Early Preview of the 2026 Class: Underrated Linebackers

With the 2024 season behind us, we would like to preview some underrated defensive players in the state's 2026 graduating class. These players have not received the full credit they deserve for the fantastic seasons that they had this previous year and should be considered top prospects in the state for the next season. We will now look at some of the most underrated linebackers set to return next season.    2026 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1262813' first='Andrew' last='Hoyt'] is an instinctually disruptive player at the position. He finished his junior season with 115 total tackles, 44 of those as solo tackles and 4 TFLs. He can sense out a play before it begins, patiently reading his keys and flying to where the ball is going. He is at his best when he is able to shoot through the gaps, firing through and dodging linemen to find the ball carrier. His strong upper body enables him to absorb and match contact when making his tackles, not allowing any extra yards for the runner. In his first full season of starting at varsity, the sky is the limit for Hoyt in his senior year campaign.      2026 Linebacker Sloan Sweet has an incredible skillset that he brings to this Seton Catholic defense. He finished with 131 total tackles, 77 of those as solo tackles, 6 TFLs, 7 INTs, and 3 pass deflections. Sweet can make an impact in any way an offense decides to attack. In the run game, he can play sideline to sideline, tackling in space and wrapping at the hips to bring ball carrier down. In the passing game, he is best in zone coverage, where he made a living dropping back and reading the quarterback's eyes to undercut their passes. Sweet is easily one of the most well-rounded linebackers in the state.      2026 Linebacker Cam Mitchell constantly tracks down his target in the open field. He is coming off a season where he had 116 total tackles, 78 of those as solo tackles, 18 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 INTs. He plays fast and twitchy, with excellent agility to move fluidly inside and outside the box. He makes a powerful impact when he goes for the tackle and has exquisite form when wrapping up at the waist. He can also cover slot receivers and running backs in man, tightly contesting their route patterns. Mitchell will undoubtedly be a must-watch player for this stacked Arizona College Prep team next season.      2026 Linebacker Tyes Graves is a big-time playmaker for his Cesar Chavez team. He capped off his year with 112 total tackles, 55 of those as solo tackles, 10 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 1 Pick sick, and 1 fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. He has a nose for being around the football and allowing his defense to put points on the board for his squad. He navigates through traffic well, avoiding linemen and using his solid agility to find his way to the ball carrier. He wraps up at his opponent's knees, stopping any further advance from the ball carrier in their tracks. Graves is one exciting linebacker to watch as he is primed for a spectacular senior season.      Someone who brings just an overall tough demeanor to the football field is 2026 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1682253' first='RJ' last='Jackson']. He had 99 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in his junior year campaign. He embraces contact and meeting people at the point of attack, shedding blockers and powering through runners. He has some surreal acceleration once he gets downhill, as he dashes into the backfield in the blink of an eye. He brings the heat when he makes his tackles, firing through his upper body and smashing into the ball carrier. Expect Jackson to be even more productive in his final senior season for this Queen Creek defense.      2026 Linebacker Dominick Drow is a tackling machine at the middle linebacker position. He topped off a stellar junior year with 103 total tackles, 68 of those as solo tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. Drow made a living by shooting his way through a gap unscathed and playing in the backfield. He displayed nice open-field agility and good flexibility to wrap up his opponents in all sorts of angles to get them on the ground. He does a remarkable job firing through with his hips and lower body to run through the ball carrier as he slams them to the ground. After putting up magnificent numbers, look out for Drow to be an even bigger difference-maker for his team in his senior season.

With the 2024 season behind us, we would like to preview some underrated defensive players in the state's 2026 graduating class. These players have not received the full credit they deserve for the fantastic seasons that they had this previous year and should be considered top prospects in the state for the next season. We will now look at some of the most underrated linebackers set to return next season.