2026 Watchlist LB Check-in: West

<!-- 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. Let's break down some of the 2026 Watchlist LBs from the western 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":["711397"],"_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-67d43ed104c3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solomon is a candidate to move into the rankings at the next update as he has a strong junior season. A big hitter, Solomon racked up 39 solo tackles as a junior for Eastern Guilford. He's gained some weight and moves well, especially laterally, making him an excellent off-ball linebacker. We're excited to see hold he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1276956"],"_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-67d43ed104d2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boneque had a strong sophomore year, but wasn't quite as consistent as a junior. The flashes are excellent though, as he has the size and speed to be a college linebacker. He's likely going to put on a bit more weight while trying to maintain his quickness. He's a good tackler and that leads me to believe he could have a huge senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278435"],"_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-67d43ed104e09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Echevarria doesn't have a ton of film, but what he's shown has been excellent. He's long and lean, with good explosion off the ball. That makes him an intriguing player at both linebacker and off the edge. He's able to make highlight plays with his athleticism, whether that's shooting a gap in the running game, bending around an offensive tackle, or leaping to make a key deflection. We're intrigued by his upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326457"],"_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-67d43ed104edd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houston is a versatile defensive athlete, able to play multiple positions on Berry's defense. He put up 2.5 sacks as a junior, playing both off the edge and at middle linebacker. We like him best in the middle, where his range and football I.Q. are on full display. We're expecting a big year from Houston and he could find himself well inside the rankings by the time the season starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1185818"],"_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-67d43ed104fcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hall didn't rack up a ton of tackles as a junior, but he impacted the game in plenty of other ways, picking off two passes and forcing a fumble as a key reserve for the Bulls. He gets good depth on his drops in zone and is an above average defender against the pass. He's growing as a run defender, so we expect him to have a nice senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600437"],"_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-67d43ed1050a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers was a key reserve for Myers Park in 2024, backing up all three linebacker positions and playing a huge role on special teams. In 2025, he could take over as a starter, as he's waited his turn and could be a huge contributor for Myers Park this year. Rogers has good speed and an understanding of the game. That should help him put up big numbers as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303162"],"_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-67d43ed10516c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite being undersized, Posey has a great work rate and the quickness to shoot gaps and get around the edge as a pass rusher. He's extremely quick and offensive linemen have trouble squaring him up on blocks. Still, he's likely going to add weight this offseason in preparation for his senior season, which could be a great year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->