PRZIA ’26 Rankings Update: Linebacker Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/przia-26-rankings-update/">Athlete Breakdown</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/przia-26-rankings-update-d-line-edge-breakdown/">D-Line Breakdown</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/przia-26-rankings-update-wide-receiver-breakdown/">WR Breakdown</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=LB">2026 instate linebacker class</a> is talented at the top with a deep pool of student-athletes throughout. No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] reports scholarship offers from Arizona, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. He's a gem. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='856075' first='DreShaun' last='Ross'] turned aside football offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Purdue and Wisconsin for an Oklahoma State wrestling commitment. That's a special athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are brand new scouting reports on select members in the rankings: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238514"],"_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-67c4b956ec8c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I remember taking notice of Thomas when he was making plays as a freshman in the state semifinals. He's worked hard on improving, and it's resulted in him having wonderful opportunities for the next level. Those programs see a difference maker, which Thomas clearly illustrates during his junior highlight videos on <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681877/674f5c1f9f1c830df811d3fd">offense</a> and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681877/674d5698f944d22bcd5530c9">defense</a>. An all-stater, Thomas ranks as one of the state's best running backs AND linebackers. Colleges like him on defense, and that makes a lot of sense with his motor, athleticism and explosiveness. Thomas is averaging a team-best 6.8 rebounds to go with 9.0 points per game for the Crusader basketball team this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370736"],"_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-67c4bd51b0430"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hardy is a linear linebacker that covers a lot of ground. He boasts the athleticism and versatility to move around the formation. He looks comfortable lining up at middle linebacker or coming off of the edge. Hardy shines on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17827493/675769f11a5267f966855ede">junior highlight video</a>, running down the ball from sideline to sideline and proving difficult to block. His 42.5 tackles (29 solo, 11.5 TFL) and 2.0 sacks heped the Warriors reach the state semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Wahlert, 17-16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1354767"],"_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-67c4bd51b0489"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">History is filled with small-school prospects advancing to the next level. Good players are everywhere. Doggett certainly fits the description of a 2A talent college coaches should have their eyes on. He's set to camp at North Dakota and more invitations should be on the way. Doggett's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18018906/673bc24d876132766b231564">junior highlight video</a> shows a an active linebacker capable of quickly diagnosing plays. He closes on the football and finishes plays. He could fit at safety at the next level has he runs well and looks fluid in coverage. He registered 70.5 tackles and scored seven touchdowns in helping his team reach the state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241518"],"_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-67c4cfd304a96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weisskopf contributed 30.5 tackles (21 solo, 8.5 TFL) and a fumble recovery. When you pop on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14945549/67323d4f2e3139b82a30b2a9">junior highlight video</a>, a high-motor, aggressive performer is what jumps out. Weisskopf lines up with his hand in the dirt, making up for being undersized by using strength and leverage. Explosion off of the snap and quickness in tight space also aid his success. The clips showing him lining up at middle linebacker reveal a sideline-to-sideline defender that's a sure-handed tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268222"],"_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-67c4cfd304aec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A physical presence, James stands out in a big way during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18084692/673a1cd22c21fb2e4167ba3b">junior highlight video</a>. He looks prepared with pre-snap diagnosis and then flows well to the football. His motor runs fast and he closes quickly in space. He appears comfortable in the clips that have him in coverage but his strength is definitely stopping the run. He totaled 72.0 tackles (56 solo, 14.5 TFL) and 2.5 sacks with two interceptions last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238495"],"_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-67c4cfd304b34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Montgomery is an intriguing prospect that some college coaches might prefer on offense. He returned a kick 60 yards, rushed for a touchdown and caught a score last season. His athleticism and skill set might work best on defense, however, where he totaled 24.0 tackles (16 solo, 6.5 TFL) and 4.5 sacks. When watching Montgomery's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17773241/67200dceda13d98171ae9a05">junior highlight video</a>, we notice a well-rounded football player that contributes to his team's cause all over the field. He's physical and fast with solid fundamentals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->