Just a quick overview and breakdown of several top uncommitted Class of 2026 Defendive Linemen in the State of Illinois. Again this evaluation is always ongoing and if you feel I'm missing someone make sure to email me edgytim@edgytim.com with any questions/corrections to spellings etc.
Top Committed Class of 2026 Defensive Linemen
DE Braeden Jones Mount Carmel 6-foot-5, 235 pounds 2026 (USC)
DL Carmelow Reed Hillcrest 6-foot-7, 235 pounds 2026 (Wisconsin)
DL Jacob Alexander LW East 6-foot-4. 225 pounds 2026 (Illinois)
DL Joey Quinn Mount Carmel 6-foot-6, 240 pounds 2026 (Vanderbilt)
DL Max Carmicle Hillcrest 6-foot-6, 215 pounds 2026 (NIU)
DL Daniel Howard Lane Tech 6-foot-3, 285 pounds (Iowa State)
Top 5 Uncommitted Class of 2026 Defensive Linemen
1. DL King Liggins Chicago Brother Rice 6-foot-4, 280 pounds 2026 Easily oine of the top overall recruits regardless of position remaining in the 2026 class. Liggins is in many ways already physically ready for the college level. Liggins possesses impressive strength and power, has advanced pass rush skills and has a real nose for the football especially in sdefending against the running game. Is holding multiple Power 4 offers this spring.
2. DL McHale Blade Simeon 6-foot-5, 240 pounds 2026- Yet another quoick, twitchy athlete and edge rusher who has a tremendous amount of upside at the Power 4 level. Blade, who began high high school career at Hillcrest has gotten bigger, stronger and much more quicker since arriving a year ago at Simeon.. Is holding multiple Power 4 order this spring.
3. DL Gabriel Hill Naperville North 6-foot-3, 295 pounds 2026 Another speedy, athletic and strong interior defensive linemen here. Hill also has logged a toon of live varsity reps for the Huskies and his combination of power, quickness, feet and hand usage is highly advanced at the high school level. Hill has gotten stronger and just much better each season at the high school level.
4. DL Aiden Solecki Downers Grove North 6-foot-4, 260 pounds 2026 Loved his overall gamer and his versatility on the defensive line in 2024 for the Trojans. Solecki has the physical tools to stay inside or move outside at the high Power 4 level in my opinion. Solecki was able to show off an array of pash rush moved while also being a dominant run stopper. Has the frame and look
5. DL Gage LaDere LW East 6-foot-2, 260 pounds 2026- Part of a very strong LWE defensive linemen group in 2024. LaDere played mainly inside for the Griffins and his ability to sniff out plays really stands out here. LaDere also is a strong run stuffer along with having the overall tools and ability to play inside ou outside at any time. LaDere has drawn offers and interest from several Group of 5 and high level FCS schools this spring.
5 More Class of 2026 Uncommitted Names to Watch (in no order)
DL Jaden Weaver Sandburg 6-foot-3, 240 pounds 2026- Longtime starter and impact defender for the Eagles here.
DL Jonathan Rulo Althoff 6-foot-3, 285 pounds 2026- Has impressive strength inside and also brings wrestling agility to the table.
DE Ian Campbell Joliet Catholic 6-foot-3, 240 pounds 2026- A tweener positionally but also a highly effective player you need.
DT Gavin Neil Marian Catholic 6-foot-3, 275 pounds 2026 - Good sized interior defendive linemen here who will get bigger/stronger.
DL Moussa Mbengue Moline 6-foot-3, 250 pounds 2026- Athletic kid with eyeball passing physical tools who continues to develop into a major force for the Maroons.
