The Rivals250 for the 2026 class has been updated and now it’s time to break down each position. We move to the defensive linemen by looking at four big storylines moving forward.
NEW POSITION RANKINGS: Cornerback | Safety | Athlete | Inside Linebacker | Outside Linebacker | Strongside Defensive End | Weakside Defensive End | Defensive Tackle | Offensive Tackle | Offensive Guard | Offensive Center | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Running Back | All-Purpose Back | Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney goes position-by-position | Biggest risers
Wednesday: New offensive position rankings released | QB rankings breakdown | RB rankings breakdown | WR/TE rankings breakdown | OL rankings breakdown
Thursday: New defensive position rankings released | DL rankings breakdown | LB rankings breakdown | DB rankings breakdown | ATH rankings breakdown
Friday: New state rankings released | Who is No. 1 in each state?
Saturday: Roundtable on the new Rivals250 rankings
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ANTHONY JONES JOINS THE FIVE-STAR RANKS
For as deep a year as it is on the defensive line, there are still just two five-stars in the 2026 Rivals250. Anthony Jones was just elevated to that elite status but he isn’t a slam dunk to finish as a five-star. The Alabama native’s position value and production had a big hand in his move up the rankings.
The pass rushing defensive end has racked up well over 100 tackles in his career along with double digit sacks in each of his first two seasons of high school football. Jones isn’t going to overwhelm offensive linemen with his size but he is plenty big enough at 6-foot-3, 240-pounds. He’s also had a lot of success in the shot put and discus during the offseason.
We’re expecting Jones to continue to produce at a high level while leaning on his diverse athletic traits and technical abilities to dominate on the field this fall.
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DEPTH RETURNING TO THE DEFENSIVE FRONT
The 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes did not have the quality depth of talent on the defensive line that the 2026 class does. The 2024 class finished with just 18 defensive linemen in the top 100 of the Rivals250 and the 2025 is even lighter on high-end defensive linemen with just 13 top 100 defensive linemen in the latest 2025 Rivals250.
The 2026 class features 19 defensive linemen in the top 100, giving teams around the country a better shot at landing a game-wrecking defensive lineman.
On top of the impressive high-end depth of this class, the 2026 cycle also features a defensive lineman in Jahkeem Stewart at No. 1 overall. If Stewart finishes the rankings cycle atop the Rivals250, he’d be the first defensive lineman to do so since Bryan Bresee in the 2020 class.
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ON THE BRINK OF FIVE-STAR TERRITORY
The two highest-ranked four-stars regardless of their position are both defensive linemen and both are from Georgia.
Defensive end Jordan Carter is on the verge of adding his fifth star. The explosive and dominant defensive end is very effective as a pass rusher and run stopper. On top of that, Carter has a physical profile that makes him versatile enough to play multiple positions on the defensive front.
Deuce Geralds isn’t going to blow scouts away when he walks in the room but the 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle is a force to be reckoned with. The defensive line MVP from the Rivals Five-Star this summer also sports a 6-foot-7 wingspan, a sub-five-second 40-yard dash, 10-inch hands and 34-inch arms. Those measurables are elite for a defensive tackle who isn’t of the mammoth variety. The traits Geralds brings to the field are magnified by his impressive quickness, advanced hand techniques and outstanding playing strength. A five-star rating for Geralds is certainly not out of the question.
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MORE FIVE-STAR POTENTIAL
After Carter and Geralds there are still a number of defensive line prospects with five-star potential. James Carringtion and Bryce Perry-Wright sit right behind Geralds in the defensive tackle rankings and at strongside defensive end look out for Camron Brooks and Aiden Harris.
There are a handful of weakside defensive ends who could make a big splash in the next rankings update. Keep an eye on Xavier Griffin, Zion Elee, Jamarion Carlton, Rodney Dunham and Zavion Griffin-Haynes. Each could rise up the rankings if they show development in one or two areas this fall.
