Sleeper 2026 Linebackers To Know This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sleeper 2026 linebackers are bound for monster junior seasons this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323179' first='Major' last='Simmons'] - First Presbyterian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under the radar linebacker who was one of the most productive defenders last season in all of Macon and the Middle Georgia area, Simmons may have played at a private school, but he was certainly one of the top defenders in the area for the 2026 class. He's not the biggest linebacker at just 6-foot-0 175-pounds, Simmons showed a true nose for the football last season as a sophomore with strong instincts, toughness, and the ability to run down the ball-carrier. Simmons lit up the stat sheet in 2023, making an eye-opening 132 tackles, 8 TFLs, and two INTs along with four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. There's a lot he does well, he knows how to run, and he's technically sound, wrapping up the ball-carrier on a consistent basis. He made 10+ tackles in seven games last year and always found his way to the ball. If he continues to work hard and add more muscle, Simmons could be even better as a junior in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323178' first='Wade' last='Register'] - Trinity Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A small-town athlete who can play a number of different positions in all phases of the game, Register was an outstanding linebacker last season as a sophomore who made tackle after tackle on a consistent basis all year long. At 6-foot-2 210-pounds, this Irwinton native was all over the field last year and wrecked offenses in the backfield week after week. He's physical, can shed blocks, and knows how to wrap up and get the ball-carrier to the ground. One of the leading tacklers across the state last year in the 2026 class, Register made 155 tackles, recording at least six tackles in every game he played in. He made 10+ tackles in eight games, hitting the 20+ tackle mark twice. He's a stout run defender who can deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier. He can close running lanes between the tackles with enough speed and instincts who run down the back towards the sideline. He was a tackling machine and should only get better as a junior this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577615' first='Joe' last='Douglas'] - Thomasville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, instinctive South Georgia linebacker to know, Douglas played like a seasoned veteran last year for a strong Thomasville team, making an impressive 120 tackles and five TFLs. He also made three sacks, one INT, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He has a true nose for the ball and was a key run defender all season long. He also showed the ability to force a turnover and was one of the leading tacklers in all of South Georgia for the 2026 class. He made at least 10 tackles in eight games last fall and ended his sophomore season making double-digit tackles in each of his last four games. He runs well, wraps up, and gives max-effort every play. He really shined as a sophomore and is bound for a breakout junior season for the Bulldogs in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215857' first='Antonio' last='Heath']</strong> <strong>– Heard County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile, playmaking athlete in West Georgia who can make an impact as both a running back and a run-stuffing, Heath is fresh off a productive sophomore season for Heard County where he made 109 tackles, 13 TFLs, and two forced fumbles. He plays hard and with a level of toughness that you rarely see from such young defenders. He played like an experienced veteran last year and was one of the most productive linebackers in the area. It was a tough season overall for Heard County last fall as far as victories go, but Heath was certainly an easy bright spot who showed a lot of potential. He filled up the box score weekly as he made at least 10 tackles in seven of his 11 games last year including his final three games of the season. He showed good instincts, hits hard behind his pads, and got better and better over time as the season went along. He's bound for a giant junior season in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201791' first='Larson' last='Little']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/larson-little-13/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Benedictine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Savannah area is loaded with outstanding defenders, and Benedictine's Lasron Little is one of the very best in the area. The 6-foot-0 200-pounder was one of the more productive Cadet defenders last year on a team that won another state championship. He's an intelligent, instinctive defender who knows how to wrap up and make a fundamentally sound tackle. He plays the game hard, loves to compete and gives everything he has on every down. Just a sophomore last year, Little made sure everyone knew his name by the end of last season. He played with several talented players on that Benedictine defense and more than held his own all season long. He made at least 8+ tackles in five different games and totaled 100 tackles on the year to go along with 7 TFLs, one sack, and one forced fumble. He's a rising junior linebacker still flying under the radar, but if he continues to work hard and develop this off-season, Little could be bound for a big 2024 season in year three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->