Rankings Update: New Class Of 2026 Linebackers

We recently updated our Class of 2026 Rankings! In this article we are going to share a bit about some of the Linebackers we have added to the rankings for this update.    With offers from Lenoir-Rhyne and Cornell, Ryder is a very good linebacker who runs a laser-timed 4.76 40-yard dash time. Good size along with that physical ability will definitely have more colleges interested in his abilities. Ryder was also named an All-Conference player last season. Ryder is definitely a three-down linebacker in my eyes - he shows good discipline and speed in zone coverage in the passing game, he tackles well in space against backs and receivers, and he has enough strength to be a force against the inside run game. If he can add weight and maintain his speed, he will be an even more impressive prospect.       An All-Conference and All-County selection last season, the most important thing I noticed about Cohen is his 4.3 GPA he lists on his Twitter profile. Impressive stuff. As it sounds, he is the aforementioned Ryder's brother and good football definitely runs in the family. Offers also run in the family, as both Cornell and Lenoir-Rhyne have offered Cohen as well to play college football. The biggest difference between Ryder and Cohen I think is Cohen is much more of a middle linebacker. He does a great job in stopping the run and making tackles in space. I think also his football intelligence is off the charts - he can read and diagnose plays before they happen and sniff them out for no gain or even losses on the play.     When an All-State linebacker with the production Dontario has is #10 in our rankings, that is a compliment to all the players listed here for sure. Dontario totaled 159 total tackles and 19 tackles for loss last season. He is a strong and stout middle linebacker who may be listed as 5'10", but he plays much bigger than that. Dontario currently has offers from St. Andrews, Limestone, and Hampden-Sydney College. Dontario plays with explosive physicality and tackles exceptionally well in open space against both backs and receivers.     79 tackles, 23 tackles for loss on one of the best teams in the state, there was no doubt that Kyrie deserved to be ranked as one of the best linebackers in North Carolina. I have seen Kyrie up close before, and he is an athletic and fast linebacker who can do a number of things well. I like how Kyrie scrapes down the line of scrimmage and makes secure tackles in open space. Kyrie also shows good speed and discipline in pass coverage. It will be good to see Kyrie remain productive, add a little weight to his frame, and still fly around the field. Additional weight will allow him to be a bigger force against the straight ahead power run game, and allow him to put even more good film out there.     Caleb currently has offers from Charlotte and Austin Peay and is lined up to have a big junior season for the Green Wave. I thought Caleb was one of the best linebackers in the Charlotte Metro area this off-season, and his ranking here is really reflective of a deep linebacker class across the state here. I think if Caleb has another strong season like he did last year, in our next rankings update he should see a big rise on where he stacks up against similar individual competition. Caleb is a three down linebacker who loves contact and is an excellent tackler in the open field.

We recently updated our Class of 2026 Rankings! In this article we are going to share a bit about some of the Linebackers we have added to the rankings for this update.