2026 Rankings Update- Talented New Additions (Defense)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back with more on our final 2026 Rankings Update!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're looking at some of the new talented additions on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guys had terrific careers at their schools and deserve some final recognition- so let's dive in and talk about them!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1752495"],"_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-6966ae3170111"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1752495' first='Ami' last='Moala'] is an impressive DL from Thompson who's landed as our #8 DL and #37 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"At 6'4 290, Moala has all the physical traits you want in a DL. He's huge, has unreal strength and power, and is a force in the trenches who can blow up the LOS every single snap.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Moala's skill against the run. He gains so much penetration at the line of scrimmage and doesn't allow the ball carrier to find any yards in his direction. It'll be fun watching him this fall."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a dominant state title run with Thompson this past season, Moala signed with UNC! I'm excited to see what he'll do with the Tarheels. He's a talented DL with a promising future ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17906740/653be4050dc9ee053c3881a0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6966b9bc99ec4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656864"],"_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-6966ae31701a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1656864' first='Davon' last='Young'] is a really talented DL from Theodore who's coming in as our #12 DL and #61 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Young is an every-down threat in the trenches who defends the run and rushes the passer at a high level. I'm really impressed with how he moves at his size. At 6'4 285, Young possesses impressive speed, strength, and pursuit behind the line of scrimmage he uses to consistently create huge stops.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I really love watching how Young defends the run. He's a tough guy to move who frequently stands his ground to eat up space and collapse rushing lanes. Overall, I'm really impressed with Young's tape; he's made a huge impact on Theodore's front over the last two years.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young has signed with Mississippi State and is sure to make an impact in Starkville sooner rather than later. He's a talented DL with a big future ahead of him- I'm excited to see what he does for my alma mater!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17739143/670977bab452005df8b37ead' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6966b9bc99f28"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1757068"],"_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-6966ae3170211"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1757068' first='Jordan' last='Woods'] is a talented DL/EDGE from Pell City who's ranked as our #18 DL and #72 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"At 6'4 240, Woods has the size, speed, and power to overwhelm any offensive lineman in front of him. He's quick off the snap, has active hands, and consistently flies by OL to get into the backfield and create plays for loss.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Woods' skill against the run. He uses his frame and strength to shut down rushing lanes up front, containing RBs behind the line of scrimmage and creating stops for little to no gain.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After dominating for Pell City the last few seasons, Woods signed with Jacksonville State. I think he has a great career ahead of him; he's shown a ton of potential in his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16549092/6900cc2d0d2241dbb0939373' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6966b9bc99f85"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1741300"],"_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-6966ae3170277"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1741300' first='Ayindae' last='Pugh'] is a productive LB from Saraland who's landed as our #9 LB and #112 overall prospect in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1741300' first='Ayindae' last='Pugh'] </strong>is a physical and athletic LB who has no problem covering tons of ground to create some impressive stops. Pugh is quick, has great strength, and is an impressive playmaker in pursuit who can shut down the run and make plays in coverage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Pugh's skills against the run. He's quick to diagnose plays and does a terrific job fighting off blocks to create huge stops down near the line of scrimmage. Everyone should watch out for Pugh and this Saraland defense this fall; they're set up for a big year.</em>“</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pugh had a really impressive senior season over at Saraland last fall and has since signed with Alcorn State. I think he'll ball out at Alcorn and am excited to see him get on the field. He's a great kid and even better player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19354217/68d1fa268a61b935346c64bd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6966b9bc99fc4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1884073"],"_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-6966ae31702d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1884073' first='Cayden' last='Jay Oliver'] is a talented LB from Decatur who's now ranked as our #28 LB and #298 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“<em>Right off the bat, it's clear Oliver is an intelligent defender. He's excellent at identifying plays and consistently puts himself in a great position to create big stops. It's really impressive seeing him fly across the field right into the action. He has a great understanding of what opposing offenses are trying to run.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On top of that, he has the speed, tackling, and pursuit skills to create tons of issues for opposing offenses. Whether it's a run or a pass, Oliver will find a way to make an impact. He's a reliable defender putting together an impressive season so far this fall. Keep watch.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I thought Oliver played great throughout his last year at Decatur. He's a smart and athletic defender with some impressive tape. Make sure you take a look at what he can do below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17666216/692c9d8e804979f842c2bc60' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6966b9bc9a000"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->