Week 3 Rewind: Top Rising Defensive Stat Winners

With Week 3 in the books, a number of defensive playmakers continued to separate themselves with big-time statistical performances under the lights. Here's a look at the rising names who made the biggest impact this week and who are off to very strong starts to begin their 2026 campaigns.   Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code PaulG30 at checkout!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Klinger is one of the top tacklers across Idaho and is very active at the second level of the defense and is going to be a big time steal for a college program here late. He triggers quickly, can knife into the backfield and is very physical in the box and plays violent at all times packing a punch at the POA. He shows good athletic abilities in space, can cover downfield and is a high IQ player that can roam around and shock and shed off blocks while not afraid to bang in the box. He had a big Friday night, posting an absurd 18 tackles and 1 sack on the night and should be atop the tackle leaders in Idaho by the time the season comes to a close.     Riley is one of the top sack leaders across the state through three weeks and is a active rusher that can play anywhere along the front and is a twitched up and quick pass rusher that uses his size and speed to get underneath blockers and collapse the pocket quickly. He redirects quickly in the open field, shows he can play stout and shock and shed in the run game as well and is a technically sound player off the edge that despite being undersized is a complete nightmare to deal with. Through the first few weeks of play Riley has erupted for 5.5 sacks and 11 TFL's so far and should be leading the state in both categories to this point.     Williams has been active up front for Wallace to start the season and has shown pass rush abilities from anywhere up front and is another kid that should be atop the sack leader rankings by the end of the year. He is a high motor guy that is always around the ball, can make plays backside and plays tough against the run, shocking and locking out on the LOS and eating up blocks well, especially for his size. This week he erupted for ten tackles on the night and was unblockable and could be a nice steal at the D3 level.     Carlisle is a very smart and instinctual linebacker with closing speed and can make tackles outside from sideline to sideline and tracks down ball carriers quickly while showing he can knife into the backfield and play tough inside. He has been off to a great start to his senior season campaign and has now put up big time tackle numbers in back to back weeks for Bear Lake. On Friday night he posted 12 tackles and was showing cover abilities downfield and applying pressure from the second level consistently through out the contest. He is another player that should draw some D3 interest and could be a next level guy at that level in the right program.     Mogan has been very active from the third level to start the year and has been putting up some big numbers week in and week out. He is a fluid player in pass coverage, shows violent hands and balance in press coverage while able to turn and run/break to ball carriers quickly on the perimeter. Mogan also flashes he can close quickly on the outside in the run game and has natural hands and highpoint abilities when attacking the ball in the air and can redirect and find the ball at the POA. He had another stellar week and posted 11 tackles with multiple PBU's for Mountain Home and is a key small school player to know and watch.

With Week 3 in the books, a number of defensive playmakers continued to separate themselves with big-time statistical performances under the lights. Here's a look at the rising names who made the biggest impact this week and who are off to very strong starts to begin their 2026 campaigns.