The Commercial Appeal picked out some of theMemphis area's top high school football players on defensive at the midway point of the 2026 season. Now, it's time for you to vote for Bluff City's top player thus far. The poll closes Saturday Oct 3 at 5 p.m.
Kingston Hatch, Bartlett, Jr.: The 5-foot-9 safety has logged 20 solo tackles in 2026 so far, along with an interception.
Tae Walden Jr., Collierville, Sr.: The two-way Oregon commit dominates 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 16 tackles, six pass breaks and two fumble recoveries.
Caplan Crews, Houston, Jr.: Crews operates off the edge and as a linebacker for
the Mustangs. He’s logged 27 total tackles, 13 TFLs and 4.5 sacks through six 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. The Dandy Dozen selection logged 6.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks in four games.
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, Vaulx has six solo tackles and 6.0 TFLs.
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 six weeks.
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.
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 13.5 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.
Malik Dean Jr., Whitehaven, Sr.: The Memphis commit is a lockdown boundary corner with length and size to shut down skilled wide receivers.
Shelvy Clark, Whitehaven, Sr.:Clark committed 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: Vote: Who is the top Memphis area defensive football player at midseason?
