New to the Rankings: 2028 LBs

We've taken our time to introduce the 2028 newcomers, but it's time to finally take a look at the linebackers. For our purposes here, these are the guys we project will be off-ball linebackers at the next level, and we've already looked at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/meet-the-new-guys-2028-edge-rushers/">2028 edge rushers</a>. We have several ranked LBs who could end up having huge high school and college careers.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Introducing the 2028 LBs</h2>    Lockwood already looks like a potentially elite off-ball linebacker, with good size and 87 tackles as a freshman. He's good in space and flashed as a blitzer, racking up seven sacks over the course of the season. He's more of a speed guy than a true enforcer in the middle right now, but his strength should grow as he gets older and bigger.     The first thing that stands out about Alston is his size, as he's probably a bit bigger than the 6'2", 195 we've listed him at. That doesn't mean he's slow, though, as his reactions and pure speed are excellent for the linebacker position. In fact, his ability to move in space is why we have him as a linebacker and not an edge rusher. Playing for Cardinal Gibbons, he didn't get a ton of snaps as a freshman, but that experience will come in time.     While it's certainly possible that Hunt grows into an every-down edge rusher, a position that he took snaps at as a freshman, we like him at his primary position off the ball, where he can have a bigger impact in the run game. He's excellent in pass coverage too, meaning he doesn't have any limitations at the linebacker position. As a freshman for Metrolina, he was everywhere, lining up off the ball, off the edge and even at defensive tackle, where even at his age, he possessed the strength to hold his own.     A true off-ball linebacker, Foley thrived early as a freshman, making plenty of tackles and picking off two passes against Piedmont. He has excellent size and the frame to continue to add weight later. Foley reads and diagnoses run plays quickly, allowing him to shoot gaps and put himself in a position to make impact plays.     Wade Wyatt Harty is a sturdy linebacker who already shows maturity on and off the field. He's a smart player who is able to diagnose plays and get into position quickly. A big hitter, Harty shows on film the ability to stonewall running backs and stop receivers in their tracks when they come across the middle. As he continues to get bigger and faster, he's certainly a young linebacker to keep an eye on.     One of the most productive two-way freshmen in the state, Mchaffey caught six touchdowns as a tight end and made over 100 tackles at linebacker. Because of his height, his upside is probably higher at linebacker, but so far, he's proved to be a matchup nightmare offensively as well. Those ball skills and ability to play in-line on offense help him to make plays in the middle on defense.     After playing sparingly early in the year, Harrigill really came on strong down the stretch with 33 tackles in October, including 6.5 for loss in just four games in that month. Harrigill flies around the field and has a knack for being around the ball. I'm interested to see how his game progresses as he grows and matures over the next few years.     [player_tooltip player_id='1616110' first='Blake' last='Pennington']'s freshman production was off the charts, as he racked up over 110 tackles for North Moore in the fall. His size and athleticism aren't bad either, making him a candidate to move up our rankings with a strong offseason. He flies to the ball and always seems to be in the right position to make a play.     Playing at a powerhouse like Hough, just seeing the field for varsity snaps as a freshman is an accomplishment. It also signals that Peterson could have the chance to fly up our rankings when he gets more film and experience. He's a bigger body who looks like an upperclassman. That should help him move up the depth chart next season.     McKenzie is a more compact linebacker, but has explosive qualities and plays bigger than his height suggests. He doesn't have a lot of film but he's quick and decisive on the film we've seen. He's an excellent blitzer, with seven sacks as a freshman and he has the ability to run down backs in the running game and fill gaps to make tackles at the line.

We've taken our time to introduce the 2028 newcomers, but it's time to finally take a look at the linebackers. For our purposes here, these are the guys we project will be off-ball linebackers at the next level, and we've already looked at the 2028 edge rushers. We have several ranked LBs who could end up having huge high school and college careers.