Preseason All-Breakout Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here at Prep Redzone, we're excited for the season. Friday, we released our&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/2026-preseason-all-state-defense/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Preseason All-State Defense</a>&nbsp;and made it free to read for all. While we cover the top prospects well, our bread and butter is our coverage of under-the-radar players. That's what this is. Here's our All-Breakout Team, filled with guys who will be household names by the end of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle.</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Redzone North Carolina Preseason All-Breakout Defense</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: While breakout has many meanings, we're specifically focused on guys who will have much bigger statistical years in 2026 than in 2025. This doesn't mean that a guy has to be a varsity debutant to make the list, but we'll stay away from guys who had big years last season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interior Defensive Line (2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First-Team:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169809' first='MJ' last='Smith']</strong> | Northern Guilford; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2003853' first='Kaiden' last='Okam']</strong> | Mallard Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second-Team:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815350' first='Ja'Andre' last='Beam']</strong> | Crest; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1696871' first='Emmanuel' last='DeBerry']</strong> | Tarboro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147047' first='Zakery' last='Turner']</strong> | South View; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325690' first='Amorie' last='Dabo']</strong> | South Garner; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892101' first='Genesis' last='Allen']</strong> | Rolesville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Analysis:</em>&nbsp;I tried not to pick too many players who fit the "big recruit who hasn't yet broken out on the field" moniker, but had to include Okam in this group. He's been unblockable at major college camps and in the preseason, and should have a massive year for a strong Mavericks team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith waited patiently, but turned plenty of heads at the Carolinas Coaches' Combine this offseason. We expect a big year from him. Beam and DeBerry played sparingly last year, and their size and limited film put them on watchlists. After other guys graduated, they'll get their chances this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner and Dabo have the size, strength, and ability to play early, and should enter the rotation soon after their varsity debuts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Edge Rusher</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First-Team:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2184175' first='Wyatt' last='Gardner']</strong> | Leesville Road; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2256476' first='Aidan' last='Plemons']</strong> | Watauga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second-Team:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2166411' first='David' last='McNair']</strong> | South Meck; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257426' first='AJ' last='Poole']</strong> | Southeast Raleigh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2334024' first='Ezra' last='Jobe']</strong> | Middle Creek; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2263926' first='Major' last='Howell']</strong> | Leesville Road; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2232642' first='Noah' last='Powell']</strong> | Southeast Raleigh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Analysis:</em> There are several ways we hear about breakouts. Gardner checked multiple boxes. He was recommended early in the offseason by his trainer and then dominated at our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prep-redzone-north-carolina-exposure-camp-winners/">Prep Redzone Exposure Camp</a>. Then he was selected as one of three representatives at Media Day. It's a safe assumption that he'll be a big part of the offense. Plemons has gotten excellent reviews from multiple teammates and could be a star for the reigning 6A champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNair's name actually came to me via a college contact. To be honest, it's rare when a college media or coaching contact asks and I don't know a player, but maybe that's how under-the-radar McNair has flown. He certainly doesn't look like a sophomore and could have a huge year. Poole's raw talent is tantalizing, and there's more room now after Southeast Raleigh graduated some top seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jobe played a lot last year, but is in a position to see his production skyrocket. Howell and Powell are two names you'll hear a lot over the next few years. I hate to use multiple guys from the same team (and I did it twice), but I couldn't leave two freshmen who could end up in the top 5 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker (2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First-Team:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1322137' first='Dekhari' last='Hall']</strong> | West Charlotte; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709182' first='Jeremiah' last='Mendinghall']</strong> | Ballantyne Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second-Team:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233057' first='Goodness' last='Okwuosa']</strong> | Sanderson; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748556' first='Jaiylin' last='Watkins']</strong> | Hoke County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2118220' first='Josiah' last='Williams']</strong> | Northside-Jacksonville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599599' first='Brad' last='Earnest']</strong> | Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Analysis:</em> The linebacker position was weirdly difficult, with a relatively weaker departing 2026 class and plenty of established underclassmen starters. Hall and Mendinghall thrived on JV squads and should step up in on varsity in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same could be said for Okwuosa and Watkins, who each have excellent size and speed. Williams and Earnest have been on our radar for a while and are two of a few guys who could take a big step this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back (5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First-Team:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114103' first='Jymel' last='Green']</strong> | Chambers; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616123' first='Langston' last='Pratt']</strong> | Mallard Creek; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325760' first='Jarrod' last='Smith']</strong> | Westover; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206354' first='Zoean' last='McNeil']</strong> | Harding University; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163065' first='Exavier' last='Allen']</strong> | Franklinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second-Team:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005255' first='Jayden' last='Barnes']</strong> | Middle Creek; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612746' first='Korzane' last='Wilkes']</strong> | Corvian Community; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2267047' first='Jazyon' last='Hill']</strong> | Lumberton; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2328263' first='Mikhi' last='Cruickshank']</strong> | E.E. Smith</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1677388' first='CJ' last='Watkins']</strong> | Page; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2232648' first='Carter' last='Jaime']</strong> | Southeast Raleigh; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2247068' first='Bryson' last='Allen']</strong> | Cleveland; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2176519' first='Nana' last='Takyi-Mensah']</strong> | ALA-Johnston; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2243993' first='Trumane' last='Lee']</strong> | RJ Reynolds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Analysis:</em> Breakouts take a variety of forms. From highly recruited players getting their first consistent snaps (Green, Cruickshank) to exciting freshmen (Smith, Hill, Jaime), to JV standouts (Watkins, Lee, Pratt).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In particular, I think McNeil, Allen, and Barnes could have massive seasons. Allen and Barnes have promising coverage skills and a new place on the depth chart to prove it. McNeil has excellent range as a safety. It's a fun group, and we could see them, plus many more, break out in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>How'd we do? Let me know your thoughts and who we left out by reaching out on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>). Stay tuned for a 2029 rankings update, 2030 watchlist debut, and our Week 1 coverage next week.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->