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/17611405/Lamar-Brown (LA)
(OL/DT) My guess would be Tamu if he does somehow flip from LSU’s literal black yard but UM was in top 3 first time around, and who knows with coaching change.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17822470/Logan-Nagle (NJ) UM Commit

https://www.hudl.com/profile/20467444/Tyson-Bacon (AL) UM Commit
(DL)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/22691795/Frederic-Sainteus. UM Commit
Former FAU commit really started blowing up this summer with UF, MSU, Wisky offers as well as FSU, GA, and others interest. Looks every bit of 290, and has only played football for a couple of years.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17732299/Isaac-Chukwurah (DEL) UM Commit
(DL)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18058695/KeShawn-Stancil (NC) UM Commit
UM flips a Clemson DT that they’ve liked since early on. Plays both inside and DE for his HS Team, but at 275 with a big frame he is almost certainly a DT. Nice get.

Others: Bryce Perry-Wright (DL), Buford GA TAMU Commit…James Johnson Miami NW, TX Commit

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. As late summer approaches the net was way too small this cycle imo, and I hope he has something up his sleeve late.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16710131/Anthony-Tank-Jones (AL) Oregon Commit
(DL) Again, it seems like kids from SEC strongholds know how to play their cards and could just be driving up price for the hometown team. There was UM noise for a good while, but we weren’t even in the top 3 when he chose the Ducks. UPDATE: He visited for ND and UM is supposedly making another push.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17978850/Asharri-Charles UM Commit
UM commit has put on some size and is one of the best DE in the state. Flirting with FSU here though and he has teammates there.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17815296/DeAnthony-Lafayette UM Commit
(LB/DE)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19782434/Dre-Quinn (GA) OSU Commit
UM vs. Tenn and OSU for former Clemson commit…Plenty of major d1 teammates at Buford, many who we recruited early on or still recruiting. Not sure at this moment if he is a definite take for OSU but he is scheduled to visit there and a possibility. UPDATE: Commits to OSU 8/15

Others: Jacques Wilkes, Wadley AL Auburn Commit


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 then a 2 way standout at Carol City, and now at MNW 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/19588569/JJ-Edwards UM Commit

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17512113/Mathieu-Lamah (VA)
PSU de-commit. Says he’s talked to Hetherman all along since he was hired at UM, and it is ramping up since he de-committed.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17756774/Kenneth-Goodwin-Jr SMU Commit
Originally from Vegas, the played the middle of his high school career at Cali before playing this final season at Miami Edison.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18679117/Karsten-Busch (KY) UM Commit
Miami back in the picture and it sounds like UM vs. Wisky for former Louisville commit. Big MLB prospect that can really run

Others: Kemoni Morales, American Heritage GT Commit

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)… 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. but more is definitely a possibility. 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 committed to now UM DB coach 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/14959292/Jontavius-Wyman (GA) UM Committ
(ATH) Big flip here for UM…Former Georgia commit excellent tape in all 3 phases of the game.

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. Wasn’t sure on speed but now posted 10.97 100m this spring, so that’s good to see.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17868245/Brody-Jennings UM Commit
The last Jennings brother had a mediocre career at UM before transferring out. Michigan Flip with very smooth back pedal and turn for a tall, rangy corner

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19435027/Kenton-Dopson-III
His reclassification is a done deal Best CB in Sofla for a few years now, maybe even back to Surtain and Campbell. North Carolina smoke finally comes to fruition as he flips from UM to UNC

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16328933/Asaad-Chapman (CA Juco)

Others: Kosci Barnes (DB), Greensboro NC South Carolina Commit… JJ Conyers, Sumner Riverview Rutgers Commit

Safety:

https://www.hudl.com/profile/13605083/Blake-Stewart (GA) Clemson Commit
(DB) Natural safety but nice track times and appears to be versatile enough to play nickle, or even corner. Committed to Clemson over UM on 7/12 as they continue their success in the greater ATL area. Update: De-commits 10/2727…Crystal Balls starting to come in from UM over Vandy by hometown GA may pull the trigger. One of my favorite recruits in this class, no idea how he isn’t ranked higher. I hate to throw this out here, but there is some Ed Reed in his game.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/19533797/Cortez-Redding (GA) UM Commit
Teammates with UM corner commit Wyman and joins him as as commit here in late July…Real nice tape, tenacious with an excellent break on the football. Size is a question, but good get and could see him at nickle if too small for safety.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/17955822/Justice-Fitzpatrick GA Commit
Minkah’s younger brother that UM continues to recruit despite GA pledge. The word is he is at least listening, and his brother is back in Miami with the 'fins.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/16232908/Tyriq-Green (GA) GA Commit
(ATH)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/18197656/JJ-Dunnigan (KS)
(DB) Was committed to KU most of the way, despite offers from a lot of “better programs”…11.0 flatfish speed at 6’2 200. Plays mostly corner in HS but can be moved around and I think is ultimately a safety or nickle.

OTHERS: Tedarius Hughes, Miami NW Syracuse Commit…. Markell Taylor, Dallas GA Cincy Commit… Jett Washington, Las Vegas Oregon Commit

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.

Some recent updates

UM flips DB Wyman from Georgia

1 Like

Realistic (long shot ok, extreme long shot not included) Top of Defensive Board Targets, jmo

DT- Johnson/Cleveland
DE- Wilkes/Jones
LB- Campbell*/Ebenhart
CB- Waters*/ Kennon/ Benjamin
DB/S- Fitzpatrick/Fort

We keep missing on top DT talent. We seem to do well on the DE side but DT seems very weak in recruiting minus a hit or two here and there. Not sure why? Hopefully Lewis can fix this. As long as Georgia keeps putting out top DT talent…well:)

LB is such an influx position these days, isn’t it? Our scheme usually has 2 on the field most times. Would love to see better recruiting on this position and develoopment as well.

DB/S…let’s hope this year is the beginning of a HUGE/MAJOR turn in the right direction. Can’t cover the Jeremiah Smith’s with what we had last year.

We all yearn for the glory days but that 2000-2002 teams were LOADED! We were strong in all positions…I think Mario of course knows this and it working his way that way.

My biggest concern for Mario is the game day coaching decisions that he makes. Needs to be better there and we need to keep getting better at developing our players. Kids will stay where they are being groomed for the next level!

2 years ago the DT class was very good…But some of that was assuming Blount ends up inside which may or may not happen. They need to hit this year though for sure.

Also early reports on Simpson are good, which would be a real nice hit on an eval.

Yeah, I hear ya on the 2 years ago but I keep harping on the development side of things. Let’s hope the Lewis hire begins to change that

Some defensive updates here heading into 5/30 visit weekend.

Little bit of everything in this 6/4 update. New names, clean up, and status updates.

Added the new round of safety offers into the hulls…All are from greater Atlanta area, where we already have two commits, but also missed out on a couple of kids that Etheridge really wanted.

Will add a couple of new DT offers in at some point as well. I don’t believe a big enough need was cast at either of these positions this cycle, as the staff was really fooled into believing they were landing some of these SEC area DT/DE in particular

NEW DL Names added after what seems like many misses.

Cleaned up after some formatting issues. Couple new names and tidbits

Mainly DL Updates…Some new names floating around and old names re-surfacing

Some updates and additions everywhere including a couple new corners, one a decommit from KU, and another who LSU seems to be hanging on by a thread for.

Got rid of a couple names…

New LB originally from out west who played his senior year in Dade now being mentioned, added above.