It’s late September, and with Week 6 of the TSSAA football season on the horizon, we’ve reached the halfway point of the 2026 season. Here are some of the Memphis area’s top defensive performers at the midway point of the 2026 season.
Players are listed alphabetically. Statistics were submitted to The Commercial Appeal by Memphis area coaches and stats available from MaxPreps.
Kingston Hatch, Bartlett, Jr.: The 5-foot-9 safety has logged 15 solo tackles in 2026 so far, along with an interception.
Octavius Flynn Jr., Briarcrest, Jr.: The 210-pound linebacker has 25 tackles, five TFLs and a sack earn him a place on the defensive list as well.
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Joshua Lane, Central, Sr.: The three-star defensive
lineman has become a hot commodity in recent weeks. Lane announced his decommitment from Memphis on Sept. 20 after receiving numerous Power Four offers, including from Tennessee and Alabama.
Carter Pugh, Christian Brothers, Sr.: A hard-nosed backer, Pugh leads CBHS with 47 total tackles and two sacks. He’s also matched his 2025 total of three TFLs in half the games.
Tae Walden Jr., Collierville, Sr.: The two-way Oregon commit loves to dominate both sides of the ball. The cornerback is also the primary wide receiver target on offense, but his defensive stands have impressed due to his speed and anticipation. He has 12 tackles, three pass breaks and two fumble recoveries.
Payden Ballard, Germantown, Sr.: Ballard came in at No. 4 on The Commercial Appeal’s preseason top linebackers list and has lived up to that billing with 21 solo tackles and five TFLs, including 1.5 sacks.
Caplan Crews, Houston, Jr.: Crews operates off the edge and as a linebacker for the Mustangs. He’s logged 23 total tackles, 10 TFLs and three sacks through five games in 2026.
Rashad Bobo, Lake Cormorant, Sr.: His size at 225 pounds and explosive movement make him a difficult linebacker for backfield operators to face.
Eric Vaulx Jr., Lake Cormorant, Sr.: Bobo’s teammate in the trenches, Vaulx is a three-star Florida State commit who possesses size and skill at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds. He was also a 2026 Dandy Dozen selection.
Cayden Williams, Lausanne, So.: The 6-foot-4 underclassman is going to be a problem in the Memphis area for a while. Through three games, the defensive end has logged 10 tackles and four TFLs, including a monster sack against Germantown in Lausanne’s first win of 2026.
Chase Jefferson, MASE, Jr.: A three-star defensive lineman, Jefferson has size and mobility off the edge.
Jamarkus Pittman, MASE, Sr.: The Dandy Dozen selection and four-star Ole Miss commit teams with Jefferson to give opposing offenses problems. MASE has allowed more than 21 points just once through five weeks.
Qua Bell, Munford, Sr.: Bell was a defensive back to watch after a breakout junior year. He’s strong in coverage and has speed and tackling ability in open space.
Braxton Grant, Munford, Sr.: Grant was another senior to watch ahead of the 2026 season. The linebacker brings speed and aggression to meet ball carriers in the trenches, and Munford’s defense has benefited from its duo, allowing just 11 points per game through Week 5.
Tommy Callicut, Olive Branch, Sr.: The defensive lineman committed to Western Kentucky has used his 6-foot-4 frame to power through offensive linemen. With 9.5 TFLs, four sacks and seven QB hurries.
Roosevelt Bates IV, Southwind, Sr.: The defensive end logged almost 40 solo tackles during his junior season. He has 10 in 2026 and continues to hunt quarterbacks in the backfield with four sacks.
Zeke Joy, St. George’s, Jr.: Joy, a 160-pound cornerback, has five pass breakups and two interceptions after five games.
Wade Jones, St. George’s, Sr.: The 6-foot-4 defensive end has already logged 51 total tackles and four sacks in 2026.
Malik Dean Jr., Whitehaven, Sr.: The Memphis commitis a lockdown boundary corner with length and size to shut down skilled wide receivers.
Malek Mason, Whitehaven, Jr.: Another lockdown defensive back, three-star Malek Mason has numerous programs eyeing his signature. He holds offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Indiana, Memphis and others.
Shelvy Clark, Whitehaven, Sr.: Clarkcommitted to Maryland in June. The linebacker uses his impressive strength and competitiveness to hit gaps hard, stifling opposing ball carriers.
Antwan Jackson, White Station, Sr.: Jackson is leading a White Station program through its transitional phase. At 6-foot-5, Jackson is rapid off the edge and has attacked the backfield with authority in 2026.
Reach The Commercial Appeal's high school writer, Ryan Myers at ryan.myers@commercialappeal.com and on the X platform @RyanMyers_23.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Who are top TSSAA football players on defense in Memphis area at midseason?
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