2026 Rankings Update: Linebackers Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 linebackers with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the linebackers, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765a1e06bcdc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195576"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765a1e06ddf3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1195576' first='Keon' last='Chaffin'] remains at number three on our board for the position. He is a downhill, physical linebacker known for his good angles and physical presence in space. Chaffin consistently finds himself in the backfield, due to his ability to navigate through gaps during blitzes and effectively work off blocks to make plays at the line of scrimmage. He demonstrates good hand usage to shed blocks while maintaining his positioning or to disrupt receivers' routes. Additionally, he possesses a sideline-to-sideline motor, along with good change of direction, allowing him to control his zone and quickly shut down underneath routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/KjChaffin">https://x.com/KjChaffin</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268519"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765a1e06de59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='268519' first='Greyson' last='Jerry'] possesses the versatility to line up against receivers both outside, in the slot, and of course inside the box, due to his athleticism and physicality, which allow him to disrupt their routes effectively. He demonstrates physicality and has a quick read-and-react ability, enabling him to attack downhill with good angles in run defense. Additionally, he is a strong open-field tackler, showcasing a sideline-to-sideline motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.7 40</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/GJ_04_">https://x.com/GJ_04_</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1287330"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765a1e06dea3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1287330' first='Malachi' last='Summons'] continues to climb our rankings, now positioned at number 15 at the position. He consistently penetrates the backfield by effectively shooting through gaps during blitzes and working off blocks while staying square, which allows him to make plays at the line of scrimmage. Summons effectively uses his hands to shed blocks or disrupt receivers' routes while remaining squared up. With a good sideline-to-sideline motor, change of direction, and lateral agility, he efficiently controls his zone and effectively shuts down underneath routes. Whether playing off the edge in a 4-7 technique or as an off-ball linebacker, he has the versatility to succeed in various schemes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Offer List: Toledo</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/Malachi_M24">https://x.com/Malachi_M24</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1033379"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765a1e06deea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1033379' first='Zimran' last='Phelix'] had an impressive 2024 season and continues to rise on our board. Phelix is a high-motor prospect who plays sideline to sideline, allowing him to consistently make plays on the ball. He is a versatile athlete capable of playing multiple positions with athleticism and quickness. Phelix shows a good ability to read and react quickly, attacking downhill with physicality. Additionally, he demonstrates good football IQ at all levels of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.6 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/zpoffical12">https://x.com/zpoffical12</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["436453"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765a1e06df56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='436453' first='Briar' last='Gadberry'] is ranked number 26 on our board. He is a physical linebacker known for his physicality at the point of attack and a sideline-to-sideline motor. Gadberry demonstrates a quick first step, using his solid vision to read and react to plays in the backfield. He attacks downhill effectively, maintaining good angles and staying square. Additionally, he is a reliable open-field tackler, displaying solid technique and consistency in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Offer List: Hendrix </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/briargadberry20">https://x.com/briargadberry20</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER TOP 100 LINEBACKERS:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - [player_tooltip player_id='1195384' first='Jakore' last='Smith'] (Little Rock Parkview)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 - [player_tooltip player_id='283584' first='Braxton' last='Lindsey'] (Rogers)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 - [player_tooltip player_id='343179' first='Lane' last='Michael Lay'] (DeWitt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 - [player_tooltip player_id='910087' first='Kevin' last='Pope'] (Pine Bluff)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7 - [player_tooltip player_id='1310542' first='Jackson' last='Redman'] (Pulaski Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8 - [player_tooltip player_id='495199' first='Lawson' last='Wimberley'] (Searcy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->