Evaluations On Five Talented 2026 Linebackers

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["824947"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Kirby is a throwback linebacker.  He loves hunting the ball.  He takes good angles to the ball and plays with good pad level and leverage when taking on blockers in the run game.  He does a good job of keeping the ball carrier in front of him and making the tackle.  I'd like to see Kirby continue to get stronger and more explosive.  I love the intangibles with this young man.  After a strong sophomore year, he should start getting some college recruiting attention.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["573453"],"_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":"Thomas is a linebacker who loves to fly around and make plays.  I like him as an outside linebacker at the college level due to his speed and ability to bend.  In spite of playing fast Thomas remains gap sound.  Thomas's speed off the edge is almost impossible to slow.  When the offensive linemen is able to get the necessary depth and cutoff Cam's speed rush, he does a good job of using his hands to win the reps.  In the pass game Thomas will be good in coverage.  Really the only thing missing here is just continued physical weight and strength development.  As the happens, he should turn into a dominant high school defender.  He has a bevy of FBS schools that have already offered.  This offseason should be the season where he explodes onto the P5 recruiting scene.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["812498"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Rhodes is a linebacker who brings back memories of old school mike linebackers.  He constantly plays on a downward plane.  He plays with great instincts.  He does a good job using his athleticism to play through the wash.  Max also has the strength and physicality to blow up blockers and plays.  He plays with really good pad level, you won't find a much better form tackler.  He's a linebacker on those goal line and short yardage situations that's going to be able to stuff plays and stand up runners, keeping them from getting the needed yardage.  I think Rhodes is definitely an FBS talent.  Where it comes from there will just depend on how he continues to develop physically.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1024454"],"_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":"Miller has some really strong film and the numbers to go with it.  10 sacks and 3 interceptions as a sophomore at the D1 level, is extremely impressive.  Miller's size and physicality plays well in the run game.  He's Where he impressed me was his ability to get depth and play in space.  I think Miller will probably grow into a defensive end with, but that versatility and diverse skill set will allow defensive coordinators to do some different things with him.  I think he has a chance to be a top end pass rusher at the college level.  He's going to be able to win with speed and bend or with power.  I think he's definitely a Power 5 player at the college level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["402319"],"_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":"The first thing that pops when you look at Cincere, is his size and physical stature.  He looks like a grown man, and he's only a sophomore.  Johnson lines up primarily lines up inside for the Tarblooders, but at the college level I think he slide to the out to the outside linebacker or edge position.  He has really great length.  He's a fluid running who takes strong angles in pursuit.  He's a striker when he comes up to hit.  I think he'll be a terror on the outside where he can play in space and blow stuff up.  I think he'll have the athleticism and bend to head hunt when it comes to the pass rush.  He'll have the strength to bull rush and set the edge in the run game.  I think Johnson's recruitment is going to skyrocket this offseason.  He has the look of a definite P5 defender.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6541cdbab42a8"} /-->