2026 Rankings Risers: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">As the 2026 cycle nears its end, strong seasons and clear development have led to notable movement in the rankings. Here's an in depth look at several defensive prospects who saw a noticeable jump in the updated PRZ state rankings.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Shows strong man-coverage ability with the discipline to stay attached throughout the route, consistently limiting separation. Displays good pad level and leverage in his backpedal and during transitions, allowing him to remain balanced and in position. Footwork is efficient and controlled, minimizing wasted movement and helping him mirror receivers effectively. Demonstrates good ball skills, timing his jump well and playing through the catch point. Overall, a technically sound cover corner who relies on fundamentals to stay in phase.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">True ball hawk with an excellent nose for the football, consistently creating turnovers and impacting the game on the defensive side. Productive playmaker who racked up eight interceptions and added three forced fumbles/recoveries. Shows good all-around game speed with the lateral agility to change directions quickly and the long speed to carry routes and cover vertically down the field. Displays strong awareness reading the quarterback's eyes, allowing him to react decisively and put himself in position to make plays on the ball in the air. Adds value in the return game with vision and burst, making him a multi-phase contributor. Moved up over 100 spots into the Top 100 following a strong senior season and earned First Team 6A All-Conference honors.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Possesses good size and frame for the position at 6'3”, 225 pounds. Violent, downhill playmaker from the flex linebacker spot for Shadow Ridge, showing a physical presence at the point of attack. Quick to trigger and close space, attacking ball carriers with heavy force. Plays with a relentless motor, going full speed every snap and impacting the game as a run stopper, pass rusher, and in coverage. Displays good range to work sideline to sideline and stay involved in the action. Post season accolades include All-State Honorable Mention, First Team All-Region, and District Defensive Player of the Year. Holds two D2 offers and moved up 80 spots to #128 overall.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Attacking defender with a solid build at 6'1”, 230 pounds, bringing a physical presence to the front seven. Aggressive run filler who shows the ability to shoot gaps and shed blockers effectively, using good hand placement and technique. Displays positional versatility, lining up at middle linebacker and on the edge as a defensive end. Plays with a relentless motor, pursuing the football with good short-area burst and efficient angles. Heavy, forceful tackler with the natural strength and lower-body power to explode through contact. Finished the season with 86 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and two interceptions, earning 6A First Team All-State honors and being named the 6A Southeast Region Defensive Player of the Year. Moved up over 100 spots to #111 overall in the updated 2026 PRZ rankings.</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/jackson_rj5/status/1998799318694899730 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Franklin is one of the more under-recruited defensive prospects in the 2026 class within the state and brings a physical skill set that stands out on the edge. Possesses the size, length, and frame college programs covet at the position, measuring in at 6'4”, 250 pounds with room to continue adding strength. Shows the ability to set the edge versus the run, using his length to engage and control blockers at the point of attack. Flashes pass-rush upside with the power to collapse the pocket and the tools to develop more consistent moves as his technique progresses. Plays with good effort and physicality, allowing him to stay involved in plays and finish. Holds an offer from San Diego but given his 4.7 GPA and 33 ACT its shocking to not see more high academic programs offer him.</p>