2026’s Up Next: Linebackers to Watch in 2025

<p>With national signing day approaching, all eyes will focus on the class of 2026. This evaluation will examine the top talents and under-the-radar prospects who can make a significant leap in 2025.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='910087' first='Kevin' last='Pope'] is entering a crucial senior season with significant potential to showcase to college football programs nationwide. Pope is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who takes good angles and knows how to fill gaps with physicality at the point of attack. He has the size and motor you want in the second level. He has good footwork; he consistently reads the backfield with good quick reactions. Keep an eye on him throughout 2025. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KevinPope870/status/1860026585321210048 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1614059' first='Torrey' last='Trotter'] is an underrated linebacker in the state of Arkansas who also plays with a high motor. He displays a quick first step and solid read-and-react ability to attack downhill against the run. He has a good slide shuffle/footwork when working across the field. </p>   <p>Note - 3.3 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TorreyTrotterFB/status/1878498499383189809 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1033379' first='Zimran' last='Phelix'] is one of the hardest workers and high-motor linebackers you'll meet in high school football. Obviously, he plays sideline to sideline, allowing him to consistently make plays on the ball, but his leadership is what stands out. Phelix shows a good ability to read and react quickly, attacking downhill with physicality and making plays in space. He's solid in pass coverage, as he can work through his zones with solid COD, balance, and foot quickness. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.6 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zpoffical12/status/1835355077839646989 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1349675' first='Kaedon' last='Curtis'] is solid in pursuit when attacking downhill against the run. He effectively sheds blockers while staying square, which enables him to make plays at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. His physicality at the point of attack is impressive. He is definitely a player to watch in 2025.</p>   <p>Note - 3.4 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kcurtis2026/status/1856057135588577323 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='809619' first='Antonio' last='Shelton II'] is a linebacker prospect to watch in 2025, as he has the potential to make a significant leap. He displays good athletic ability, along with good body control and balance, which allows him to navigate through traffic effectively when defending against the run and to make plays in space. He stays square and uses his hands well to shed blocks quickly. Additionally, he possesses solid read-and-react skills, allowing him to break on receivers rapidly and change direction efficiently to force PBUs.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.4 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ASheltonII/status/1881811199396032577 </div></figure>

With national signing day approaching, all eyes will focus on the class of 2026. This evaluation will examine the top talents and under-the-radar prospects who can make a significant leap in 2025.