3A/4A LBs To Know

As we approach the season, realignment is at the top of my mind. For the first time, North Carolina is going to an 8A system, which will further stratify the schools. So, over the next couple of months, I'm going through classifications to highlight the players fans will need to know.   You can find the other positions for the 3A/4A schools below. After hitting the defensive line last week, I'm looking at the linebackers at 3A/4A schools. There are plenty of talented off-ball backers at this level. Here are a few 3A/4A LBs to know.   Other 3A/4A Positions:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-qbs-to-know/">QBs</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-rbs-to-know/">RBs</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-wrs-to-know/">WRs</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-3a-4a-tes-to-know/">TEs (Combined with 1A/2A)</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-ol-to-know/">OL</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-idls-to-know/">IDLs</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-edge-rushers-to-know/">Edge Rushers</a></li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A/4A LBs</h2>    One of the top prospects in the state regardless of class and position, Mayfield has put on serious weight in the last year and now looks more like you're prototypical MIKE backer after playing as more of a box safety as a freshman. The key is that he hasn't lost any speed or acceleration, and it's easy to tell on film just how much faster he is than the opposition. He often makes it look like opponents are in slow-motion while he reads and reacts to beat offensive players to a spot and make huge plays.     One of my favorite linebackers in the state, regardless of age or classification, Kieffer is a guy who could have a huge junior season. Despite being a bit undersized, he's able to avoid blockers and pick his way through traffic to make plays and that helped him end up among the state leaders in tackles last season.     Mallory has great size, but he can really move, making him a menace at the 3A level. He's explosive enough to shoot gaps and big enough to take on blockers while still getting in on the tackle. He's among the state's leading tacklers, often because he's seemingly always there to clean up as the second guy, and when he's the first guy there, he doesn't usually miss.     Cartlidge mans the middle of the Walkertwon defense, but his impact is sideline-to-sideline. He can get anywhere on the field in a hurry, making plays in the backfield, on either sideline, and down the field from behind, if need be. He has great speed and size and he's grown a good bit since we first ranked him.     Harmon has flown under the radar, but he's a guy who can make all the plays and excels both off the edge and off the ball. He's physical, always seeking contact, whether it's to make a tackle or to blow up a blocker, whatever it takes to help the defense. He's at his best moving downhill and I think he's a guy we could see make some waves if he can take that next step in pass coverage.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 3A/4A LBs To Know</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1704843' first='Loyalty' last='Fuller'], Ayden-Grifton   [player_tooltip player_id='1600483' first='Lorquis' last='Lilly'], North Stanly   [player_tooltip player_id='1704820' first='Cameron' last='Hall'], Farmville Central   [player_tooltip player_id='951250' first='Caleb' last='Foley'], West Stanly   [player_tooltip player_id='1678647' first='Owen' last='Smith'], South Rowan   [player_tooltip player_id='1429539' first='Cooper' last='Moore'], West Davidson   [player_tooltip player_id='1396354' first='Bralyn' last='Pyles'], Wilkes Central   Want to send this to someone who doesn't subscribe? Promo code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

As we approach the season, realignment is at the top of my mind. For the first time, North Carolina is going to an 8A system, which will further stratify the schools. So, over the next couple of months, I'm going through classifications to highlight the players fans will need to know.