2026 Film Room: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our prospect evaluations for the class of 2026 we broke down the sophomore film of the linebackers.&nbsp; There are several high end guys at the top along with some potential for upside as we go through the group looking at them here in <strong>2026 Film Room: Linebackers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401621' first='Leon' last='Howard'] (East St. Louis – 6'2” 220)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard who is nicknamed the "Terminator" plays like it on the field.&nbsp; The 6'2" 220 pound linebacker plays with extreme speed and explosiveness.&nbsp; Great build and runs well with that size.&nbsp; His versatility playing all over the field is a big strength of his playing inside, outside, and even on the defensive line as a three technique.&nbsp; Takes great angles to the ball carrier and is a ferocious tackler.&nbsp; Wraps up well and makes impactful plays in the backfield.&nbsp; Can take on blocks, get off them, and run to the ball.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='682480' first='Diesel' last='McFadden'] (Taft – 6'0” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McFadden is coming off a sophomore season where he racked up 43 tackles including 19 TFL along with 5 sacks.&nbsp; Strong and stocky frame and runs very well. Mostly lines up on the edge as a OLB.&nbsp; Gets up field as a pass rusher to the QB and is discipline reading option hand offs in the backfield.&nbsp; Wraps up well and is a physical overall tackler.&nbsp; Can take on the block at the line and get off it to make the tackle.&nbsp; Makes disruptive plays!&nbsp; Son of former college and NFL running back Darren McFadden.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401618' first='Kingston' last='Dunagan'] (Joliet Catholic – 6'0” 210)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunagan is a 6'0" 210 linebacker that can play both inside and out.&nbsp; Strong frame and pursues the ball well.&nbsp; Tackles very good in space.&nbsp; Can play physical at the point of attack blowing up plays in short yardage.&nbsp; Takes good angles when tackling in the box and wraps up.&nbsp; Also is extremely impactful on special teams on various kick coverage units tackling in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401622' first='Logan' last='Abrams'] (Cary Grove – 6'3” 230)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abrams has great size at 6'3" 230 pounds.&nbsp; His entire hudl tape is him playing full back, but with lack of that position value at the next level we project him as a linebacker. Brings great physicality and has a strong lower body. On the offensive side of the ball he is tough to bring down and runs with power.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283925' first='Jayvon' last='Anderson'] (Kenwood – 5'11” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is more of a natural middle linebacker that can also play some on the edge as well.&nbsp; Great speed to the ball and explodes through the ball carrier when tackling them.&nbsp; Gets up field to make disruptive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801992' first='Olaf' last='Kozub'] (Stagg – 6'0” 210)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past year for Stagg Kozub racked up 57 tackles and a pair of pass breakups as a linebacker.&nbsp; Also as a running back he had 827 yards and 4 touchdowns.&nbsp; Projects best as a middle linebacker at the next level.&nbsp; Stuffs in the run game and takes good angles to tackle wrapping up on the lower half.&nbsp; Runs well in space and flashes mobility covering over the middle against the pass.&nbsp; As a running back he runs with power and is very adept in the screen game as a pass catcher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802037' first='Tyler' last='Drake'] (Geneva – 6'0” 190)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past season Drake had 92 tackles including 31 TFL and 4 sacks as a sophomore for Geneva.&nbsp; Also on the offensive side he had 29 carries for 456 yards.&nbsp; Also contributes on the coverage units on special teams.&nbsp; As a linebacker he pursues the ball well and runs sideline to sideline.&nbsp; As a running back he keeps those legs churning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan Knox (West Aurora – 5'9” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox is a smaller linebacker that has good length.&nbsp; Chases well in space and runs sideline to sideline.&nbsp; Uses his length to grab ball carrier and bring them in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523473' first='Owen' last='Maman'] (Evanston – 5'11” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maman is a linebacker that could also play some strong safety.&nbsp; Last season he split time between JV and varsity.&nbsp; Long and lean frame.&nbsp; Flies to the ball and when in pursuit takes sound angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801996' first='Sean' last='McGann'] (Brother Rice – 5'9” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGann is a strong and stocky 5'9" 180 pound linebacker.&nbsp; He is at his best stuffing in the run game where he gets through traffic and makes plays with his physicality.&nbsp; Technically sound player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670342' first='Braylon' last='Murry'] (Thornridge – 5'11” 207)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murry is a 5'11" outside linebacker that has good length.&nbsp; Runs well after the ball and crashes down the line of scrimmage for tackles in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->