The 2026 Polk County season is back with a vengeance.
And that means it’s that time of year to start thinking about some of the best defensive players in the county.
In 2025, Lakeland had a shutdown defensive backfield fully equipped with quick breaks and ball-hawking skills that led to crucial turnovers.
Lake Wales had a defensive backfield that was known for jumping routes and forcing late-game turnovers.
Kathleen comprised of linebackers and defensive linemen who were known for flying around the ball and stopping outside runs.
Frostproof was made up of defensive linemen who controlled the line of scrimmage.
And Tenoroc had a defensive backfield who were known for disrupting the timing of quarterbacks.
Still, it’s now 2026 with some of the same talent sprinkled with new playmakers. Below are the top defensive linemen in Polk County.
Lakeland
Andrew Sapp (senior)
At 6’3, 250 pounds, Sapp has his paws all over Lakeland’s past championship success. He’s a four-year varsity player and three-year starter who is committed to Deion Sanders’ Colorado. He’s a dominant player with a strong work ethic. In the end, he’s a leader who can play all four positions on the defensive line. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury during training camp and will likely be out for the year.
Santana Harvey (senior)
An impact similar to Sapp’s, at 6’4, 235 pounds, he’s a three-year varsity player who is committed to Clemson. This edge and defensive end is excellent against the run and is capable of double-digit sacks once more.
A.J. Davis (senior)
Davis, who is 6’1 and 226 pounds, plays all four positions, leading the defensive line in creating turnovers. This stud has excellent get-off ability and motor.
Lake Wales
Jerzey Lighten (senior)
Lighten, also a very good weightlifter, has the ability to rush the quarterback with the best of them with his towering 6’4 frame.
Auburndale
Michael Gaskins (senior)
Gaskins at 6’4, 240, is a flat-out stud thanks to his ability, which benefits off his prototypical long arms.
Discovery
C.J. Reese (senior)
Reese is a player who can play every position on the defensive line, and he is the only one of Discovery’s few seniors. His leadership should impact the program this season. And there is a very good chance he will play college ball next season.
William Jones (Junior)
Jones is a young man who was having a good spring game before fracturing his wrist. He, too, can play ball at the next level.
Jermaine Wishart (Sophomore)
He is primed to have a big year for Discovery on both sides of the line, utilizing his next-level talent.
Lakeland Christian
Joseph Bustos (Junior)
Bustos as a good leader is returning to anchor this talented bunch thanks to his lunch-pail mentality in his 5’11, 202-pound frame. His motor never stops.
George Jenkins
Jonathan Wilson (Sophomore)
An interior defensive lineman listed at 6’4, 280 pounds, this big guy is athletic, making him a staple of the defensive line. He’s a basketball player with great feet and hands. His growth will be key for the Eagles.
William Reywaldt (Junior)
This 6’4, 210-pound defensive end has good athletic ability that will be anchoring a defensive line that graduated three seniors. He made incredible gains in the weight room and that will be seen immediately.
Kam Jones (Freshman)
Rarely can freshmen come in and contribute to a varsity defensive line. But Jones, who is 5’9, 250 pounds, has a combination of strength and ability that could make a big impact early.
Frostproof
Hunter Brantley (Senior)
Even at 5’11, 260 pounds as a defensive end, Brantley is an absolute beast as an all-state player. He was also offered by the NAIA national champion, Kieser University.
Haizen Cobb (Junior)
Cobb at 6’2, 215 pounds also takes snaps at quarterback. This stud of a defensive end is also a national rodeo champion.
J’den Plain (Junior)
Plain, a 6’1, 210-pound player, also takes snaps at quarterback. In the end of 2025, he really came on strong.
Elisha Andrews (Junior)
Andrews at 6’1,185 pounds exhibits effort at the championship level thanks to starting on the defensive line last year. He helped the Bulldogs win the SSAA Atlantic League state title in 2024. He also starts at tight end.
Ridge Community
Jeremiah Joseph (senior)
Joseph at 6’4, 320 pounds is a Rutgers commit. In 2025 he posted four sacks against Winter Haven and also caught a touchdown.
Andrew Joaceus (Sophomore)
And Joaceus at 6’3, 171 is a big and rangy edge player for the Bolts.
Tenoroc
Jaiden Dunn (Senior)
Dunn plays both center and defensive tackle, utilizing quick feet, good hands, while playing with good and low leverage. He’s a team captain.
Chris Maxwell (Junior)
Positioned as a defensive lineman and long snapper, he’s very quick off the ball, physical at the point of contact and on tackles and applies great quarterback pressure.
Lake Region
Jace Coward (Senior)
This defensive end is a good rush edge player who creates matchups in the passing game with offensive tackles. He’s a dynamic two-way player.
Jarien Wilson (Senior)
This defensive lineman is a versatile player who plays multiple positions, including linebacker. He, too, is a two-way player.
Claren Charles (Senior)
This senior defensive end and two-way player is very athletic and is a huge mismatch in the pass game.
Victory
Josh Powell (Junior)
At 6 feet, 295 pounds, Powell dominates the interior, abusing centers and guards. In fact, Victory’s linebackers make the tackles they do because Powell holds it down up front. He has multiple interests from NAIA and Division II schools, holding offers from Hendrix College (Conway, Arkansas) and Lyons College (Batesville, Arkansas).
All Saints
Josh Koch (Senior)
This 6’6, 215-pound playmaker looks to have an outstanding year, setting the edge for All Saints on the defensive line. He has a great range and quickness for the position. He is also able to knock down passes and pursue quarterbacks in a pass rush. Koch was the leading tackler last season from the defensive end position. He should be playing at the next level next year as a tight end, wide receiver positions, though, and has begun garnering some college interest with an unofficial visit to UCF thanks to performing well at their camp on offense.
Cameron Robinson (Freshman)
Robinson at 5’9, 180 pounds is in his second year as a starter for All Saints even though he is only a freshman. Last year he had an incredible season, and he is looking to increase his production following his inaugural varsity season as an eighth grader in 2025.
Winter Haven
Ja’Derrick Jones (Junior)
Listed at 6’2, 240 pounds, Jones will play both defensive tackle and end.
Demetrius Walls (Sophomore)
This 6-foot defensive linemen will look to have a good year after a promising summer.
Anthony Miller (Junior)
Miller at 6’2, 230 pounds, will look to utilize his speed to get to opposing quarterbacks.
Jahden Joseph (Senior)
Joseph, listed at 6’1, 275, will max out his potential in his final year at Winter Haven.
Bartow
Carmello Harden (junior)
This 6’2, 305-pound stud is top 10 hands down with tons of offers. Look for him to make an impact.
Drew Sapp (senior)
Sapp at 6’3, 250 will continue upward trend in establishing himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the county. He too has many offers.
Santana Harvey (senior)
Harvey at 6’4 223 will continue to make his case as one of the best pass rushers in 2026. Colleges sure love him as well.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 33 Polk County defensive linemen primed for 2026 football season
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
