2026 Rankings – Top LB/DB Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season is right around the corner and at the conclusion of spring practices across Oklahoma, it's a perfect time to update the prospect rankings! We started this week with the state's 2026 class and went from a Top 25 to a Top 50. If you missed that update,&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/updated-2026-oklahoma-rankings-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you can check out the list right here</a></strong>! Throughout the week, we're diving deep into the rankings with prospect breakdowns. We're discussing why these players are already on our radar and already on the radar for the next level. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma and see some of the other prospect breakdowns up on the site now!. And check back each Monday this month for a new ranking update! Next week, we'll be updating the 2025 class ranking to feature the Top 125 juniors in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this breakdown, we're putting a spotlight on some of the top linebackers and defensive backs in the latest ranking update. This group features a couple top ten overall prospects and a few more prospects that are primed for big seasons this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587262"],"_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_0_evaluation":"There's only a handful of 2026 prospects in the state that have already earned a D1 offer and Del City linebacker [player_tooltip player_id=u0022587262u0022] is one of them. On a very talented Del City defense last season, not only did Holmes see plenty of playing time, he fit right in with guys who signed with Power 5 programs. We also got a chance to see Holmes on offense last year but with a very talented running back getting the majority of the reps this fall, we anticipate Holmes being able to focus on defense and be one of the better linebackers in Class 5A. The ceiling is already very high as Del City continues to crank out some really good prospects and specifically on the defensive side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["402375"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The other top ten overall prospect is in the secondary with Bethany's [player_tooltip player_id='402375' first='Evenson' last='Malaska'] at the cornerback position. Malaska was really impressive when we watched him in person last season in the Class 4A playoffs. As we've mentioned in the past, Malaska first stood out as the younger brother of current Utah Ute Jocelyn Malaska. Just like his older brother, Evenson definitely has potential to end up at the D1 level and within the power five as long as he continues to work on his craft. He appears to be ahead of the game early on in his career and there's a lot of excitement about his potential moving forward. Malaska is going to be one of the better athletes on the field and we're curious how Bethany will use him in other areas as well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["587269"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Nathan Hale appears to be primed for a big turnaround when you look at some of the talent they have coming back on both sides of the ball. Leading the way on the defensive side of the ball will be [player_tooltip player_id='587269' first='Carmello' last='Williamson'] at the linebacker position. Williamson is going to be a game-wrecking backer coming off the edge for the Rangers. He could be listed as a linebacker or defensive end when you consider how close to the line of scrimmage he's going to be throughout the season. But we like Williamson at the linebacker position and based on his film from his freshman season, he's going to be an absolute problem for opposing offensive linemen. Williamson comes off the edge with bad intentions each time.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["587270"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"We didn't know much about Heritage Hall's freshman [player_tooltip player_id='587270' first='Jerrod' last='Williams'] prior to the state championship game. But we got acquainted with him very quickly. He ended up leading the Chargers in tackles during that championship victory over pass-heavy Metro Christian. And Williams has had a good offseason and we've had the benefit of seeing him in person during our 7v7 tournament back in late February. He was a standout that weekend and he is primed for a big sophomore campaign this fall for the Chargers. We're interested to see how much Heritage Hall will use him on offense as well but it appears that his highest ceiling will be on the defensive side of the ball and specifically at cornerback.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["587272"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Jones linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='587272' first='Luke' last='DeBusk'] was one of the more productive defensive players in the state's 2026 class last season. We wrote about DeBusk a few times this offseason because of the production and plays that he put on film last year. One of the things that stood out to us then and deserves repeating is his ability to step up not only early on but in some of their bigger games during the non-district slate. DeBusk was a tackling machine and should continue to get better moving forward. We really like the potential of this Jones standout and specifically at middle or inside linebacker. He's your prototypical run stopper and a guy that's going to make a lot of tackles over the next three seasons.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["587267"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"We really like what Putnam City West is building with some outstanding prospects and specifically on the defensive side of the ball. They have some outstanding athletes and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='587267' first='Savion' last='James'] definitely belongs in that list. Last season, as a freshman, James was thrown into the fire at cornerback and excelled. James really excelled in man to man skills because he had the athleticism, sudden burst and overall speed to keep up with any wide receiver. James also did a good job of peaking at the quarterback while in man to man and would be able to be in a position to make a play on the ball. James is yet another prospect that could really jump up the rankings with more production on the field.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["858874"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Our final prospect was a newcomer to the latest ranking update after emerging at our latest prospect camp in April. Yukon's [player_tooltip player_id='858874' first='Destry' last='Lujan'] was one of the better linebackers in a group that was absolutely loaded and talented. Lujan is certainly a prospect that we're going to keep an eye on this fall as the Millers work under a new head coach. Lujan could be a breakout star for Yukon this season and if that happens, he could see his status in the 2026 class go up. Lujan did a good job of moving around in space and getting from point A to point B in a hurry. But we're looking forward to seeing the Yukon backer when the pads come on this season. He impressed in a camp setting and should perform well this fall.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648cae72449b1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->