Next Up '26 Northern California Linebackers

Turner is one of the hardest hitters across the Northern California region and is a true inside plug that flys around and can make plays outside the tackles in space as well. He flows well over the top and shows closing speed, proper angles in space and is extremely physical when getting off blocks and filling gaps inside. He is a no-brainer next level player and is one of the top defensive prospects across the bay area coming off a stellar sophomore campaign.     Speer is a two-way star on one of the top small school teams in the state of California, and helped Sonora win their first state championship this fall. He is a true Mike linebacker that is stout in the middle, gets downhill quickly and can weave around blockers to get into the backfield with ease. He shows a quick trigger, high football IQ and is a high motor kid to flies around and is always around the ball. Speer is extremely physical at the POA, shows he can run through contact and is a high motor kid on both sides. One of the top returning players regardless of level across the SJS, he should have a huge Senior season for a loaded returning 2026 class coming back for the Wildcats.     Barajas is one of the more balanced and violent linebackers across northern California and is a no-brainer next level kid that will be a big-time steal in college. He has a strong build and moves well for his size while a true plug in the middle of the Manteca defense and has been a multi-year starter. Barajas takes proper angles in the open field, shows a quick trigger and play recognition and does a good job at knifing into the backfield and making plays behind the line. He is a high motor kid that shows flat backside pursuit and has twitch when blitzing with active hands/hips around the edge and shows a violent finish at the POA.     Tago is in the conversation for one of the top linebackers in the central valley after a stellar Junior season campaign for Patterson. He is a twitchy in rangy outside linebacker that shows tremendous cover skills downfield, fluid hips and can run with tight ends and running backs. Tago shows good sudden twitch when getting into the backfield and also flashes lateral movement over the top while able to run through contact at the point of attack and is extremely physical. He is a high motor kid that is seemingly always around the ball and is one of the top returning players in a section heading into 2025.     Owens is a long and rangy linebacker that can play both inside or outside. He has the frame to continue to pack on weight over the next couple of years and provides good versatility from the second level. He is a fluid athlete they can cover downfield and triggers quickly into the flats while showing pass rush ability off the edge and is a natural bender with a quick use of hand at the point of attack and can get around bigger blockers with redirect abilities as well. He is one of the top returning players in the northern section and is in line for a monster senior year.