2028 LB Report: Stock-Risers, New Additions, and More

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're continuing our coverage of the 2028 spring rankings update by moving onto the linebackers. It's a small, but mighty group and here we're breaking it all down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which linebackers joined the rankings, moved up, or hit our radar for the first time? Find out in our 2028 LB stock-risers and new additions piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 LB Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["950969"],"_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-684c87a4a92ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Peterson was the fastest-rising prospect in this update, moving from the mid-70s to seventh. Since we posted rankings, other people have apparently noticed as he's reportedly received an offer from Alabama. Peterson has great athleticism and it's impressive that he was able to play as a freshman for Hough, racking up 20 tackles and a fumble recovery for the Huskies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1044292"],"_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-684c87a4a936f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players have had a better offseason than Alston, who moves up on our rankings amidst a flurry of recruiting activity. Alston has gone from a guy with FBS potential to one of the hottest 2028 linebackers on the recruiting trail. It's easy to see why, he's big, strong, fast, and well-coached. I'm excited to see what he can do over the next three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1046790"],"_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-684c87a4a93fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lot has changed for Hunt this offseason as he's transferred from Metrolina to Hough and is likely to play a bit more outside linebacker than he has in the past. He's a guy who could grow into an edge as he possesses a lot of the technical skills to excel there. But he moves well in space and has a versatility that can allow him to stay on the field in a variety of situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2028 LB New Additions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1421089"],"_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-684c87a4a946c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way player for Franklin, Young makes his way into the rankings after a strong freshman campaign. He plays fullback on offense and had some decent runs, but there's no doubt that his future is at linebacker. He racked up over 60 tackles last season and has a great motor. If he adds a bit more weight, he's definitely a guy to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["866141"],"_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-684c87a4a94cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Puckett didn't just sneak into our rankings, he flew into the top 50. We were told of his talent from Al Pops at Prep Redzone Next, but didn't have him in the rankings after he spent most of his freshman year on the junior varsity squad. But, Puckett had a fantastic outing at the Gardner Webb Megacamp and has recently earned his first FBS offer from Troy. He's a guy who has the talent to have a big sophomore year, if he can get the playing time on a deep Hough team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2028 LBs to Know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616142' first='Lej'end' last='Lockwood'], </strong>Butler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='951250' first='Caleb' last='Foley']</strong>, West Stanly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wyatt Wade Hardy</strong>, Parkwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616161' first='Grady' last='Mahaffey']</strong>, Lejeune</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->