2026 Rankings Update- Defensive Stock Risers Moving Up Our List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've released our FINAL 2026 Rankings Update!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that, we're checking out some of the prospects who rose up our lists after their dominant seasons this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're watching some of our defensive stock risers, so let's dive in and see who landed where. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1642089"],"_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-69666b0fd4028"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1642089' first='Justyn' last='Hartley'] is a talented EDGE from Hoover who's now ranked as our #6 EDGE and #36 overall player in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Hartley is an instinctual defender who consistently puts himself in great position to make game-changing plays all around the field, forcing turnovers, generating pressure, and racking up sacks and plays behind the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Hartley is really athletic and is a difference-maker every snap. He's really quick, has great size, and has great closing speed he uses to come up with huge stops against the run and pass. It will be exciting watching him play out his senior year this fall. He has a ton of potential.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After dominating for the Bucs last fall, Hartley signed with Kentucky, where he's sure to be an instant contributor. I'm excited to watch Hartley moving forward. He's a talented defender with the best ahead of him in Lexington!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14893284/66e32ae56c7f35c7abac9e46' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69666e974da76"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678211"],"_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-69666b0fd4092"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1678211' first='Malique' last='Franklin'] was a breakout star for Daphne's defense last fall, rising all the way up to becoming our #4 DL and #27 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Franklin has terrific speed off the line of scrimmage. He explodes off the snap, uses his violent hands to fly by linemen, and makes a ton of stops in pursuit. When you combine his speed with his power and leverage, it makes him virtually unblockable at the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm really impressed with Franklin's pass rush. He's constantly generating pressure or placing hits on the QB, making life difficult every single rep. He's an all-around well-rounded defender with a huge rest of the year ahead.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin showed a ton of great things on tape throughout the season, leading to him eventually signing with Alabama in December. I think they've picked up a gem in Franklin; we'll all have to keep track of him moving forward!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18464733/68dd2dbd5a1ed76307e42cc1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69666e974dad2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1630521"],"_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-69666b0fd40d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1630521' first='Jackson' last='Carlisle'] is an impressive DL from Central Tuscaloosa who's now ranked as our #48 prospect in the state and #11 DL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“<em>Carlisle is a force on the line of scrimmage. He explodes off the snap, has quick, violent hands, and can completely overwhelm OL with his size, speed, and strength. It's seriously impressive seeing how Carlisle wins in the trenches- he has a wide variety of moves he uses to get by offensive linemen, and makes it look effortless.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Once in the backfield, Carlisle is terrific at generating pressure, forcing bad decisions, and taking down the quarterback. He also presents a ton of obstacles against the run- he's terrific in pursuit and is a great tackler who doesn't allow for any additional yards after making contact.</em>“</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlisle had a huge season this past fall and ended up signing with Boston College in December. He's a great kid with a ton of talent; I'm excited to see how he performs at the next level - we'll be sure to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17724262/68d97e27a02fc28d2aaabf72' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69666e974db18"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401122"],"_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-69666b0fd4137"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401122' first='Kristan' last='Moore'] is a dominant LB from Selma who had a meteoric rise in our rankings, landing as our #16 overall prospect and #2 LB in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Moore is a dominant pass rusher with an explosive first step, great speed and bend, and violent hands he uses to overwhelm and work around offensive tackles to get to the quarterback. Moore was constantly in the backfield last season. He's a tough guy to block and works with relentless effort to get behind the line and create plays for loss.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Moore's skills in pursuit- he has some serious closing speed and can hunt down and make highlight plays behind the line of scrimmage against the run and pass.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've become a huge fan of Moore's in the past year. He's an underrated defender who can line up and dominate wherever you place him. He'll be a huge asset for Oklahoma moving forward- just watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17687549/6914b5abcc4483b5a6c1e62d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69666e974db5a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622128"],"_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-69666b0fd417d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1622128' first='Will' last='Phillips'] is a talented Hewitt-Trussville S who's become our #82 prospect and #15 DB in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“<em>At 6'3 180, Phillips has great size and provides blanket coverage on smaller targets downfield. He's highly instinctual and is excellent at getting his hands on the ball, consistently breaking up passes and making some incredible interceptions downfield.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Phillips is great at defending the run- he's really athletic. plays with great pursuit, and consistently flies downhill to tackle the ball carrier near the line of scrimmage.</em>“</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After providing several years of great production in Hewitt-Trussville's secondary, Phillips signed with Old Dominion! He's talented enough to possibly see the field early in college. We'll all have to wait and see, but I know I'm excited!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19765936/6748f91ea523797f61b94125' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69666e974dba3"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->