The Next Wave: Scouting the 2026 class -Film Review Pt. 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the latest installment of THE NEXT WAVE featuring prospects in the Maryland/D.C./Delaware 2026 recruiting class. Today, we take a look at five linebackers who are currently ranked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611728"],"_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-6804fe97583a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matt Sampson is a fast, instinctive, and versatile linebacker with a nose for the ball and natural zone coverage skills. He plays fast, diagnoses quickly, and contributes in both run and pass defense. His highlights show a couple of plays where he forces a couple of fumbles, showing he can make impact plays. Sampson shows good awareness and comfort in zone drops. He gets depth, reads the quarterback's eyes, and closes quickly after the throw. Sampson's highlights also show that Sampson has a good pursuit motor. There are a few plays where he's running from 8-10 yards away to help bring a ball carrier down. Sampson reacts quickly, whether he's diagnosing a run or pass play. From a recruiting standpoint, Sampson is undersized for a linebacker. Would like to see more evidence of him in man-to-man coverage before evaluating him thoroughly as a pass defender. I see him as a hybrid safety/linebacker at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611719"],"_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-6804fe97583ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jacob Gall is a smart, high-effort linebacker with a knack for finding the football in run defense. When left unblocked, he shows a good burst and makes plays in the backfield. Many of his highlights show Gall has a good feel for scraping over the top and doesn't get lost when plays break down inside. I like the effort he gives as well; he never gives up on plays and often assists on tackles. Gall has a solid understanding of blocking schemes and where he fits in the run defense. He maintains pursuit lanes and keeps vision on the ball carrier. If he intends to stay at the linebacker position at the next level, he'll need to bulk up and get quicker laterally. Gall has a senior season coming up, meaning another opportunity to put more on tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611694"],"_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-6804fe9758446"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kai Jones is a high-motor, assignment-sound linebacker who plays with great effort and intelligence. His highlights show him containing mobile quarterbacks, tracking plays across the field, and making consistent tackles. Chasing down plays from sideline to sideline isn't a problem for Jones. He makes a lot of hustle plays downfield, which shows good range and motor. Jones wraps up and finishes tacklers in the box or on the edge. He does a nice job of diagnosing A-gap runs and fills appropriately. Jones could work on getting more explosive out of his stance. His instincts, range, and hustle would make him a strong contributor in a scheme emphasizing flow and pursuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1314873"],"_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-6804fe975848a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1314873' first='Drew' last='Sani'] is a fast, physical, attacking linebacker who thrives while playing downhill. His burst and instincts make him a backfield disruptor. His highlights show he wastes no time getting downhill once he recognizes it's a run play. Sani times blitzes and gap-shooting well, especially on interior runs. He has a quick first step and shows solid closing speed toward the ball carrier. Sani is also an aggressive tackler who plays through contact. He wraps up and gives out punishment when he hits (as shown by the forced fumbles in his highlights). Sani isn't afraid to take on linemen and sheds blocks quickly. While his coverage skills remain mostly untested (no clips of him handling man-to-man coverage), his run-stopping ability makes him a strong fit for an attacking defensive scheme that lets linebackers be aggressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607598"],"_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-6804fe97584cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1607598' first='Joey' last='Scheffers'] is a classic downhill middle linebacker who excels in the box. His physicality, discipline, and technique make him a reliable run-stopper. Scheffers' highlights show him consistently filing run lanes and making tackles near the line of scrimmage. He also shows excellent instincts when diagnosing inside runs and often meets the runner in the gap. Scheffers is also physical at the point of attack, frequently engaging and shedding blockers quickly. He's a fundamentally sound tackler who wraps up, stays low, and finishes through contact. Scheffers takes disciplined pursuit angles, which minimize cutback opportunities. His hustle and motor skills are also strengths. Scheffers is the type of player who sets the tone defensively with physical play and effort. There's a limited sample size of him in pass coverage, so that's something he'll have to be able to show should he go to any prospect camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PRZ LINKS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other articles to read</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/marylands-class-of-2027-in-depth-analysis-of-the-top-5/">Maryland's Class of 2027: In-Depth Analysis of the Top 5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/evaluating-the-ranked-2026-md-linebackers-in-the-top-10/">Evaluating the ranked 2026 MD linebackers in the Top 10</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/wcac-ranked-as-a-top-10-toughest-high-school-football-leagues/">WCAC ranked as a Top 10 toughest high school football league</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/scouting-the-maryland-2027-class-running-backs/">&nbsp;Scouting the Maryland 2027 class: Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/scouting-marylands-2027-class-wide-receivers/">Scouting Maryland's 2027 class: Wide Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/scouting-marylands-2026-class-defensive-backs/">Scouting Maryland's 2026 Class: Defensive Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/evaluating-the-ranked-prospects-maryland-2028-defensive-players/"><strong>Evaluating the ranked prospects: Maryland 2028 defensive players</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/marylands-2028-defensive-backs-top-10-evals/"><strong>Maryland's 2028 Defensive Backs: Top 10 Evals</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-next-wave-scouting-the-2026-class-film-review-pt-3-2/"><strong>The Next Wave: Scouting the 2026 class: Film Review Pt. 3</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-next-wave-scouting-the-2026-class-film-review-pt-4/"><strong>The Next Wave: Scouting the 2026 class: Film Review Pt. 4</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-next-wave-scouting-the-2026-class-film-review-pt-5/">The Next Wave: Scouting the 2026 class - Film Review Pt. 5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->