Defensive Standouts Light Up the Redwood Empire
The 2026 high school football season is already generating buzz in the North Bay, as several defensive standouts have begun to carve out their reputations before the first snap.
Among the most talked‑about names is Isaac Anderson of American Canyon, who earned first‑team Redwood Empire Conference Valley Division honors as a junior after posting 62 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Kaleb Jacobs from Analy has also emerged as a tackling machine, leading his team with 59 stops and four tackles for loss while continuing to draw attention from college scouts.
James Curoso, a transfer from Clovis now at Cardinal Newman, brings a rare blend of experience and production; as a sophomore he recorded 110 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception, helping him secure a dozen Division I offers.
Rylo Wyre of Casa Grande took the conference by storm, earning Defensive Player of the Year in the REC‑Valley after compiling 124 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
Jerrek Buckley from Rancho Cotate was recognized as the Press Democrat Defensive Player of the Year, adding a third‑team all‑state nod to his résumé after a season that featured 145 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions.
Gabriel Suarez of Windsor contributed heavily on defense with 72 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and a pick, underscoring his role as a playmaker.
Other defensive contributors such as Dante Giacomini, Clayton Petri and Parker Marsh from Ukiah, as well as Levi Kennedy from St. Vincent, have also posted impressive stat lines that keep them on the radar of recruiters.
The ripple effect of these performances extends beyond the field, as early Division I interest is already shaping recruitment conversations and setting the stage for a competitive 2026 campaign.