2026 Rankings: Top Defensive Lineman

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has released the latest edition of the 2026 Rankings!&nbsp; After breaking down tape for months we have unveiled the new Class of 2026 Top 175!&nbsp; Here are the <strong>Top Defensive Lineman</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801878' first='McHale' last='Blade'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Extremely impressive tape from this 6'4" 230 pound defensive end who is on the move to Simeon for his final two years.&nbsp; He has a big frame with strength and long arms.&nbsp; Very physical at the point of attack being able to blow up tackles with his bull rush.&nbsp; Plays with a ton of pop.&nbsp; Quickness and burst off the ball are excellent.&nbsp; Gets in the backfield vs the run and makes impactful plays fighting through traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399927' first='Gabriel' last='Hill'] (Naperville North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill is a 6'3" 250 pound defensive tackle who has a good frame to continue to add strength.&nbsp; Great use of his hands and lives in the backfield vs both the pass and run.&nbsp; Gets up field consistently.&nbsp; Quickness and burst off the snap.&nbsp; Speed pursuing ball carrier.&nbsp; Good pass rusher including bull rush along with up and under moves.&nbsp; Stuffs in the run game.&nbsp; Bats down passes and overall makes very impactful plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='270192' first='Braeden' last='Jones'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a defensive end that might be best in a 3-4 system.&nbsp; Great size and frame.&nbsp; Best in the run game as he holds his ground at the point of attack coming off the block to make tackle.&nbsp; Uses his hands well and fights through traffic to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801702' first='Jacob' last='Alexander'] (Lincoln Way East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and lanky 6'4" defensive end that has some outside linebacker as edge rusher potential.&nbsp; Needs to add more strength.&nbsp; The explosiveness is super impressive as he showed on a spin move for strip sack.&nbsp; Consistently gets up field with explosiveness.&nbsp; Runs very well and is a plus athlete.&nbsp; Sheds against the run to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208769' first='King' last='Liggins'] (Brother Rice)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liggins is a defensive end/defensive tackle combo that has a ton of quickness and burst off the snap. Powerful getting up field and stuffs very well against the run. Finds back through traffic.&nbsp; Technically sound player that has been well coached.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->