2026 NV Rankings: LB Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Taking a look at some of the ranked and WL prospects at the LB position in Prep Redzone NV's latest 2026 player rankings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"3427","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6620625354996"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Ranked Players: </em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1216711' first='Mafua' last='Matthews-Mafua']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matthews-Mafua is the top returning tackler from Sierra Vista's 2023 defense after posting 54 total tackles as a sophomore. He's an athletic off-ball LB at 5'10"/180 that could potentially seem some action out of the backfield in the fall as well. Matthews-Mafua should be a breakout candidate among Nevada's 5A LBs heading into next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MafuaMatth9375/status/1689394592314228740","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/MafuaMatth9375/status/1689394592314228740 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110883' first='Edwin' last='Zavala']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zavala proved himself to be one of the more physical 2026 LBs in Nevada's 4A division last season. He's at his best working downhill and filling holes in close-quarters around the LOS. Something to look for in Zavala's junior season is for him to put his ability to play in space and skillset in coverage on tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/33_Certified/status/1717940963430322567","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/33_Certified/status/1717940963430322567 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Watchlist Prospects: </em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='876953' first='Johnathan' last='Alvarado']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alvarado's an up-and-coming two-way player that made some plays at both LB and RB as a sophomore for Carson. He's a lean athlete at 5'10"/160 that should continue to make an impact on both sides of the ball for Carson next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110896' first='Connor' last='Gries']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gries is a multi-sport athlete (football, baseball) that made plays on both sides of the ball for Faith Lutheran's JV squad last season. He offers a promising frame at 6'2"/215 and will look to carve out a role on what should be one of the more talented LB units in Nevada next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->