2026 Linebacker Follow Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has some guys that you need to keep up with. I was able to cover some of these guys this season. They looked really good. I think they can expect to see their stock rise soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691279' first='Jeremiah' last='Harkins']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harkins is a dog that has been making a lot of noise for New Hope. He has also been receiving a lot of attention in the recruiting department. He is a player that is known for being physical. There are a few things coaches want to see. They want to see how he is in coverage. Harkins also needs to show that he can compete against some of the best in the nation. I think that he is going to be a division one player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953393' first='BJ' last='Payton']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payton is a player from Noxubee County that we have been keeping up with since his freshman season. Payton is a player that likes to come up and make hits. Payton has some very long arms that get really active on the edge. He is one of those players that gets a lot of sacks for his team. Payton needs to show college coaches that he has the hips to play the outside linebacker position. Some schools are interested in him at the edge position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136446' first='Xavier' last='Thomas']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a linebacker from Northside in the Delta that we like a lot. Thomas has some great skills in his game. He is a dangerous hitter that loves to come up to make tackles. Thomas played in the Super Sophomore game this past January. He was able to show that he is a guy who can make plays with some of the best players in the state. Thomas is going to be a stud on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1217036' first='Caleb' last='Hearn']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hearn is a guy that we would love to see take off. College coaches need to learn who he is fast. This young man is known for making big hits on the field. He is also known for being a leader. He will not be a guy that plays stiff. This young man knows how to flex and bend his body. This is a </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->