PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update | LB Prospect Profiles (Top 7)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker might not be a position that pops into people's minds when thinking about in-state prospects. If they thought about it more, maybe it would. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa's Jack Campbell won the 2022 Butkus Award as the nation's top college linebacker. Decorah's Josey Jewell claimed the Lambert Trophy while playing for the Hawkeyes in '17. The state's '24 Class was linebacker heavy with [player_tooltip player_id='248037' first='Derek' last='Weisskopf'], [player_tooltip player_id='156461' first='Cam' last='Buffington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156453' first='Preston' last='Ries'], all of whom signed with the Hawkeyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The position is sound for the '26 Class as well, as evidenced by the updated <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/plenty-of-movement-additions-in-26-rankings-update/">Prep Redzone Iowa Rankings</a> this week. The group is led by Fort Dodge's [player_tooltip player_id='856075' first='DreShaun' last='Ross'], who checks in at No. 3 overall. Here's a closer look at the Top 7 linebackers in the cycle: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["856075"],"_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":"Ross (6-3, 215) became a more well-known prospect in February of '23, when he won a state wrestling title as a freshman. You do that in Iowa, and people notice. Right after that, he hauled in football scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska by the end of May. Kansas State and Wisconsin have jumped in since then. He also u003ca href=u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU2B96pkJyEu0022u003epinned his wayu003c/au003e to another state title on the mat this winter. As a sophomore, he racked up 55 solo tackles and 11.0 tackles for loss. Ross added 729 yards (6.1 YPC) and eight touchdowns rushing, much of it produced out of the wildcat. While watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17996675/651459fa02b154049029e3bfu0022u003esophomore highlight videou003c/au003e, we see a dominant force on both sides of the ball. He possesses the size, speed and athleticism to be special. I'm not saying he's the next Ben Kueter, but I'm not saying he's not, either.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1238514"],"_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":"Thomas (6-1, 190) is receiving Power 5 interest after a sophomore season that saw him lead Heelan in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (17.0), ranking second with 41 solo stops. He added 422 yards and three touchdowns rushing. Thomas lists his positions as outside linebacker and running back on his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681877/658f3c477bd46f07a4d3c406u0022u003e10th-grade filmu003c/au003e. His athleticism and explosiveness pop off of the highlights. The first clip shows him lining up on the edge and intercepting a pass during the state championship game. The Crusaders utilize Thomas as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, frequently sending him at the opposing quarterback. His power, speed and slick moves are advanced for his age. His recruiting stock could rise during a summer camp tour that likely will have him at Iowa, Kansas State, Iowa State, South Dakota State and North Dakota State.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1188432"],"_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":"It would be fair to say Claus (6-2, 195) produced as a sophomore. In fact, that would be an understatement. The Keokuk standout piled up 94.5 tackles (59 solo, 11.0 TFL) with a pair of sacks and two interceptions last fall. His u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17764397/656eb626ff039f049c09b72du0022u003e10th-grade highlight videou003c/au003e matches up with the statistics. He moved around the second level, lining up on the weak side, in the middle and over the tight end in a 4-3. He does a really nice job diagnosing plays and quickly making his way to the ball in attacking the rush. He moves well in coverage and keeps his eyes on the quarterback.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["212326"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Demaray (6-0, 215) delivered 25 solo tackles as a sophomore on varsity last fall. His u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18581271/65514b04bd6a500720ca828eu0022u003e10th-grade highlight videou003c/au003e lists his position as inside/outside linebacker. That makes sense when watching the film. He moves around the formation. Demaray finds his way to the ball carrier from all of those spots, doing well in getting off of blocks. He shows good form in tackling and wraps up upon arrival. There aren't many plays on video with him in coverage, but he looks nimble in the ones included.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1238495"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Montgomery revealed his athleticism by returning seven kicks and punting once as a sophomore while mostly playing linebacker. You don't see that a lot. He totaled 12 solo tackles, 3.0 stops for loss and a sack as a 10th-grader. During his most recent u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17773241/6536d222d224e20b30e4f142u0022u003ehighlight videou003c/au003e, Montgomery proves to be a violent tackler with noticeable strength for his age. His frame looks like it can add good weight that won't impact the high-end athleticism with which he plays the position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1241534"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Dudley (6-3, 225) sticks out for the Class 1A Bulldogs in stature and in production. As a 10th-grader, he shined on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 508 yards and six touchdowns, both of which led the team. He led the squad in tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (6.5), and ranked second with 36 solo stops. His motor and dogged pursuit of the football rise up when watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17695756/6549b1305797bf0af0cedbf9u0022u003esophomore highlight videou003c/au003e. He lists his position as defensive end and that's mostly where he lines up. Chasing down the quarterback and stopping the run are strengths of his.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1241518"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another talented Weisskopf is matriculating through Williamsburg after Class of 2024 standout, [player_tooltip player_id='248037' first='Derek' last='Weisskopf'], led the Raiders to their first state championship last fall. Dylan contributed 20.5 tackles (14 solo, 2.0 TFL) and a sack to the cause. He's announced summer camp invites from Nebraska and Houston. During his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14945549/655bb3820660cf042057ece2u0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e, [player_tooltip player_id='1241518' first='Dylan' last='Weisskopf'] (6-0, 200) consistently finds the right path to the ball carrier, using proper form in tackling. He also runs well in space and moves fluidly laterally.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6622b8468423e"} /-->