Which Defensive Players Boosted Stock Most in Final 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “BLACKFRIDAY2025” for 50% off your annual subscription THIS WEEK ONLY***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which previously ranked prospects on the defensive side of the ball made the biggest move up the board in the Prep Redzone Final 2026 Rankings?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669956' first='Aidan' last='Solecki'] (Downers Grove North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #74 to #38</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite going down mid-season with a season ending injury Solecki showed enough on tape that the Purdue commit made a big move up the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224224' first='Gavin' last='Neil'] (Marian Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #75 to #39</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another defensive lineman headed to a P4 school made a big jump as we really liked what we saw from Neil throughout the season with his athleticism and productivity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550211' first='Jordan' last='Lampkins'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #143 to #45</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The anchor of the Bolingbrook secondary made major strides as a senior with his coverage skills on the back end.&nbsp; He is headed to Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585282' first='Kendall' last='Griffin'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #73 to #46</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This defensive back from the city had an outstanding season which resulted in him moving up and committing to Wyoming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669997' first='Troy' last='Garner'] (Rich Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #117 to #48</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hard hitting safety that changed the game consistently and will be a great addition to a strong Northern Illinois class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605601' first='Colton' last='Benaitis'] (Lockport)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #114 to #51</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benaitis produced at a high level throughout the season helping his squad get to the semifinals.&nbsp; He is committed to Central Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801717' first='Markius' last='Woods'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #126 to #70</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woods is a two way lineman that a lot of schools are intrigued by with what he can do as an athletic defensive tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310366' first='Moussa' last='Mbengue'] (Moline)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #158 to #71</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mbengue popped on tape all year long with his explosiveness and quick twitched pass rushing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578949' first='Gavin' last='Conjar'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moved Up from #278 to #140</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undersized at only 5'9”, but man does Conjar make plays consistently as he has a nose for the ball as a safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->