New Defensive Additions to the 2026 Top 150

Code PRZWV30 for 30% off your subscription!   The 2024 WV high school football season has completed and now it's time to spotlight the 2026 class with the winter rankings update. Here are the new defensive prospects who were added to the Top 150 rankings.    2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1324991' first='Malcolm' last='Brown'] was a bright spot during a rough season for South Charleston earning 2nd Team All-MSAC honors. Brown totaled 53 tackles and 2 interceptions during his junior season along with 1,000 all-purpose yards. He's a versatile athlete who can line up in a variety of spots on both sides of the ball but appears to have the highest ceiling at safety. Brown is a physical player who will come downhill and lay the boom and has the athleticism to cover ground quickly. Box safety feels like his best role as a talented run-stopper who can rush the passer as well.      2026 Morgantown DB [player_tooltip player_id='1605281' first='Jayden' last='Smalls'] got his first action as a varsity football player this season for the Mohigans and flashed real potential as a defensive back prospect. His best football is ahead of him as he's still very much raw, but Smalls has the athleticism and tools to continue developing into a top DB prospect in this class. He's been mostly a basketball player until this season but is learning the game quickly and could earn some D2 opportunities for football during his senior year.      2026 Cabell Midland OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='989040' first='Bradley' last='Edens'] got his first extended varsity run for the Knights this season and showed promise on both sides of the line. Edens could play on either side at the next level but will debut as a Top 15 defensive lineman in this update. He's a stout and stocky interior lineman who can take on multiple blockers and open lanes for his linebackers. Edens is strong at the point of attack and can split double teams to get penetration into the backfield.      2026 Parkersburg South DB [player_tooltip player_id='894769' first='Derek' last='Sandy'] was very productive for the Patriots this season as the second-leading tackler on the team. Sandy totaled 136 tackles and 6.5 TFLs from his safety spot as a downhill run-stopping defensive back. Sandy is a physical downhill tackler who's very good at reading and dissecting run plays and short passes with very good pursuit of the ball. He's a thumping tackler who plays well in space and takes good angles on ball carriers.      [player_tooltip player_id='1605315' first='Travis' last='Correia'] stepped in for Spring Mills along the defensive line this season and made some nice plays in the limited film available. Correia can play inside or outside in 3 and 4-man fronts with the body type to be versatile at this stage of his career. He has the frame to grow into a full-time interior role at the next level which appears to be his future given his play style. Correia is a three-sport athlete as he also wrestles and plays lacrosse but his body is trending towards being a football prospect if he chooses.      2026 Capital DL [player_tooltip player_id='1607427' first='Tomas' last='Cintron'] is another rising senior interior defensive lineman to know heading into 2025. Cintron was a Second Team All-MSAC performer this season for the Cougars and showed some good things in his limited junior film. Cintron is a strong and powerful athlete who uses his hands well and gets consistent push. He can take on and fight through double teams to make a play at the line of scrimmage with penetration into the backfield at times. With more film next season, Cintron can play himself into some D2 looks as a senior.      [player_tooltip player_id='1605367' first='Chase' last='Riggs'] is another interior lineman to know out of Winfield who could play on either side of the line in college. Riggs can line up as a 0-tech or shade over between the guard and center in a multitude of alignments. He's a strong and physical athlete who fires off the ball and can get push in 1-on-1 blocks. Riggs is a run-stopping and space-eating interior lineman who will make plays at the line of scrimmage. We couldn't find social media for Riggs, but he appears to be a prospect capable of D2 looks during his senior year.      Another Capital Cougar to know in the 2026 class is DB/Lb hybrid [player_tooltip player_id='1050583' first='Christian' last='Robinson']. Robinson made a big jump in his development from his sophomore to junior year which showed up on his highlight tape. He's still growing into a true linebacker body but has the athleticism to play a hybrid role at the next level depending on how his body develops. Robinson is a versatile defender who can play all three roles of an outside linebacker dropping into coverage, containing outside runs, and rushing off the edge. If he makes another big jump during his senior year, Robinson can boost his rankings and opinions from colleges.      2026 University DB [player_tooltip player_id='1605316' first='Kayden' last='Coles'] showed a lot of potential during his junior year for the Hawks and debuts as a Top 15 defensive back in the rankings. He's still raw but was trusted to play a lot of single man coverage this season which speaks to his ability and trust from his coaches. Athleticism isn't an issue with Coles as he has the tools to continue developing his coverage skills. Once he hones in his ability to play the ball in the air and track receivers better, Coles will raise his ceiling immensely as a potential scholarship-level prospect.

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