3 Defensive Stars In The Making In The 2026 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're looking at 1 guy in each level of the defense who is developing into a star and top recruit in the class, who just rose again in the most recent rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='560133' first='Brock' last='Brownfield'] - New Palestine - DL - 6'3" 250lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brownfield has had a fast start to his career, being a force right away as a freshman. He's only built upon that by being a more consistent player. Being an interior defensive lineman doesn't get the glory, but when you're a sound player, you can wreck games. Brownfield has strong hands and is violent at the line. He's got a variety of moves he can use in the passing game when rushing the passer. He's shown the ability to shed blocks and make tackles in the running game in the box. He's able to fight off some double teams and split them. It seemed like this year he was working more on pass-rushing moves and keeping his arms tight to his body. Through 2 years, Brownfield has put up 71 tackles, 13 TFLs, 12 hurries, and 4.5 sacks from the interior of one of Indiana's best programs. He's impressive on the tape, has the frame you want, and seems to be a high-motor player. If he can develop in the weight room over the next 2 years, he can easily put himself in a spot to choose his landing spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@BrockBrownfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='560102' first='CJ' last='Sanchez'] - North Judson San-Pierre - ATH - 6'5" 250</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm cheating a little bit to get Sanchez in here, but it's because I feel he's worthy of being mentioned as a top recruit. He's technically a defensive lineman, but I'm listing him as ATH because he's so explosive and lengthy, that some schools have to wonder what he can do with the ball in his hands. Nonetheless, the point remains that defensively, Sanchez checks just about every box you can create. He's got the size, the length, the agility, the explosiveness, pursuit, and the ability to rip the football out. The 6'5" length that he has shows up most on first contact when he's able to move the offensive lineman out of the way before they touch him, and when he's reaching over a gap to grab the ball carrier. In 22 games, Sanchez has 134 tackles, 28 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, 6 fumbles forced/recovered, and broken up a pair of passes. With everything he does rushing the passer, he's still dropped back into coverage from time to time and shown versatility. Sanchez is fun and he earns everything the right way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Cj_Sanchez14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='560085' first='Alex' last='Cravens'] - Sheridan - DB - 6'0" 160lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I appreciate how versatile and hard-hitting Sheridan is for a DB. Through 2 years, it's almost like he's been an additional LB who teleports to the backend if you go to pass. But, if you want to run the ball, he's in the box like a LB. Cravens is smart and seems to be a high-IQ player who doesn't bite on any play-action attempts. His backpedal is not bad and he does a good job keeping his hips open so he can turn and run when and where he needs to. I could be wrong, but I also feel like I remember him at a Prep Redzone showcase, where he had a fantastic 40-yard dash. So much so, that I thought he was an RB. He was well-built, lengthy, had good hands, and was flying around all of the drills, so naturally I assumed he touched the ball. It all starts to make sense when you realize that through his 2 years of Varsity football, he's put up 177 tackles, 88 &amp; 89 each year respectively, 4 TFLs, 2 interceptions, and 3 forced/recovered fumbles. I see it says he's got 95 pass deflections, and while I can't verify that number, from his tape you can see he's got quite a few. He's all over the field, makes the play that needs to be made, and just focuses on his job. Simple things can go far on the field, and Cravens has shown he's capable of doing that and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Alex32Cravens</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->