Defensive Breakout Candidates for 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we take a look at some potential breakout candidates for next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1745015"],"_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-6953ef8cd8e8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1745015' first='Brylan' last='Ussery'] is quick off the snap and has a fluent swim move to pressure the pocket. Ussery is assignment sound and plays with a high motor to chase down ball carriers. I expect him to receive a lot more attention in recruiting during 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrylanUssery/status/1990621773017088061?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrylanUssery/status/1990621773017088061?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620687"],"_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-6953ef8cd8f89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1620687' first='Bryson' last='Williams'] is a prospect to add to the recruiting board. This safety attacks downhill with solid read and react ability and good angles. Williams is physical at the point of attack and showcases the ability to tackle in space. He's strong in zone coverage due to his fluidity and ability to change direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrysonWDB5/status/1998180914535498055?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrysonWDB5/status/1998180914535498055?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1199025"],"_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-6953ef8cd9015"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1199025' first='Tre'son' last='King'] is a stout defensive tackle and nose tackle who can stun offensive linemen at the POA to clog up running lanes. King solid pad level off the snap and can work down the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_Tresonking/status/1990101403809820974?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_Tresonking/status/1990101403809820974?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1857194"],"_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-6953ef8cd9122"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1857194' first='Jonah' last='Caldarera'] is an under-the-radar prospect. He's a high motor, sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He can effectively chase down ball carriers and fill running lanes. Caldarera displays solid read-and-react ability in zone coverage. Keep an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JonahCaldarera/status/1998386126503948291?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JonahCaldarera/status/1998386126503948291?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251952"],"_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-6953ef8cd91b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1251952' first='Jaden' last='Robinson'] has the potential to garner a lot more attention in 2026. He's a solid run defender, playing to his assignments and containing the boundary. Robinson displays the ability to get physical at the POA and solid in zone coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jaden_R1/status/1986644836061970877?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jaden_R1/status/1986644836061970877?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->