2026 Linebackers Rising in the Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look ahead to another season of elite high school football, turning the spotlight to the players destined to rise in the Iowa linebacker rankings. These five players showed power, speed, and great tackling technique. Each of these sophomore <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=LB">linebackers</a> will have eyes on them at all times, with the verge of a breakout season close to a guarantee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the Iowa linebacker rankings and the five players who will make a jump after <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/football/2023-24/leaderlist?competitor=athlete&amp;range=season&amp;block=total&amp;grade=SO&amp;idMetric=h201811201026419d60b57836a44675a">next season</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas']","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bishop Heelan Catholic","_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":"The stats Thomas put up on defense last year tell the story of what he brings to a team. His 7.5 sacks were second in the state for sophomores, proving that he is a dominant pass rusher off the edge. Thomas has a remarkable first step, quickly getting into his pass rush and putting offensive tackles in conflict. He doesn't blindly fire into the backfield; he rushes with a plan, setting up each of his moves off his previous move. Thomas is tremendously athletically gifted and has a ton of speed to his game. He'll set the edge, shed the block, and get into pursuit, hunting down ball carriers from sideline to sideline. 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The first thing that stands out on film is his outstanding tackling ability, filled with power and flexibility. Claus will square up running backs in the hole and drive them backward, disrupting plays early and not allowing big gains. His flexibility is a testament to his tackle radius. When a ball carrier gets outside his frame, he'll close space and make a diving tackle, preventing offenses from gaining big plays. Claus is a tremendous coverage backer, showing impressive instincts and quick reactionary skills. He does a great job of getting to his landmark in zone coverage, understanding the route combinations he's facing, and making a break on the ball while also showing his tremendous ball skills. From run defending to pass coverage, Claus is a well-rounded backer who excels in multiple facets of a game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b2c5b180731"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773219"],"_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":"Breyfogle is an imposing defender, standing at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds; he possesses the size and speed combination needed for the linebacker position. He's extremely explosive when firing downhill, quickly meeting the running back in the hole. Breyfogle is also an explosive and technical tackler, lowering his shoulder and wrapping up ball carriers. He has a great get-off when he's blitzing off the edge, immediately putting offensive linemen in conflict with his impressive pass rush. Breyfogle is strong in coverage, understanding where his landmark is and holding his zone while reading the quarterback's eyes and reacting to the play. Once he sees it, Breyfogle fires on the receiver, breaking up passes by playing the hands of the pass catcher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b2c5b18078f"} /--> <!-- 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":"Nate Warner","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pella","_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":"Warner is a menace at the second level. Turn on the film, and he's constantly in the backfield, causing problems for offensive linemen and quickly breaking down plays. Warner does a great job staying square with the line and waiting for the running lane to open, firing through with tremendous burst and explosiveness. Once he gets his hands on ball carriers, Warner wraps and forcefully brings players to the ground. He has a lot of strength throughout his frame, and when he hits you, you feel that hit throughout the entire game. He's constantly around the ball and has a phenomenal pass-rush plan, showing he can counter when his first move gets stuffed. 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He has great size for a young linebacker, with a 5-foot-10, 215-pound frame. What stands out immediately in Friend's film is his ability to evade blockers at the second level. He uses his strength and agility to sidestep interior offensive linemen, shedding blocks and flying downhill to the ball carrier. Friend has a lot of put behind his pads, proving to be a strong, resilient tackler. His vision and anticipation are a huge plus to his game, as he can read the quarterback, explode from what he sees, and break up the play. While he's an excellent run-stopper, he's very solid when blitzing from the interior. Friend has great timing with his blitzes, getting through the open gap and making a play in the backfield. 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