2026 NY Rankings: Linebacker

<p>Since I began covering/working in football in New York State three seasons ago, there has not been a more talented LB class than this one; several players from Buffalo, Rochester, and the NYC area have D1 potential, and multiple additional prospects had strong enough sophomore seasons to make some noise as they get bigger and stronger. </p>   <p>Check out the updated 2026 Rankings <a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/rankings/2026-rankings/">HERE</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Top Prospect</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Heininger checks a lot of boxes as a potential Division 1 prospect. The Brighton LB prospect has the measurables at over 6' and 220+. Heading into his Junior season, he does not need to get much bigger. He should just continue to refine his body and develop more strength in the weight room. </p>   <p>On tape, Heininger plays with a great motor, gets involved with tackles sideline to sideline, and is willing to chase from behind. His best trait is his instincts and vision. He sees the backfield well and has a quick trigger downhill. He evades blocks well and shows some ability to shed and use his hands well at the point of attack. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Next Five Prospects</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was part of a very talented CBA-Syracuse defense last season that featured multiple playmakers playing the LB/SS position. Smith did not fill the box score a ton, but his tape and overall athleticism project strongly to the next level. I like Smith's athleticism on film and think he is a player who has a really strong junior season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Montgomery Jr live in a 7v7 format, and the James Monroe LB prospect has the build and frame for the FBS level. He moves really well in space and has a good feel for the game in coverage. His tape does not have a ton of coverage, so watching the 7v7 film and seeing him in person helped complete the evaluation. Against the run, Montgomery has a quick trigger, good closing speed, and is a violent finisher. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Pressley, who got some time as a freshman for Iona Prep at the RB position, shifted into a full-time LB role, and he is a really twitchy and quick LB prospect who does a solid job evading blocks. A smaller LB prospect he may fit more as a SS or a Rover at the next level but has time to grow and add weight to his frame. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Bonilla already has really solid measurables, the St. John The Baptist LB prospect moves well in space and is a physical tackler. While he does sacrifice some tackling technique for the big hits and throwing guys around is overall more physical around the ball than most linebackers in the state. Bonilla is solid coming downhill, has a strong upper half, and can shed lineman inside the tackles. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Bernas is a really twitchy and agile LB prospect. He needs to add some weight and strength to his frame but has a really quick trigger downhill and flashes some high-level burst and closing speed. He is more of a block evader than he is a block shedder. Bernas finds space in gaps and is able to get through with his plus athleticism. Also a strong wrestler, Bernas shows consistent tackling technique and is effective tackling in space. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Prospects To Know</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson, one of the top LB prospects from Long Island, is a physical tackler who consistently shows the ability to evade and fight through blocks. You see solid athleticism on tape, and although there is not a lot of coverage reps he moves well going sideline to sideline and takes really solid angles towards the sidelines. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Mbaiyo made the move from Hutch-Tech to Canisius this offseason and projects as one of the top LBs on the Canisius team. Mbaiyo is a physical LB prospect, who is still growing into his body but flashes some burst and closing speed on tape. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Silva was one of the top-performing underclassmen in the CHSFL as a sophomore. Although the Spellman team had a tough season, Silva was a solid presence in the middle of their defense. Silva is a sideline-to-sideline type LB who plays with a high motor and is a consistent tackler. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">LB Rankings Table</h2>

Since I began covering/working in football in New York State three seasons ago, there has not been a more talented LB class than this one; several players from Buffalo, Rochester, and the NYC area have D1 potential, and multiple additional prospects had strong enough sophomore seasons to make some noise as they get bigger and stronger.