DE Season Preview: Committed 2026 Prospects (1/2)

After doing a deep dive on prospects from throughout the state, I'm kicking off my findings with evaluations of the guys who are already committed to play in college. Here's part 1:    Overview: A quarterback with prototypical physical tools, Budinger towers over the defense out of the shotgun and stands firm in the pocket. He tends to exploit the defense up the seams and out on the perimeter. He can throw darts through traffic or later the ball on deep routes. The future Monmouth signal caller also uses different angles to get the ball out in the RPO/quick game. He isn't exactly a statue either. Budinger is decently agile in the pocket and mobile enough that, when he's outside, he can open up his stride and turn the corner. At the next level, he projects well into a system that uses heavy play-action and a rhythm passing game that allows him to keep the offense on-schedule and push the ball down field.     Overview: With his length, motor, and powerful lower half, Chukwurah is a high-impact pass rusher. He can dip his shoulder and bend around the edge or long-arm his way to the pocket. Even when he doesn't get the sack, he's still able to apply pressure on the QB. As a run defender, he can stack and shed blocks, then get tackles for loss. At the next level. he has the agility and flexibility to stay on the edge as a 5 tech or strongside D-End. But he also has the frame to add mass and kick inside as a 3 technique defensive end, even if it's just situationally.     Overview: Carter is an aggressive defender on the backend, whether he's making a play on the ball or coming up to lay the wood. He mostly lines up at corner, excelling in off-man or cover 3. Seeing his man and the QB, he's able to flip his hips and track the ball in the air or back pedal then break on the ball. As a tackler, Carter is eager to disengage from blocks out wide or fill the alley. Because of his size and ball skills, his highest upside is as a Safety who can play Free or Strong depending on what the defense calls for. His tools and skillset translate to being a Cover 3 Corner at Temple as well.     Overview: Garrett is a big outside receiver who wins down the field. Not a burner but he has build-up speed for on posts and go routes. Garrett shows strong hands on contested catches in the redzone on jumpballs and underneath on hitches and comebacks. He's a linear athlete who is best moving vertically down the field, but he decelerates well when he has to put his foot in the ground to stop. Not much wiggle; breaks tackles with his strength and stiff arms. Garrett projects as an X who can separate/win 1-on-1 and versus zone at the catch-point.     Overview: Henriquez is both a crisp route runner and a burner at wideout. He lines up in the slot and out wide. Whether he's breaking in or out, Henriquez can snap his route off or change directions at the drop. And when he gets a free release, he automatically puts defensive backs on their heels as he threatens to take one over the top. His coaches move him around like a chess piece, lining him in the backfield, in addition to the traditional receiver positions. Because of how dynamic he is for his size, Henriquez does project best as a Z but he's more so a pure athlete you want to get the ball to in space.     Overview: Pope is an outside receiver with some suddenness and twitch. His short-area quickness allows him to get off press coverage at the line of scrimmage and make defenders miss after the catch. He has the big play ability to turn 5 into 20 and 20 into 40. His agility, speed, and strength open up the full route tree for him. And though he's not the tallest pass catcher, Pope even wins at the top of the route on fades with his ball skills and footwork. He projects as an X and/or a Z due to how well he stretches the field and creates YAC. Pope also has the movement skills and tools to be an elite defensive back.

After doing a deep dive on prospects from throughout the state, I'm kicking off my findings with evaluations of the guys who are already committed to play in college. Here's part 1: