2026 Rankings Update: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings were recently updated. Here are a few names to know and watch for in 2024 at the linebacker position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1034314' first='Jaden' last='Richberg'] <br>Blue Springs South<br>- A true thumper in the middle of the defense who can control it sideline-to-sideline and make offensive players pay with his physical play and finishes on tackles. Richberg has great size already at (6'1" 230) but is athletic and quick with good speed to cover and close, get after quarterbacks, and the strength to fight off and shed blockers. He had a great showing following his freshman year at the Elite Combine. As a sophomore, Jaden had 98 tackles, 1 sack, 12 QB hurries, 1 fumble recovery. Look for another strong spring and summer from him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='604213' first='Mason' last='Marden'] <br>Ladue<br>- Look for a continued rise on the radar of schools from the speedy and physical LB prospect Marden (6'3" 210) who has showed me flashes of what was to come the last two years, and had a breakout sophomore season. Marden is another linebacker who performed really well at the 2023 Elite combine who tested well in the forty, pro agility (showing good change of direction &amp; lateral quickness), and broad jump. He plays equally well against the run and pass, and showed impressive coverage skills in 7v7 with Midwest Boom. As a sophomore he recorded 51 tackles 1 fumble recovery. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1125426' first='Cayden' last='Duncan'] <br>Francis Howell <br>- Duncan (6'0" 210) is an absolute tackling machine, and his stats in 2023 showed that as he recorded 155 total tackles, 2 sacks and a fumble recovery. Cayden is another linebacker with good speed who runs really well and can cover a lot of ground. He could play any linebacker position, has a good football IQ and does a good job reading out plays before they happen to know where to be. He's physical and plays with a high level of intensity, and regularly racks up double digit tackles every game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->