A Look at The Top Linebackers in The 2026 Class
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In my last article, I talked about how I enjoy finding young guys who are making an impact on their respective teams. I thought it would be fun to take a closer look at some of the top linebackers in…
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Continue ReadingIn my last article, I talked about how I enjoy finding young guys who are making an impact on their respective teams. I thought it would be fun to take a closer look at some of the top linebackers in the 2026 class. These guys made a big impact as just freshman last year and this year will look to do the same.
#14 Nathan Gersh Nathan Gersh 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Dexter | 2026 State MI | Dexter | Hudl
I like Nathan Gersh Nathan Gersh 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Dexter | 2026 State MI ‘s game a lot and I got the privallage of watching him in person this past season. He shows good insticts and can time up the opposing offenses snaps. He is not afraid to get physical and take on blockers. Gersh does have the quickness to shoot gaps and make tackles for loss. There were several times in his highlights where he made crucial tackles on 4th down to get the opposing offense off the field. Gersh played a big role in the success of the Dexter team this year and despite Dexter loosing many seniors Nathan Gersh Nathan Gersh 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Dexter | 2026 State MI will return and will look to light up the stat sheet once again in 2023.
#2 Javari Funches Javari Funches 5'11" | 210 lbs | ATH Lansing Everett | 2026 State MI | Lansing Everett | Hudl
Funches is a good form tackler and he does job of going low. Like Gersh, Funches does have the quickness to shoot gaps and create tackles for loss. Funches is very impressive against the run he does a great job of keeping his eyes glued to the backfiled so he can quickly read which ball carrier has the football and then fly up without hesistaion to make a play. Funches has good accelertion and can get to quarterbacks in a hurry. Funches is a very good football player who also plays running back for Lansing Everett.
#45 Charlie Jilek Charlie Jilek 6'4" | 230 lbs | LB Portage Central | 2026 State MI | Portage Central | Hudl
Jilek holds nothing back when he makes tackles and will deliver big hits. Jilek has good speed and can chase down ball carriers. Like the Funches and Gersh, Charlie Jilek Charlie Jilek 6'4" | 230 lbs | LB Portage Central | 2026 State MI does a good job of recognizing where the run plays are going. Jilek does have the abilty to rush the quarterback. In the game against Mattawan this past year his was sent on a delayed blitz and did a nice job of getting to the quarterback. I look forward to seeing how Jilek does this year and expect him to be all over the field making tackles.
#48 Jack Lansing III Jack Lansing III 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Hartland | 2026 State MI | Hartland | Hudl
Lansing has good hands and can intercept passes. Lansing had a very impressive interception for a touchdown in his highlights where he took it back over 70 yards to the end zone. Lansing tracks down ball carriers very well and is a very good tackler. Lansing is very good in coverage to and has a good feel for where the quarterback is going to throw the ball. Lansing plays on special teams as well and is very good on the punt team. Lansing is very agile and does a good job of working around blockers.
These guys were all very impressive players and I enjoyed waching their highlights. Linebacker is a fun postion to watch and a good linebacker critical to a teams success.