Others To Watch (in no order)
DL Brady Hill Wheaton St Francis 6-foot-2, 245 pounds 2026
DL/LB Logan Abrams Cary Grove 6-foot-3, 220 pounds 2026
DL Cornell McIntosh East St Louis 6-foot-2, 225 pounds 2026
DL Cooper Paukstis St Francis 6-foot-2, 252 pounds 2026
DL Jake Buckley Kaneland 6-foot-4, 255 pounds 2026
DE Lamari Hall Oswego East 6-foot-3, 220 pounds 2026
DL Jaylen Torres St Francis 6-foot-1, 285 pounds 2026
DL Travis Dudycha Huntley 6-foot-4, 235 pounds 2026
DL Anthony Adams Stevenson 5-foot-11, 240 pounds 2026
DL Noah Telitz Waubonsie Valley 5-foot-11, 260 pounds 2026
DL Alex MacDiarmid Benet Academy 6-foot-2, 240 pounds 2026
Top Committed Class of 2026 Defensive Linemen
DE Braeden Jones Mount Carmel 6-foot-5, 235 pounds 2026 (USC)
DL Carmelow Reed Hillcrest 6-foot-7, 235 pounds 2026 (Wisconsin)
DL Jacob Alexander LW East 6-foot-4. 225 pounds 2026 (Illinois)
DL Joey Quinn Mount Carmel 6-foot-6, 240 pounds 2026 (Vanderbilt)
DL Max Carmicle Hillcrest 6-foot-6, 215 pounds 2026 (NIU)
DL Daniel Howard Lane Tech 6-foot-3, 285 pounds (Iowa State)
Top 5 Uncommitted Class of 2026 Defensive Linemen
1. DL King Liggins Chicago Brother Rice 6-foot-4, 280 pounds 2026 Easily oine of the top overall recruits regardless of position remaining in the 2026 class. Liggins is in many ways already physically ready for the college level. Liggins possesses impressive strength and power, has advanced pass rush skills and has a real nose for the football especially in sdefending against the running game. Is holding multiple Power 4 offers this spring.
2. DL McHale Blade Simeon 6-foot-5, 240 pounds 2026- Yet another quoick, twitchy athlete and edge rusher who has a tremendous amount of upside at the Power 4 level. Blade, who began high high school career at Hillcrest has gotten bigger, stronger and much more quicker since arriving a year ago at Simeon.. Is holding multiple Power 4 order this spring.
3. DL Gabriel Hill Naperville North 6-foot-3, 295 pounds 2026 Another speedy, athletic and strong interior defensive linemen here. Hill also has logged a toon of live varsity reps for the Huskies and his combination of power, quickness, feet and hand usage is highly advanced at the high school level. Hill has gotten stronger and just much better each season at the high school level.
4. DL Aiden Solecki Downers Grove North 6-foot-4, 260 pounds 2026 Loved his overall gamer and his versatility on the defensive line in 2024 for the Trojans. Solecki has the physical tools to stay inside or move outside at the high Power 4 level in my opinion. Solecki was able to show off an array of pash rush moved while also being a dominant run stopper. Has the frame and look
5. DL Gage LaDere LW East 6-foot-2, 260 pounds 2026- Part of a very strong LWE defensive linemen group in 2024. LaDere played mainly inside for the Griffins and his ability to sniff out plays really stands out here. LaDere also is a strong run stuffer along with having the overall tools and ability to play inside ou outside at any time. LaDere has drawn offers and interest from several Group of 5 and high level FCS schools this spring.
5 More Class of 2026 Uncommitted Names to Watch (in no order)
DL Jaden Weaver Sandburg 6-foot-3, 240 pounds 2026- Longtime starter and impact defender for the Eagles here.
DL Jonathan Rulo Althoff 6-foot-3, 285 pounds 2026- Has impressive strength inside and also brings wrestling agility to the table.
DE Ian Campbell Joliet Catholic 6-foot-3, 240 pounds 2026- A tweener positionally but also a highly effective player you need.
DT Gavin Neil Marian Catholic 6-foot-3, 275 pounds 2026 - Good sized interior defendive linemen here who will get bigger/stronger.
DL Moussa Mbengue Moline 6-foot-3, 250 pounds 2026- Athletic kid with eyeball passing physical tools who continues to develop into a major force for the Maroons.
Others To Watch (in no order)
DL Brady Hill Wheaton St Francis 6-foot-2, 245 pounds 2026
DL/LB Logan Abrams Cary Grove 6-foot-3, 220 pounds 2026
DL Cornell McIntosh East St Louis 6-foot-2, 225 pounds 2026
DL Cooper Paukstis St Francis 6-foot-2, 252 pounds 2026
DL Jake Buckley Kaneland 6-foot-4, 255 pounds 2026
DE Lamari Hall Oswego East 6-foot-3, 220 pounds 2026
DL Jaylen Torres St Francis 6-foot-1, 285 pounds 2026
DL Travis Dudycha Huntley 6-foot-4, 235 pounds 2026
DL Anthony Adams Stevenson 5-foot-11, 240 pounds 2026
DL Noah Telitz Waubonsie Valley 5-foot-11, 260 pounds 2026
DL Alex MacDiarmid Benet Academy 6-foot-2, 240 pounds 2026
