An Overview Of The Updated 2026 LB Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're looking at the top 2026 LBs today and the entire LB landscape of the 2026 class and what to expect moving forward!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","state":"2436","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140c2e6b726"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">At The Top</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1080776' first='Garrett' last='Ranes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='560097' first='Corey' last='Andrews'] quick breakdown can be found here from last week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/an-updated-glimpse-of-the-top-5-2026-recruits","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-redzone"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-redzone wp-block-embed-prep-redzone"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/an-updated-glimpse-of-the-top-5-2026-recruits </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533142"],"_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":"The Muncie Central LB has really come into his own over the past few seasons and should be a hot target very soon. He's got a nice thick build that can withstand the impact in the trenches. He's got good range and vision which allows him to slice through and make tackles some LBs can't make. He's a good athlete who is still a bit raw, but the athletic ability is more than there which is what allows him to flourish as he's developing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["560096"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Goodman is lengthy LB who is fantastic at creating pressure and finding holes to burst through to disrupt a play. He's only continuing to improve every time he steps on the field which is exactly what you're looking for. He's confident and trusts what he sees developing. He won't miss many tackles and can bring down the ball carrier in the open field. I would like to see him get more work in the passing game in coverage, but he's so good near the line of scrimmage it's hard to pull him off.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["320277"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The South Dearborn product continues to develop on and off the field. He's long, he's thick, he's hard at work in the weight room, and is someone who could be just scratching the surface of his raw potential. He's got strong hands and once he grabs a ball carrier they aren't going anywhere but to the ground. He's got good instincts and understands where he needs to be on every given down. There's never been a lack of confidence from Ballart and there never should be. He's as talented as they come with a good frame to build on during his collegiate career.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140c2e6c0dd"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Notable LBs To Watch</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 LB is as deep of a class as they come. Here are just a few other LBs to watch over the next 2 years who could end up playing college ball at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533146"],"_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":"Muncie Central may have the best 2-man LB core in the state with Echols and Allen. With Echols you have an elite athlete who can fly all over the field and just lay the wood. He's willing to lay it all on the line and plays with a high intensity that you can feel when you watch the tape. He's the guy who helps get the team juiced up and will go wild after a big play. When you watch his tape you can see that he loves playing football, and quite simply sometimes that goes a long long way. Either way, Echols has a good feel for the game and with his frame, he should have no issue playing at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["751293"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Once strictly known as the state's #1 long snapper, Peters has jumped on the defensive side of the ball where he's really begun to make a difference. He's thick and has good length. He doesn't over-pursue and does a good job tracking the football through traffic. I also appreciate the fact he's got it down that he needs to come to balance and attack the outside hip. It's a small thing that goes a long way in what coaches are looking for. Not to mention you will likely land a long snapper with Peters as well, he's a fantastic 2-in-1 recruit to watch moving forward.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140c2e6c171"} /-->