2026 Defense Board

DT:
Big class 2 years ago, then 2 last year and those 2 weren’t really our top targets, with Simpson being young and more of a project type. 2 will be the minimum but with the portal give and take, and new roster limits, who knows? 3 is my best guess (I’m sure one may be a combo DE type that is expected to grow) with 4 not even out of the equation for Taylor/D.Lewis combo. I would expect this board to expand with D.Lewis now in the mix. As usual we will see some GA/Alabma kids listed here as those states really produce the position.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18007979/James-Johnson
Transferring from North Fr. Myers to Miami NW… UM lean may also be strengthened because he had ties with Damione Lewis because Colorado was recruiting him heavily being he was from Deion’s HS.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17004981/Vodney-Cleveland (AL)
While it’s still too early for pecking order at this position, I think it’s safe to say this guy is near the top. Early commit but recent de-commit from Alabana but will be a tough pull though from the SEC powers.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/22089580/Freddie-Wilson

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18058695/KeShawn-Stancil (NC)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17492283/Deuce-Geralds (GA)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/15215917/Tomuhini-Topui-Jr (CA) Oregon Commit
(DL/OL)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17922740/Jermaine-Kinsler (NJ) TAMU Commit
(DL) Brother Tommy is an OL at UM whom we supposedly see as a starter at some point of his career, but he remains behind some pretty good players. This Kinsler started a DE prospect but now have to think inside as he just keeps growing. UM was on him really early and been involved for a while but now the early commit to TAMU

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17611405/Lamar-Brown (LA)
UM makes Final 4, and it’s interesting that despite services listing him as the nation’s top guard he insists he wants to play defense and UM is offering him that chance. Could dee him at any OL position, D Tackle or even a DE in a 3-4. LSU thought to lead for freak athlete big man.

Others: Preston Carey, IMG…. Noah Clark, Durham NC… Bryce Robinson (DL), Marietta GA… Kameron Cody, Savannah (GA) Benedictine… Corey Wells, MS…Kendall Guervil, Fort Myers…Jemeion Winfield, Richardson TX

DE/Edge:
JT has cleaned up here the last 2 seasons, and for those who didn’t see the postseason stock of Hayden Lowe exploded and he ended up a high 4 and even 5 star on the sites. This board a little foggy in the early going, somewhat mirroring the rankings with some big national names but I’m sure it will expand.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16710131/Anthony-Tank-Jones (AL)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18178538/Trenton-Henderson
UM on North Florida edge hard, and he’s rated among the top players in the state on every list. Pensacola never an easy pull for UM, but JT has been pulling em from everywhere.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17776474/Shaun-Scott (CA)
West Coast analyst recently called UM the team to beat here for Cali stud. Very nice tape, showing a lot of versatility, Ala Trent Harris. Would be very happy if he hops on board.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17977482/Jake-Kreul
IMG stud originally from Orlando. One of most heavily recruited DE prospects in the national and it’s anybody’s guess, although he does speak well of Jayson Taylor.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17978850/Asharri-Charles

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18504958/KJ-Ford (TX)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17603299/Cam-Brooks (GA)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19522197/Daniel-Norman

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18996888/Jaquez-Wilkes (AL)
(ATH)

Others: Demetrius Geathers, West Boca…. Kamron Wilson, Southridge… James Carrington (DL), Irvine CA…Dre Quinn (DE/TE), Atlanta, GA…Prince Williams Bishop Gordon, NV…Katrell Webb, Suwanee GA…Evan Harvey, Tyrone GA


LB:
I think 3 is a safe number here based on only 2 last season…I would not surprised to see attrition either way at the LB position after spring ball though. Hetherman now doubling as LB coach…He is originally from the Northeast, and his jobs have all been there or in the mid-atlantic before Minny. Board seems to still be developing with the coaching change.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16898420/Jordan-Campbell UM Commit
(ATH) Committed since after his frosh year at Hialeah, now a 2 way standout at Carol City. Has played every position except DT on defense and also plays offense. Natural football player now up over 200 lbs.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18939858/Karon-Maycock FSU Commit
Former safety now has grown into a LB and Jr. tape was impressive. Surpise FSU commit as he was thought to be a UM lock, so maybe Derrick Gibson at Central already paying dividends as FSU tries to get back into their former stronghold.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19293790/JJ-Bush (AL)
(ATH)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19693691/Jamichael-Garrett (AL) Auburn Commit
UM continues to recruit the state of Alabama and they are on a few LB this year. Auburn commit playing for Auburn high but it’s worth noting that it’s first year transferring in as he is form the Mobile area.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17961872/Adam-BalogounAli

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17779842/Simeon-Caldwell

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17372397/Tyler-Atkinson (GA)

