New Additions 2029: Defense

The 2029 class continues to take shape, and after another round of evaluations, several young defensive prospects have earned their way onto the radar. With the season getting underway, we're starting to see which players can translate their physical tools and offseason potential into varsity production. This group features defenders across the defensive line, linebacker corps, and secondary who have shown the size, athleticism, instincts, and long-term upside to develop into legitimate college prospects. These are some of the newest defensive additions to the 2029 North Carolina rankings and names worth tracking closely over the next several seasons.    Stevenson is already emerging as one of the more intriguing athletes in the 2029 class, with multiple offers already on the table. He brings legitimate speed, reportedly running in the 4.5 range, along with the versatility to impact a defense in several spots. Stevenson has the coverage ability, movement skills, and athleticism you see from a defensive back, but his frame and physicality could eventually make linebacker his long-term position at the next level. His ability to run and cover gives him the upside to become a true three-down defender as he continues to develop.     Sheppard is an impressive young defensive lineman with a 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame that immediately stands out for a 2029 prospect. He combines that size with impressive explosiveness off the ball, allowing him to quickly get into the backfield and disrupt plays. There is plenty of room for continued physical development, and his combination of size, power, and explosiveness gives him legitimate next-level upside along the defensive front.     Lineberger is a talented two-way prospect for Hibriten, but his long-term projection could be off the edge at the next level. He plays with a strong combination of strength and quickness, while his hand placement already stands out for a young defensive lineman. Lineberger does a good job engaging and working off blocks, and he brings a toughness and physical style to every snap. As he continues to develop physically, his tools give him plenty of upside as an edge defender in the 2029 class.     Jackson is a young edge prospect who has the tools to become one of the names to know in the 704 area. At 6-foot-4, he already possesses excellent size and length for the position with plenty of room to continue developing his frame. His physical upside makes him an intriguing prospect coming off the edge, and as his production begins to match his tools, Jackson has a chance to become a major riser in the 2029 class.     Smith put together a strong offseason, showing his ability throughout the 7v7 circuit this summer and carrying that momentum into several spring camp settings. He is a quick, instinctive defensive back with natural playmaking ability, showing the movement skills and ball skills needed to make plays in coverage. The tools are there, and the next step is translating those flashes into consistent varsity production. If Smith puts up the numbers this season, he has a chance to make an even bigger jump in the 2029 rankings.     Gary is a talented two-way lineman for Trinity Christian, but his long-term projection is on the defensive side of the ball. He is a tough, explosive interior defender who can penetrate gaps and create disruption in the backfield. What really stands out is his movement ability for a defensive lineman—Gary has the speed and athleticism to pursue running backs and make plays outside the tackle box. His combination of quickness, toughness, and interior explosiveness makes him an intriguing 2029 defensive prospect to follow.     Massey is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who consistently finds his way to the football. He plays with a high motor, closes space quickly, and has the instincts to develop into a true tackling machine at the second level. Massey also contributes offensively, which speaks to his overall athleticism and versatility. Defensively, his ability to run, pursue, and finish tackles makes him a young 2029 linebacker worth keeping an eye on.     Brown is a versatile two-way prospect who can make an impact on either side of the football, but his defensive upside really stands out. He has the physicality and toughness to play in the box like a linebacker, while possessing the athleticism and coverage ability to match up in space. That combination gives Brown plenty of positional versatility and allows him to be used in multiple roles defensively. He is a special athlete with the tools to develop into a difference-maker in the 2029 class.

The 2029 class continues to take shape, and after another round of evaluations, several young defensive prospects have earned their way onto the radar. With the season getting underway, we're starting to see which players can translate their physical tools and offseason potential into varsity production. This group features defenders across the defensive line, linebacker corps, and secondary who have shown the size, athleticism, instincts, and long-term upside to develop into legitimate college prospects. These are some of the newest defensive additions to the 2029 North Carolina rankings and names worth tracking closely over the next several seasons.