2026 Film Review: Potential Breakout Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the off-season, we've been doing an extensive film review over 100s of prospects in the Natural State. This article will go over potential breakout linebacker prospects in the class of 2026. Here are five defensive "quarterbacks" that I believe will showcase their skillset in 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["707676"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e200 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernMagnolia linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='707676' first='Chevis' last='Johnson'] showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor with physicality. Johnson displays a quick first read step, then instantly attacking downhill to make a play on the ball. Good blitzing backer who can shed or squeeze through gaps and disrupting plays in the backfield. Good footwork and technique with impressive ability to secure a tackle in open space. Good feel in zone coverage, keeping everything underneath. Johnson is under the radar.rnrnNote - 4.61 40","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623c9f5c9d5a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChevJ12/status/1769156006565568641","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChevJ12/status/1769156006565568641 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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='1632819' first='Clark' last='Wingfield'] ","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Arkadelphia","_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-8u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e185 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernArkadelphia linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1632819' first='Clark' last='Wingfield'] showcases good athleticism and awareness. Wingfield displays the ability to diagnose crossing routes coming across his face, forcing them off rhythm or clamping down and not allowing a completion. Solid change of direction with a good sideline-to-sideline motor. Wingfield is someone to watch in 2024.rnrnNote - 3.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623c9f5c9e30"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Clark_Wingfield/status/1741224120761676218","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Clark_Wingfield/status/1741224120761676218 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["495199"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-10u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e190 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernSearcy linebacker u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eLawson Wimberleyu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e showcases great reaction speed and quickness with good awareness in the second level. Wimberley displays a good first initial step with impressive read and react ability. Instantly attacks an opening, disrupting plays in the backfield. He's a sideline-to-sideline athlete, displaying a high motor and effort. Solid open field tackler with a good feel in coverage to diagnose routes. Wimberley is someone to keep an eye on in 2024.rnrnNote – 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623c9f5c9e9b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LawsonWimberley/status/1739100909408260435","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LawsonWimberley/status/1739100909408260435 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["436453"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e205 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernClinton linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='436453' first='Briar' last='Gadberry'] is another with an impressive sideline-to-sideline motor, showcasing his effort and work ethic. Gadberry displays a quick first step with his eyes in the backfield, instantly reading and reacting and then attacking downhill. Good open field tackler, showcasing good technique and consistency. A physical linebacker that can cover in zone or man with good IQ.rnrnNote - 3.6 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623c9f5c9efb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/briargadberry20/status/1698434791513670057","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/briargadberry20/status/1698434791513670057 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["809619"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e180 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernBenton linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='809619' first='Antonio' last='Shelton II'] showcases physicality, athleticism and consistency in the second level. Shelton displays a good read and react ability, attacking downhill with good angles and footwork. Good open field tackling with physicality and good technique. Reads the backfield really well, keeping everything underneath and flies to the football. Good change of direction to transition off routes with ease. Shelton is someone to watch during the 2023 season.rnrnNote - 3.4 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623c9f5c9f59"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ASheltonII/status/1779713684702466052","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ASheltonII/status/1779713684702466052 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->