Elite Defenders Pull The Curtain On Prep Careers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Prep Season in the books, here is a look at five of the top-ranked defensive players in the Kansas Class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of them have announced their college attentions, while the other three are still believed to be uncomitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904447"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f04f3eaec1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dunnigan finished his high school career in the grandest fashion of all. The Manhattan defensive back and his Indian teammates finished with a blowout win in the Class 6A State Title Game. He played a key role in the title games as the Indians' defense shut out Olathe Northwest. The No. 2-ranked athlete in the Kansas Class of 2026 finished his senior season with 57 total tackles. He recorded four tackles for lost yardage, one quarterback sack, and three pass breakups. Over the past three seasons, he tallied 151 total tackles and four interceptions. He has verbally committed to Miami University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1083225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f04f3eaf69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kern and his Panther teammates reached the Class 5A State Semifinals, where they lost to the eventual State Champion Salina Central Mustangs. The Great Bend linebacker finished with back-to-back-to-back (I love typing that) seasons with 100-plus tackles. During his senior campaign, he recorded 128 tackles in 12 games played. Over four seasons of varsity action he finished with a grand total of 410 total tackles. He is ranked No. 44 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. To my knowledge, he is still an uncommitted prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228925"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f04f3eafde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heller's senior season ended with a playoff loss to St. James Academy in the Class 5A. Heller is a brute defensive lineman ranked No. 49 overall. He finished his senior season with a career-high 49 tackles in 11 games played. He also set a career-high in tackles behind the line of scrimmage with 14. Over his past three seasons, he registered 119 total tackles, 21 TFLs, and 7.5 quarterback sacks. He has the size an</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["705204"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f04f3eb0e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Overton finished his ball-hawking career with the Owls. During his senior season, he broke up eight pass attempts and recorded 47 tackles in 11 games played. West's season ended with a Class 6A Playoff loss to rival Olathe Northwest. Overton is ranked No. 53 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He also recovered two fumbles in his final season with the Owls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1363887"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f36c4bbfc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emanuel and Piper's season came to an end with a Class 4A Playoff loss to Ottawa. He finished his senior season with 55 tackles and a career-high six quarterback sacks. He recorded totals of 162 tackles and 13 sacks. He is ranked No. 61 overall and has verbally committed to Northwest Missouri. The Bearcats are getting a defensive lineman who contribute early in his college career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->