The start of the 2026 high school football season is about two months away, and we all know what that means: my annual player position rankings.
Over the next nine weeks, I will list the top five area players at each major position group. My process includes watching film, talking to coaches, studying stats, and going on what I’ve seen in the past. I’m sure there will be some disagreement with these rankings from time to time, but the general goal is to give y’all an idea of which players to keep an eye on this fall.
And let’s not forget my usual caveat: Do not confuse these rankings with prospect ratings. Raw ability, future potential and college offers are certainly considered, but past performance is the biggest component of these rankings.
We start things off with the area’s top five defensive linemen.
5. Tylan Paty, Starkville
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior is a nose guard who does more than merely clog up the middle. He certainly does that well, but Paty can slide down the line of scrimmage to stop the run, for several reasons: he’s strong as an ox, can gain leverage, and can shed blocks quickly.
When Starkville goes to a four-man front, Paty can “shade” to help control gaps and create mismatches.
Last season, he recorded 83 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and four sacks.
Paty currently has offers from Jackson State, Jacksonville State and a couple of junior colleges.
4. Donovan Bell, Tupelo
The 6-2, 290-pound junior is coming off a breakout season, in which he notched 48 tackles, eight TFL and 2.5 sacks. He plays inside but is athletic enough to move like a defensive end. Bell can be explosive, and it helps that he has long arms.
His efforts were a big reason Tupelo held opponents to just 102.4 rushing yards per game and a 30.7% third-down conversion rate last season.
Bell holds offers from Arkansas State, Jacksonville State and Troy.
3. Jayden Foster, New Albany
After seeing a lot of playing time as a sophomore, Foster took a huge jump last season. The 6-3, 230-pound edge had 47 tackles, 18 TFL and seven sacks. Head coach Cody Stubblefield said he expects Foster to be one of the area’s best pass rushers this year, and for good reason.
The senior has great length, a quick first step, and he’s fast in general. That allows him to chase down whoever is holding the ball, and when he gets hold of someone, Foster finishes tackles with authority.
He currently holds a handful of juco offers. If he packs on a little weight, expect some four-year schools to come calling.
2. NaBrandon Patterson, Corinth
This is the kind of D-lineman every coach would love to have. Patterson (5-11, 245) plays beyond his size, with an ability to blow past – or through – offensive linemen and get to the ball carrier quickly. As a fourth-year starter, he runs the defensive front and knows how to lead both on and off the field.
Last season, Patterson recorded 67 tackles, 17 TFL, 8.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. I watched him and the Warriors dismantle a strong North Pontotoc offense last season, a game in which Patterson had four sacks.
Patterson has an offer from Millsaps.
1. Ladanuel Jordan, Starkville
The 6-5, 292-pounder is the No. 18 overall prospect in Mississippi and the No. 7 defensive lineman in the class of 2027, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
Jordan can play multiple positions and does damage wherever he’s lined up. That’s due to his athleticism, and his explosiveness makes him very tough to block one-on-one. Last season he had 37 tackles, eight TFL and a pair of sacks. He was limited to eight games due to an injury.
Jordan is also a special teams ace – last season he blocked four field goals and two punts. That tells you a lot about how disruptive he can be.
Jordan has a boatload of offers, including Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Cal and Kentucky.
NEXT WEEK: Linebackers
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
