2026 Watchlist LB Check-In: East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our offseason content is in full swing and it's time to check on some of the 2026 linebackers that we haven't written about in a while. Here, I'm focused on the guys on our watchlist. Usually, these are guys who are transferring, haven't played much on varsity, or don't have a ton of film, but could have breakout years. We've already covered some <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/2026-watchlist-lb-check-in-west/">linebackers in the western part of the state</a>. Let's break down some of the 2026 Watchlist LBs from the eastern part of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Watchlist LBs To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1101224"],"_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-67d456382166a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turner is a guy who will probably make his way into our rankings by the time the season starts. A multi-faceted player, Turner had an interception and multiple fumble recoveries and forced fumbles as a junior. He's a guy who likes to play downhill and make impact plays in the backfield and that ability to shoot gaps is intriguing as it relates to his prospects as a college player, especially now that he's put on some weight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1572073"],"_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-67d45638216f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Union Pines always seems to have some players who develop late and put up strong numbers as upperclassmen. Clayton had a good junior season playing mostly as an edge rusher, racking up 40 tackles and five sacks. His size will probably limit him to an off-ball linebacker role, but he's plenty quick to thrive there as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1129856"],"_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-67d4563821762"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We were late to seeing Bordelon's film, but he's a guy who should find himself safely within the rankings by the next update. He's a smart player who gets good depth on his drops in zone coverage, and he's good at filling gaps in the running game. He's someone I'm excited to watch this fall and I think he's a guy who could end up finishing his high school career on a high note and playing at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1027755"],"_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-67d45638217cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scott has solid size for a middle linebacker and his sideline-to-sideline speed is impressive. That range allows him to make plays all over the film. While the tackle numbers aren't eye-popping, he's a good player who always seems to be around the ball. He has the talent to continue developing and put up a great senior season in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1068199"],"_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-67d4563821834"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wright has been a hard evaluation for us. His stats have been good, but his film was just average. But he really turned things up at the end of last season and is a guy who will definitely be in the next rankings update. Wright lacks elite size, but makes up for it by always putting himself in the best position to make plays. He's a linebacker who can play at every level, even flashing defensive back skills in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->