Click this LINK for the 2026 DCTF RISING Hot 100 and browse all of the numerical rankings and prospect data.

1. Tank King (6'1, 205) - PA Memorial: King collected 141 tackles, 23 TFLs and three sacks, earning him 9-5A DI First-Team All-District honors. The DCTF four-star has official visits locked in with Texas, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Michigan and Oklahoma State. 

2. Daquives Beck (6'1, 205) - Carthage: Beck totaled 102 tackles, 21 TFLs and six sacks, earning him 8-4A DII First-Team All-District honors. The DCTF four-star has official visits scheduled with SMU, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. 

3. Tieson Ejiawoko (6'4, 223) - Georgetown East View: Ejiawoko collected 60 tackles and 10 TFLs in his junior campaign. The DCTF three-star is committed to Texas Tech. 

4. Kosi Okpala (6'2, 215) - Katy Mayde Creek: Okpala is credited with five sacks and earned 19-6A First-Team All-District honors. The DCTF four-star has official visits scheduled to Texas, Baylor and Penn State. 

5. Jamarion Phillips (6'0, 220) - South Oak Cliff: Phillips earned 5-5A DII Defensive MVP honors. The DCTF three-star is committed to Baylor. 

6. Calvin Thomas (6'3, 235) - Cypress Ranch: Thomas totaled 69 tackles, nine TFLs, seven sacks and one interception to earn 16-6A First-Team All-District honors. The DCTF three-star is considering offers from Texas A&M, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, Michigan and more. 

7. Carson Crawford (6'2, 205) - Carthage: Crawford is credited with 91 tackles, 22 TFLs, nine sacks and four forced fumbles to earn 8-4A DII First-Team All-District Honors. The DCTF three-star is committed to Texas State.

8. Kaedyn Cobbs (6'0, 195) - Denton Guyer: Cobbs totaled 65 tackles and eight TFLs to earn 5-6A First-Team All-District Honors. The DCTF three-star is committed to Illinois. 

9. Noriel Dominguez (6'2, 225) - Richmond Randle: He was ineligible in 2024 due to transfer rules but should be a huge addition to the defense in 2025.  

10. Izayah Young (6'0, 205) - San Marcos: The Rattlers played a JV schedule in 2024, but Young should be one of the top defenders in 29-6A this season. He has official visits scheduled with Baylor and SMU.