberville is very dangerous at his linebacker position. When he comes up to make a tackle, he is bringing nothing but pain. You are going to see that he is one of the linebackers who loves to hold it down on the inside. He is going to be one of the guys you are going to see always ready to make a big hit on a running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402095' first='Jordan' last='Virgess']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virgess is a player who we have been keeping up with for a few seasons. This young man is a stud who holds it down on the islands for his Laurel football team. Virgess is a player who has good hips and feet. Receivers are going to find it hard to keep separation from him. He knows what he is doing when he is playing on the field. He is one of those guys who gets it down every Friday for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258744' first='Bennett' last='Payton']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payton is another player who we like a lot on Noxubee County's steam. Payton has been a field general for quite some time now. When he comes up to make a tackle, he is going to lay the boom. We are thinking that he is going to be an outside linebacker on the next level. Payton is looking like he is going to continue to get taller as he transitions over to the college level. This young man is a dude to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->