It’s officially kickoff week for the 2026 IHSAA football season.
On Friday, Aug. 21, teams from around the Lafayette area will take the field for the first time to begin their quest for championship gold.
To finish off our lists ranking some of the top returners to look out for, we’ll be taking a look at the defensive unit. Between the d-line, linebackers and defensive backs, there’s plenty of talent to choose from. Here are 30 of the bunch that will be key players this season.
Ka’vion Campbell-Walker, Lafayette Jefferson, S, Senior
The Ball State commit became one of the top defenders in all of Indiana last season. Finished his junior year with 137 tackles, five interceptions, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked field goal for the Class 5A sectional winner.
Kooper Charles, Southmont, LB, Junior
Charles’ presence was felt all over the field for the Class 2A sectional winners, making 128 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five sacks and one fumble recovery in his sophomore season.
Chewie Walters, Twin Lakes, LB, Senior
Walters hardly let anyone past him in 2025. He made 160 tackles, five tackles for loss and 13 hurries.
Cal Elias, West Lafayette, DL, Senior
Dominated on the line for the Red Devils as a junior, recording 45 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and 11 quarterback hurries.
Eli Thompson, Central Catholic, LB, Junior
As a sophomore, Thompson led the Knights with 89 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two pass deflections, one sack and one forced fumble.
Fulton Goeppner, Covington, LB, Junior
Led the Covington defense with 102 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, six quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.
Chris Hardy, Lafayette Jefferson, DL, Senior
A top pass rusher for the Bronchos last season. Recorded 37 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and 11 quarterback pressures.
Bronson Clark, Southmont, LB, Senior
Made 131 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries for the Mounties.
Mak Leonard, McCutcheon, LB, Senior
Tallied 68 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Mavericks.
Ledger Shaffer, Twin Lakes, CB, Senior
Intercepted seven passes and made 91 tackles, including two for loss, in his junior campaign.
Gunner Payne, Attica, DB, Junior
Payne finished his sophomore year with 66 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass deflections and one forced fumble for the Red Ramblers.
Gage Taylor, North Montgomery, DL, Senior
Made 30 tackles, including one for loss, on the d-line for the Chargin’ Chargers last season.
Landen Musch, Rensselaer Central, DB, Senior
Musch tallied 67 tackles, five interceptions and six pass deflections for the Bombers.
Diego Castillo, Southmont, DL, Senior
Castillo recorded 37 tackles, seven for loss, forced three fumbles and recovered two, including one that resulted in a touchdown.
Landon Gerold, Crawfordsville, OLB, Senior
Tallied 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception in eight games. A quality tight end in his own right on the offensive end.
Landon Hughes, West Central, DL, Senior
Notched 38 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, six sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt for the Trojans.
Luke Woodman, Faith Chirstian, LB, Senior
Made 46 tackles, including eight for loss, and picked up one sack for the Eagles in 2025.
Ethan McIlrath, Delphi, DL, Senior
Coming off a season recording 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Cash Kosinski, North Newton, DE, Junior
Tallied 53 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks for the Spartans in 2025.
Colby Parrish-Poore Golia, Fountain Central, DT, Junior
Recorded 39 tackles, 11 being for loss, and added six sacks and five quarterback hurries as a sophomore for the Mustangs.
Aiden Handy, Seeger, MLB, Senior
Finished the year with 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections.
Alex King, Clinton Prairie, OLB, Senior
Made 57 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and fumble recovery for the Gophers.
Beau Dazey, Frontier, DB, Senior
The Falcons lost a of its defense to graduation, but Dazey should be a strong returning piece. Picked up 23 tackles, four interceptions and one pass deflection.
Joey Metzger, Central Catholic, DB, Senior
Struggled with injuries throughout last season, but still put up 19 tackles, one interception and two pass deflections in seven appearances.
Kalvin Porits, Lafayette Jefferson, DB, Sophomore
Already a contributor in his freshman year, Portis made 50 tackles, one interception, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
Kiel Martin, North Newton, CB, Junior
Equally a threat on offense, Martin picked off five passes for 34 yards. Added 34 tackles and seven pass deflections.
Holden Day, Rensselaer Central, DT, Senior
Picked up 44 tackles, including five for loss, and picked up 2.5 sacks for the Bombers last season.
Tanner Pitstick, Benton Central, MLB, Senior
Finished 2025 with 52 tackles, three tackles for loss and a 12-yard interception for the Bison.
Cole Robertson, Harrison, SS/OLB, Senior
The Raiders lost a lot of defensive talent from last year but will get back Robertson, who recorded 53 tackles in 2025.
Seth Himes, Attica, LB, Sophomore
As a freshman for the Red Ramblers, Himes made 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and quarterback hurry.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Top 30 defenders returning to Lafayette area football in 2026
Reporting by Chase Gemes, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chase Gemes, Lafayette Journal & Courier | USA TODAY Network
