Defensive Linemen Primed For Breakout Seasons In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded two weeks ago with the East-West All-Star Game, marking the start of preparations for the upcoming season. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm starting a new series discussing players at each position who are poised to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2026. Next in the series is the defensive line. I've selected five potential breakout stars to discuss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The majority of the student-athletes on this list are underclassmen, with one being a rising senior who has shown immense potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1188855} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Drake-Hickman-28-TN.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1188855" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Westview DL [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'] – Westview High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'] was a force on Westview's defensive front this past season, totaling 91 tackles, 18 for a loss and five sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While those numbers are great and more than breakout worthy, I think he's due for an even bigger season in 2026. The 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive lineman is a freak athlete with all the tools to be a top-five defensive player in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His tackle and TFL numbers were extremely impressive, but he's just scratching the surface of his potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hickman is an elite player who could very likely notch 100+ tackles and double-digit sacks next year, cementing himself as the most productive defensive lineman in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1598893} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/cheyharris.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598893" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pearl-Cohn DL [player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris']. Photo from his X/Twitter @h56lywood.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris'] – Pearl-Cohn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris'] took the next step this season for the Pearl-Cohn Firebirds. The 2028 prospect totaled 54 tackles, 18 for a loss, three sacks and an interception in 13 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Hickman, he had a fantastic sophomore season, but there's plenty more in the tank. He has impressive size, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 285 pounds, with a good-looking frame for a defensive tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'd like to refine certain aspects of his game, but he's a good player who can contribute against both the run and pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is due for a monster season in 2026, where he'll cement himself as potentially the top defensive tackle in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1698801} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Braxton-logan-29-tn.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1698801" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='1305637' first='Braxton' last='Logan'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1305637' first='Braxton' last='Logan'] – Briarcrest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1305637' first='Braxton' last='Logan'] is a guy who didn't see a whole lot of playing time in his freshman season at Briarcrest Christian. However, he caught my attention last year at Prep Redzone's Winter Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The then-incoming freshman took home Defensive Line MVP after a dominant day on the gridiron. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a big underclassman at 6-foot and 244 pounds, playing all over the defensive line. Logan saw action in four games this past season, recording seven tackles and one for a loss, but looked impressive when given the opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will take him a few years to reach his full potential, but he's a name to know heading into 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2067239} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-26-2025-1-30-55-PM-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2067239" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland DL D'Von McGhee. Taken by Rusty Miller, MTSU Sidelines.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 D'Von McGhee – Oakland High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland High School's D'Von McGhee was an excellent player on that elite defensive front this year, but was somewhat overshadowed. In 15 games this past season, he totaled 29 tackles, five for a loss and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's one of their only returning starters, which suggests that he's in for a prosperous 2026 campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGhee is a productive pass rusher, but he is also an elite run stuffer at his defensive tackle position. He's undersized at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, but makes up for it with his strength and speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I expect him to put on good weight this offseason, while maintaining his athleticism, making him a scary player for 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1141426} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Will-Pasley-PRZ-28.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1141426" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: GCA (Knoxville) DL [player_tooltip player_id='1038498' first='Will' last='Pasley'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1038498' first='Will' last='Pasley'] – Grace Christian Academy (Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1038498' first='Will' last='Pasley'] is a highly touted in-state defensive lineman who had a strong season for the GCA Rams, recording 23 tackles, nine of which were for a loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a massive man, standing nearly 6-foot-3 and weighing 330 pounds as an interior defensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior is an excellent run stuffer, but can also get after the quarterback. He's strong, physical, shows solid footwork, the ability to fight off multiple blockers and has a knack for finding the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After getting his first varsity action in 2025, he showed the rest of the state what's to come for his high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->