New 2026 Linebackers On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some new 2026 linebackers seeing their recruitment pick up? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has the details...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavious “Xae” Anderson- LB - Callaway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, instinctive linebacker on the rise with good size for his age at 6-foot-1 210-pounds, Anderson is a natural at the position who can sneak through blocks to find the ball-carrier. He's a slippery defender, but he also knows how to strike and deliver a big, sound hit behind his pads. He plays physical and has no problem closing running lanes in the trenches. He's a sure-tackler who will only get better and better this off-season as he attempts to have a truly dominant junior season for Callaway. As a sophomore last year, Anderson proved he's one of the best 2026 defenders in the area and across West Georgia as he made 64 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He's a hard-working young man who gives great effort every play, and it's led to a new offer from Navy. If Anderson continues to improve and develop his game, more offers could come his way soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1319897' first='Duyon' last='Forkpa Jr']. - Mill Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to find a hotter linebacker prospect in Georgia right now than the long, athletic outside linebacker from Mill Creek. The 6-foot-2 220-pounder flashed big-play potential last year, and he's had a fantastic spring in front of college coaches, reeling in offers this month from Indiana, Missouri, Georgia Tech, UCF, and Ole Miss. His length, natural athleticism, and tenacious effort make it easy to see why the offers are rolling in. He shows a high ceiling as a versatile linebacker who can wrap up against the run while making an impact in coverage against the pass. Just a sophomore, look for Forkpa Jr. to have an outstanding junior season if he continues to learn and add more muscle over the next several months. He's expected to help lead the Mill Creek defense this season, and if he does, he could end up being one of the most productive linebackers in the area this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1325794' first='Royal' last='Weber'] - Shiloh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hard-hitting, versatile linebacker on the rise in Gwinnett County, Weber is coming off a strong sophomore season where he made big plays both against the run and in coverage last year as a junior. He's put together physically at 6-foot-2 190-pounds and knows how to run down the ball-carrier. His stock is on the rise, and this week he earned his first D1 offer from Western Michigan. He made 57 tackles last year with three TFLs and one sack. His potential is easy to see, and while he didn't play a full season last year, it's clear college coaches are interested in this under the radar defender. He flashes big-play ability as a sophomore, and if he continues to improve and develop more and more over the next year, his offer list could look a lot different this time next year. He's a breakout linebacker candidate to know about for the 2024 season, and he's bound for a new ranking in the next Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->