2026 Defensive Dawgs to Know in the Houston Area

The 2026 class has some gems who may not have gotten the recognition they deserve> Here we will take a look at some of the defensive dawgs who shined last season and will be guys to follow heading into next season. These are players who will be looking to go all out for the senior seasons and solidify themselves as top players in the area. Familiarize yourself with these names and watch as they dominate at their positions.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='1523437' first='Robaire' last='Smith Jr.'] | DE | Ridge Point | 2026   Smith plays with pure strength and power, fighting through would-be blockers and causing havoc in the backfield. His size alone creates issues for offenses and once he fires out of his stance this is little to be done. Smith is a solid wall who gives up little to no ground. In the run game, he powers through the line of scrimmage, taking on pullers and still making stops for minimal gains. Smith shows a great motor by getting after opposing quarterbacks and chasing plays down from the backside. He is apart of a strong unit and plays his role to perfection, disrupting an offense at the point of attack. Smith will draw many eyes with his play and be a name to remember heading into his senior season.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Jack Marchitello | S | Seven Lakes | 2026   Marchitello is a fast flowing safety, diagnosing and reacting to plays with tremendous speed. He can fire downhill and make stops in congested areas as well as setting the edge and not allowing anything on the outside. Marchitello moves with fluidity in the secondary, getting his hips turned at the right times and making excellent plays on the ball. His ball skills pop out on film, high pointing when needed and getting hands on the ball to limit big-time plays. Marchitello will gain the attention from many with his play and is a play to get familiar with.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='1517050' first='Daryl' last='Campbell'] | DT | Paetow | 2026   Campbell makes a claim to be the top player at this position in the area. He is dominate in the interior. Violent hands, quick feet, and a gap mover. Campbell has the power to reset the line of scrimmage and the quickness to close off open run lanes in a hurry. His hand speed and skill are noticeable. He keeps blockers away from his body and dictates the oppositions moves with his strength. Campbell plays with excellent awareness as well, feeling blocks and diagnosing where the play is intending to go. His all-around talent can disrupt an entire game plan and shut down any momentum an opposing may have. Elite talent at the position and a key player not only in the area but the state.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Owen Brown | CB | Katy Taylor | 2026   Brown plays with incredible speed, reading and attacking in a flash. His ability to drive downhill and make plays at the line of scrimmage is nothing short of impressive. Brown can sniff out screens and put receivers in the dirt before they can get their heads turned. He is aggressive and does not shy away from contact, which he shows in the run game. Brown keeps containment and is a great tackler in one-on-one situations. In coverage, Brown shows ball-hawking abilities. He can shadow a receivers movements, get his eyes on the ball, and make momentum-shifting plays in the air. Brown is a key contributor to the Mustang defensive success and is a top returner for them.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Zach Ashour | EDGE | Fort Bend Austin | 2026   Ashour's ability to generate pressure and get to the quarterback made him a standout player last season. His get-off paired with his agility in tight areas helped get him into the backfield in a hurry. Ashour displayed an impressive motor, dipiing and side-stepping blockers, and chasing quarterbacks with relentless pursuit. All of that led to his 11.5 sacks and showed what he is capable of doing. Ashour makes it look easy off the edge and has so much to build on. His skillset at that position makes him a game-changer with the ability to take over a game at any point. Ashour needs to be on the radar and is a player who will be a popular name next season.

The 2026 class has some gems who may not have gotten the recognition they deserve> Here we will take a look at some of the defensive dawgs who shined last season and will be guys to follow heading into next season. These are players who will be looking to go all out for the senior seasons and solidify themselves as top players in the area. Familiarize yourself with these names and watch as they dominate at their positions.