Middle Linebackers to know in 2026

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aden Silvage","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"East Robertson High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hard-working, run-defending linebacker who was a tackling machine. Breaks down well, fires up the field, and sells out to make the tackle. Patient and very instinctive.rnrnDisplays a tremendous head for the game and diagnoses plays before they unfold. Takes proper angles to the action, uses his hands to protect himself, and plays through the whistle. Stays with assignments, quickly locates the ball handler, and wraps up tackling.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["284144"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Instinctive, quick to read and diagnose, and takes good angles to the action. Displays terrific football intelligence, breaks down well, and uses his hands to protect himself.rnrnRarely off his feet, tough, and doesn't back down from a challenge. Easily changes direction, shows the ability to immediately alter his angle of attack, and wraps up tackling. Fires upfield and is forceful on the blitz.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1671834' first='Gavin' last='Uhlir']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Greenhill High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Tough, run-defending linebacker with limited upside. Instinctive, quickly locates the action, and keeps plays in front of him. Breaks down well, fires upfield to fill gaps in run defense, and sells out on the blitz. Uses his hands to protect himself, slides off blocks, and wraps up ball handlers. Quarterbacks the defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["212420"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Physical, instinctive college strong safety who projects to outside linebacker. Stays with assignments, quickly diagnoses plays, and fires upfield to defend the run. Redirects to the action and drives his shoulders through ball handlers. Strong tackler who brings opponents down at the point of attack. Remains disciplined with assignments and shows excellent awareness.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["212420"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Explosive run-and-chase linebacker. Instinctive, remains disciplined with assignments, and quickly locates the ball handler. Fires up the field making plays, sells out on the blitz, and quickly closes to the action.rnrnFlows well laterally, displays speed in pursuit, and makes the tackle in space. Breaks down well and uses his hands to protect himself. Rarely off his feet. Quick flipping his hips to transition into coverage.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b365e7edb84"} /-->