Breaking Down Elite Linebackers To Watch This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malik Morris | ATH | 2026 | Lakeland | @MalikMoriss43_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recent offers: Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Florida&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have found a true Power 5 recruit and guaranteed playmaker at the next level in Lakeland's 2026 Malik Morris. Who knew this kid could run the ball so effectively? Head coach Marvin Frazier who watched him day in and day out at practice made a smart decision to start letting Morris tote the rock earlier in the regular season. Morris is a BEAST at linebacker but the sophomore could have a future running the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606153' first='Logan' last='Mccloud']&nbsp;| 2025 | Newberry | @theloganmccloud&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a visit to Newberry this spring, it was no doubt that this kid was destined for a productive season. He finally got to get his hands on another team and made the most of it. Just check the First half Stats: 5 tackles, 1 receiving touchdown, 1 QB pressure, and 1 fumble recovery. As noted, McCloud has the frame and skills to play all over the field at the Prep Level. He has continued to develop his overall game this offseason and is set to be one of the interesting prospects on the Newberry big three. McCloud is a dynamic athlete who can play multiple positions on the defensive side because of his athleticism and agility skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212265' first='Simeon' last='Caldwell'] | LB | 2026 | Bolles | @Sim_C24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rising premier 2026 linebacker has gotten lots of attention during the off-season because of his versatile playing abilities and college-ready frame. He's one of the top fast rising recruits in the North Florida area to keep an eye on. At 6-3, 185-pounds, this kid has a lot of upside and potential to be an impact player at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Mcclenton | LB | 2026 | Ocoee | @michaelmcclent5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*1st in total tackles in state of Florida&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid seemingly came out of nowhere but put up Madden franchise numbers throughout his first season. He led the nation in sacks with 31.0 total, and second in the nation with 202 total tackles. Just check the film, this isn't little boy football or padded stats but he's a production beast with incredible upside for the college level. Mcclenton is a monster off the edge, a versatile athlete who understands the game early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368321' first='Elijah' last='Dias'] | LB | 2026 | Auburndale | @twin_frmpolk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's nice to watch young high school football players fly around the field and put it on the line to make game-changing plays and when you do, it must be highlighted. That's seemingly all Auburndale's 2026 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1368321' first='Elijah' last='Dias'] has put on film for college coaches to evaluate. He's continuing to stay humble throughout the recruiting process but is determined to leave as one of the greats out of Polk County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230787' first='Aden' last='Hall'] | LB | 2025 | Leesburg | @_Aden_Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hall has been dominant throughout the season while showing off tackling machine tendencies and good instincts for the position. He still has another year to add weight to his frame and develop into a true Power 5/Division I prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best of rest:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315994' first='Malakhi' last='Boone'] | LB | 2025 | South Sumter | @BooneMalakhi&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 108 total tackles – 24.0 TFL – 8.0 sacks&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin James | LB | 2025 | Lincoln | @JamesGavin_10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 108 total tackles – 17.0 TFL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209647' first='Trey' last='Berry'] | DB | 2025 | LCS | @Trey_berryy2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 120 total tackles – 9.0 TFL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210898' first='Anthony' last='Harris'] | LB | 2025 | Island Coast | @AnthonyHarr1s24&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 154 total tackles – 21.0 TFL – 4.0 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De'coryian Stanley | LB | 2025 | Bartow </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829336' first='Gage' last='Cameron'] | LB | 2025 | Parrish | @GageMcam</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 129 total tackles – 15.0 TFL – 3.5 sacks&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128660' first='Trent' last='Maloney'] | LB | 2025 | FBA | @trent_maloney87</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 129 total tackles – 7.5 TFL – 1.0 sacks&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1132417' first='Troy' last='Holloway'] | DL | 2025 | Bolles | @TroyHolloway25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 123 total tackles – 14.0 TFL&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130864' first='Matthew' last='Jenkins'] | LB | 2025 | Episcopal | @mjenkins_5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 121 TKLs -22 TFL – 6.0 Sacks – #1 in all of Florida District 2M for tackles at the end of the regular season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829336' first='Gage' last='Cameron']</strong> | LB | 2025 | Parrish | @GageMcam</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 129 total tackles – 15.0 TFL – 3.5 sacks&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128660' first='Trent' last='Maloney']</strong> | LB | 2025 | FBA | @trent_maloney87</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 129 total tackles – 7.5 TFL – 1.0 sacks&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1132417' first='Troy' last='Holloway']</strong> | DL | 2025 | Bolles | @TroyHolloway25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 123 total tackles – 14.0 TFL&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130864' first='Matthew' last='Jenkins']</strong> | LB | 2025 | Episcopal | @mjenkins_5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 121 TKLs -22 TFL – 6.0 Sacks – #1 in all of Florida District 2M for tackles at the end of the regular season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->