OTHERS: Bryant Junius, Chaminade… Shadarius Toodle, Mobile AL…Sincere Johnson, Cleveland OH…Izayia Williams, Leesburg FL UF Commit…Tony Williams, Jacksonville Raines…Malik Morris, Lakeland

————

DB:
Two new DB coaches here and both are vets with proven recruiting ability. Harris brings west coast ties, and Etheridge has recruited the entire SEC county and Texas over the past decade from GA to Texas (Coached at Auburn and Houston, originally from Bama)… UM has a great shot with J’VARI FLOWERS , who would have been a top 3 player in Sofla this year, but he moved up a year, and decides this spring. No idea on numbers, I don’t think it will be a “monster” numbers class but they want to keep the talent coming in after the portal upgrades. My best guess is 5 combined between corner/safety with a couple of combo or nickel guys in there. More is definitely possible, but I would think no less than 4 between all DB positions. Pure safeties seem to be the bigger need right now but alot of that will shake out this spring with possibly more in/out attrition and if any of the corners we brought in end up at nickle or safety.

- CORNERS

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19132238/Jaelen-Waters UM Commit
Awesome nickname “Seat Belt”. Gives 3rd commitment (FSU, UF) to the Canes. Liked UM early on, but gave commitment to Will Harris at UF. Had two teammates become Canes last year, who would have thought Armwood High would become a UM pipeline? Really smooth for a long, rangy kid. Looks like a big-time corner prospect, top 100 kid.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17505550/Danny-Odem-III

https://www.hudl.com/profile/14959292/Jontavius-Wyman (GA) GA Commit

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17955822/Justice-Fitzpatrick
(DB) Minkah’s little bro, like his brother can project to either safety or corner and is the best DB in Sofla this coming cycle. Will be a battle but worth noting that CMC was his brother’s recruiter to Alabama and he was also coached early in his HS career by Jason Taylor at STA. Priority for sure.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17619343/Zyan-Gibson (AL) Bama Commit

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16781676/Camdin-Portis UM Commit
(DB) Clinton’s son started HS career in SC, but now plays in Charlotte. I think he projects best as a big nickle, but could see him all over the secondary and possibly staying outside.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17960313/Dorian-Barney (GA)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19357456/Chauncey-Kennon

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17868245/Brody-Jennings Mich Commit

https://www.hudl.com/profile/22415201/HAYWARD-HOWARD-Jr (LA)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/22872386/CJ-Bronaugh
(ATH)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17721879/Aldarius-Johnson-Jr
(DB) Another UM legacy…Was injured halfway thru Junior season. Not sure where he is on the board at this current time.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17523296/Andre-Clarke (VA)
(DB)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16232866/Nassir-McCoy
(DB)

Others: Corey Lavender, Mater Dei CA…. Hakim Satterwhite, DC St. John’s…Shmar Akande, South Broward Toledo Commit… DJ Williams (ATH), Tampa Carrolwood…Clarence Tucker, Edison…Jordan Edwards, Marietta GA…Jaydin Broadnax (DB), West Boca…Dylan Porter, Tuskegee AL

Safety:

https://www.hudl.com/profile/13605083/Blake-Stewart (GA)
(DB)Big year for DB in GA, and UM is all over a few of them. The whole state but especially the Greater Atlanta area. This kid is reported to be near the top of Etheridge’s list. Great track times and appears to be versatile enough to play safety, nickle, or even corner. Returns kicks as well.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19533797/Cortez-Redding (GA)
Another Atlanta kid we are heavily on and will visit. Teammates with corner Wyman above and both seem to be near the top of UM’s board.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18049300/CJ-Hester
(DB)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18201490/Tedarius-Hughes FSU Commit

https://www.hudl.com/profile/8209954/Ethan-Pouncey
(DB)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16500577/Zech-Fort

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19593618/Markel-Aguirre (GA)
(DB) Our LB Popo’s younger bro. For a while it looked like he was a UM lock, then he pushed back an early January commitment and there’s been less UM interviews/mentions involving him lately. I hope that isn’t the case because I really like this kid’s junior tape. Next few weeks should be telling here. Growing into a LB is a possibility as well.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17699777/Devin-Jackson UF Commit

OTHERS: Jayron Hughley (ATH), Cardinal Newman… Tylan Wilson, MS…Jordan Crutchfield (DB), Fort Pierce Westwood…. Tyriq Green (ATH), Buford GA…Nassir McCoy (DB), Buford GA

I’m not as up on the players as you are but we were really good when we had a good 3 deep rotation with 2 DT and 2 DE on the line. No doubt Damian remembers those days! I think we need some space eaters up front so at least 2 of the 6 DT spots would be the Wilfork types.