2026 Film Review: Potential Breakout Linebackers
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingDuring 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:
- t
- 6-Foot
- 200 Pounds
- Linebacker
- Class of 2026
Magnolia linebacker Chevis Johnson Chevis Johnson 5’11” | 185 lbs | LB Magnolia | 2026 State AR 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.
Note – 4.61 40
Highlights
Clark Wingfield
Clark Wingfield
- t
- 5-Foot-8
- 185 Pounds
- Linebacker
- Class of 2026
Arkadelphia linebacker Clark 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.
Note – 3.0 GPA
- t
- 5-Foot-10
- 190 Pounds
- Linebacker
- Class of 2026
Searcy linebacker Lawson Wimberley 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.
Note – 4.0 GPA
- t
- 6-Foot
- 205 Pounds
- Linebacker
- Class of 2026
Clinton linebacker Briar Gadberry Briar Gadberry 5’10” | 180 lbs | LB Clinton | 2026 State AR 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.
Note – 3.6 GPA
- t
- 6-Foot
- 180 Pounds
- Linebacker
- Class of 2026
Benton linebacker Antonio Shelton II Antonio Shelton II 6’0″ | 185 lbs | RB Benton Panthers | 2026 State AR 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.
Note – 3.4 GPA