June Rankings Update: 2026 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have officially released another rankings update in the state of Arkansas for the class of 2026. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 linebackers with analysis. Over the next month, I will breakdown these rankings by position in each class with other segments included.</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":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666f0c6c24ae2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195384"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666f0c6c25ffb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1195384' first='Jakore' last='Smith'] is an athletic linebacker with speed and good football IQ. Smith is the 2nd rated overall player and 1st overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Smith displays very good read and react ability, attacking downhill instantly vs the running game while staying square with good pad level, angles and UOH to shed blocks and make a play. Sideline-to-Sideline motor with the physicalness and speed to shoot gaps and make a play in the backfield. Good feel in zone and man coverage, keying the quarterbacks' eyes and reacting off the throw. His change of direction and lateral agility allows him to transition through assignments and stay on his man. Impressive open field tackler with good technique. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Memphis, Mississippi State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee &amp; UCF</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note – 3.5 GPA / 4 Star</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/jakoresmithh">[player_tooltip player_id='1195384' first='Jakore' last='Smith'] (@jakoresmithh) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283584"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666f0c6c26057"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='283584' first='Braxton' last='Lindsey'] showcases good length with a sideline-to-sideline motor. Lindsey is the 7th rated overall player and 2nd overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Lindsey's motor is relentless, attacks downhill with good tackling ability and angles to pursue the ball carrier. Displays good hand placement to work off of blocks and force a stop at the LOS or in the backfield. On top of that, he fires off the line of scrimmage, immediately working around the opposition. Good read and react ability with impressive feel in coverage. His ability to change direction quickly is effective, allowing him to arrive at the catch point to force a PBU. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas State, North Texas, Ouachita Baptist &amp; Tulsa</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note – 3.9 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/BraxtonTrev">(1) [player_tooltip player_id='283584' first='Braxton' last='Lindsey'] (@BraxtonTrev) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195576"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666f0c6c26099"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1195576' first='Keon' last='Chaffin'] is a downhill, physical linebacker that showcases good angles and pop in space. Chaffin is the 22nd rated overall player and 3rd overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Chaffin is consistently in the backfield due to his ability to shoot through gaps on blitzes or work off of blocks and make a play. Displays good use of hands to shed blocks or displace receivers on routes. Sideline-to-sideline motor with good change of direction to control his zone or shutdown underneath routes quickly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - All-Conference</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/KjChaffin">(3) [player_tooltip player_id='1195576' first='Keon' last='Chaffin'] Jr (@KjChaffin) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["343179"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666f0c6c260d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='343179' first='Lane' last='Michael Lay'] showcases quickness and good football IQ at the position. Lay is the 36th rated overall player and 4th overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Solid downhill attacker with good angles and foot quickness to beat his blocks and make a play in space. Displays the ability to read the quarterbacks eyes in coverage, while staying to his zone and attacking anything underneath. His versatility allows him to lineup inside the box or at OLB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/LaneLay5">(1) Lane Lay (@LaneLay5) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268519"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666f0c6c26112"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='268519' first='Greyson' last='Jerry'] is a versatile prospect on the defensive side of the ball due to his ability to play inside and outside of the box. He is the 44th rated overall player and 5th overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Jerry has the ability to line up outside on receivers in the slot due to his athleticism, foot quickness and physicality to displace them off routes. Displays physicalness with a quick read and react ability to attack downhill with good angles vs the run. Good open field tackler in space. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note – 4.7 40</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/GJ_04_">(1) [player_tooltip player_id='268519' first='Greyson' last='Jerry'] 💫 (@GJ_04_) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 LINEBACKERS IN THE CLASS OF 2026:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='739072' first='Rylan' last='Mcnamee'] (Valley View)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='639432' first='Joshua' last='Rainey'] (Lakeside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='495199' first='Lawson' last='Wimberley'] (Searcy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='255654' first='Whit' last='Alderson'] (Arkadelphia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='1125273' first='Eli' last='McNutt'] (Harrison)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='910087' first='Kevin' last='Pope'] (Pine Bluff)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->