Top 2026 LB to Watch This Spring: North Louisiana

As college coaches hit the road for spring evaluations, North Louisiana's 2026 linebacker class demands serious attention with its blend of size, athleticism and football IQ. Here's a breakdown of the top linebacker prospects in the region that should be on every recruiting board heading into the crucial summer camp circuit.    White is a DC dream in the middle, processing plays with elite vision and attacking gaps before running backs can even reach them. His 188 tackles and 18 TFLs last season showcase the instinctive playmaking that jumps off his film. Xzavier's stock is soaring with three offers in the past week alone, including Central Arkansas jumping into the mix for the hard-hitting linebacker.     Drake attacks off the edge with speed that disrupts plays before they develop. The two-way player brings bad intentions, whether rushing passers or tracking ball carriers. He's great at spying the QB shutting down scramblers and picking off check-downs through smart positioning.     Savage anchors the middle with a powerful frame that can hold ground and cause offensive linemen to struggle to displace him at the point of attack. He shows surprising range and letteral speed to finish tackles in space.     Gardner attacks downhill with purpose, consistently making stops at the line or behind it. His closing speed jumps off film when pursuing ball carriers to the boundary. His 7v7 work this offseason showed improved coverage skills that will make him a true three-down defender at the next level.     Another two-way standout, Lee is very agile for his frame. His versatility and strength allows him to play up close to the line and take on blockers right at the point of attack or slide out and cover slot receivers.     Turner does a good job of being patient and sifting through blockers but has a burst of speed that meets ball carriers in a hurry.     Martin is aggravating for offenses. Although he's undersized in the middle, Hunter plays tough and smart and wins the stop.     At 6'2" and 240lbs, Burch has an impressive frame that he carries with surprising fluidity. He comes down hill and delivers punishing hits. His massive frame also gives him the flexibility to put is hand in the dirt, adding another level to his game.

As college coaches hit the road for spring evaluations, North Louisiana's 2026 linebacker class demands serious attention with its blend of size, athleticism and football IQ. Here's a breakdown of the top linebacker prospects in the region that should be on every recruiting board heading into the crucial summer camp circuit.