2028 Prospect Watch: Rounding Out the LBs

We're well into the offseason, and we're keeping things going ahead of spring workouts and summer practices. In a new series that will run concurrently with some of our other cornerstone content, like <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/deep-dive-union-county-wide-receivers/">county-by-county Deep Dives</a> (Matt Morrow is hitting the Charlotte area while I take the area around RDU) we're looking at what some of our 2028 players (both ranked and unranked) did as freshmen.   We have more linebackers in our 2028 rankings than any other position, so here's part three of three. Monday, I looked at LBs at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/2028-prospect-watch-small-school-lbs-to-know/">small schools around the state</a>. Tuesday, I hit the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/2028-prospect-watch-charlotte-area-lbs/">Charlotte area linebackers</a>. Here, I'm rounding out the position group and writing about the remaining guys.    Alston isn't your typical freshman linebacker, especially from a physical perspective. He already has college size and was able to crack the rotation on a very good Cardinal Gibbons team last season. Alston can really move and while he's never going to be an elite sideline-to-sideline presence, he's already a force in the running game. He has more than enough burst to protect against the pass and get to ball carriers.     Harty spent most of the year thriving on the junior varsity team, but made it up for a few games to the varsity level. As he continues to grow, he's adding more speed and quickness to his game to go along with a willingness to make plays between the tackles. He's already trusted to adjust his defense pre-snap and that I.Q. is going to impress college coaches.     Earnest played a lot as a blitzer off the edge last season, but as he gets bigger and stronger, we expect him to play a more consistent off-ball role. He has great potential thanks to his movement skills and play strength. He also plays center, and while he's not expected to stay at that position forever, it's a testament to his power and football I.Q.     A two-way player for Franklin on varsity as a freshman, Young was most productive as a talented middle linebacker. He has great size and is a sure tackler, giving him a leg up on the defensive side of the ball. He's also a talented running back and we expect him to continue playing there as well. But make no mistake, he has great potential as a linebacker. He's also a standout wrestler, finished seventh in the state as a freshman.     More of a standup edge rusher than a true off-ball linebacker, Jones is a guy we've only seen in a combine setting. We're hoping to get eyes on him as a sophomore because he has potential due to his size, speed, and bend.    Want to make sure you're on our radar or raise your stock? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1488/register/combine-series-north-carolina">2025 Spring Combine</a> at Clayton High School on May 4. Use offer code ‘HelmsCombine25′ to get $10 off your registration. Prep Redzone and college scouts will be in attendance to evaluate prospects as they go through combine drills, position work, and 1-on-1s.

We're well into the offseason, and we're keeping things going ahead of spring workouts and summer practices. In a new series that will run concurrently with some of our other cornerstone content, like county-by-county Deep Dives (Matt Morrow is hitting the Charlotte area while I take the area around RDU) we're looking at what some of our 2028 players (both ranked and unranked) did as freshmen.