2026 Linebacker Check-in: Week 5

<p>Let's continue our check-in series on the 2026 class by looking at some of the top linebackers in the state. We've already looked at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/2026-quarterbacks-check-in-week-5/">quarterbacks</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/2026-running-back-check-in-week-5/">running backs</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/2026-wide-receiver-check-in-week-5/">receivers</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/2026-defensive-line-check-in-week-5/">defensive linemen</a>, so it's time to move off the ball a bit on defense and look at some standout linebackers.</p>   <p>Like the other lists, we'll check in on the top three, look at a few others who are off to good starts and then list a few more that have the numbers but we haven't gotten as good of a chance to scout recently, but who we'd like to see.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midseason 2026 Linebacker Check-in</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">I've been really impressed with Davis' transition from linebacker-safety hybrid to true off-ball linebacker over the last few years. Now, it seems like his transition to a full-time MIKE linebacker is really paying off. He has the speed to get sideline to sideline and has bulked up enough to take on blocks. He's a natural at finding run fits, which shouldn't come naturally to most normal people. Davis isn't normal and should play early and often at the next level.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">There's not much room above Brannon in the rankings for him to move up, but I'd expect him to get a slight bump after the year. The recruiting has finally caught up to his considerable talent level and he's been fantastic early this season. He's been everywhere, with 49 tackles in four games to start the season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Off the field, Littlejohn has had an eventful year, transferring too Charlotte Christian in the offseason before transferring to West Meck after Week 1. On the field, Littlejohn has excelled as a linebacker-edge rusher hybrid. In just a couple of games, he's already racked up a couple sacks and several tackles for loss. He's likely an off-ball linebacker at the next level, but has the ability to get after the passer as well.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Linebackers Impressing Early</h3>   <p>Obviously, we're paying attention to what prospects outside of the top three are doing. Here are a few guys further down the rankings who are really impressing.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Wright isn't the biggest linebacker you'll find, but he excels at sticking his nose in the middle and sifting through offensive linemen to make the tackle. Let me emphasize that he loves to tackle. Through four games, he's averaging 14.2 tackles a game. A lot of those are assists, but he's still getting in there and making his presence felt.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Faulkner's early season junior film is an old-school teaching tape on how to hit people. He's a linebacker at this level and the next, but he plays both ways and loves to initiate contact as a fullback as well. As a linebacker, he's able to sit a bit further back than normal because he's so quick to diagnose plays and once he makes a decision, there's no hesitation. He's going to make an FCS school very happy as an old-school thumper of a middle linebacker.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">It'd be hard to find any defender who is off to as strong a start as Johnston through the first four games of the season. So far, Johnston has 42 tackles, including 10 for loss, and five sacks. Offensively, he;s growing into a bruising H-Back, but his future is on the defensive side of the ball. He's bullying offensive linemen and showing the ability to get off blocks and make plays in the running game. South Caldwell is using him mostly as a 3-3-5 and 3-4 outside linebacker, but he has the versatility to play numerous positions.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2026 Linebackers Who Have Impressed</h2>   <p>Here are some more guys we've liked early. Maybe we'll break them down with full scouting reports later this season.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1406062' first='Terande' last='Spencer'], Richmond</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bryce Nixon, Olympic</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Savvion Johnson, Reidsville</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1076281' first='Cameron' last='Melvin'], Cleveland</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='803792' first='Ryder' last='Kilgannon'], Cuthbertson</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='854270' first='Jonathan' last='Manson'], Franklinton</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='849693' first='Dontario' last='Austin'], Trinity Christian</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1368102' first='Nate' last='Akers'], West Stokes</h3>

Let's continue our check-in series on the 2026 class by looking at some of the top linebackers in the state. We've already looked at the quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and defensive linemen, so it's time to move off the ball a bit on defense and look at some standout linebackers.