STOCK RISERS: 2026 Linebackers To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which 2026 linebackers need to be on your radar right now?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read all the details on Prep Redzone...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Heyward - Hephzibah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under the radar linebacker having a big sophomore season, Heyward has brought his "A" game all season so far. A football magnet who consistently finds his way to the ball-carrier, Heyward is great in pursuit and gives every play everything he has. He's a big effort type of kid and it's helped him become one of the leading tacklers in the 2026 class across the state. Through his first eight games of the season, Heyward has made 83 tackles and two TFLs so far. He shed blocks, attacks, and knows how to make a strong, fundamental tackle. He's always in the mix to make a play and is filling up the stat sheet every Friday night. He's made at least eight tackles in every game this year along with at least 12 tackles in three separate games. As reliable a defender as it gets in the area, Heyward shows good instincts, competitiveness, and loves contact. He's having a big season, and he still has two and a half years to continue improving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090799' first='Hudson' last='Hulett'] - North Murray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He may not be the biggest or fastest linebacker in North Georgia, but Hulett is a guy who just does his job and consistently makes plays. A two-way player who can catch passes on offense as well, the Chatsworth native is just a football player. He gives great effort, runs well, and has a knack for finding the football on defense. Just a sophomore, Hulett is finding ways to light up the stat sheet defensively. He's made an outstanding 81 tackles so far this fall through just six games. He's been a tackling machine this year. He gets after it and has a true nose for the football. He's made at least 13 tackles in four of his six games and reached the 20-tackle marl twice so far. He's also made four TFLs on the year. He's hauled in one INT, deflected four passes, and recovered one fumble. He's been as productive as any sophomore linebacker in North Georgia and will only get better with each game moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/decatur/columbia-eagles/athletes/charles-harris/football/stats/?careerid=qf1f1ta6q47bb">Charles Harris</a> - Columbia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sure-tackling defender who can play in space and make a sound hit on the ball-carrier, Harris is an Atlanta-area linebacker who is having an outstanding sophomore season this fall. He may be on the shorter end, but he's built well with a tough, thick, muscular frame. He also plays physical and has no problem stuffing the run lanes between the tackles. He comes down-hill with authority and doesn't miss many tacklers. A true 2026 linebacker on the rise with D1-caliber potential, Harris has made75 tackles through his first nine games of the year. He's also made an impressive six TFLs as well. He can sneak into the backfield and get sideline to sideline as well in order to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He's made at least six tackles in every game this season and has made 10+ tackles twice, along with one forced fumble. He shows good instincts and is starting to emerge as one of the better 2026 linebackers on that side of Atlanta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->