Deep Dive: Top Johnston/Harnett County LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After pausing for a month for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 rankings updates, it's time to jump back into our county-by-county deep dives, highlighting the best players from across the Raleigh-Durham area. We're on the defensive side of the ball now and I'm looking at the top linebackers in Johnston/Harnett County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Past Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-qbs/">Quarterbacks</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-rbs/">Running Backs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-wrs/">Wide Receivers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-ol/">Offensive Line</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-idls/">Interior Defensive Line</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-edge-rushers/">Edge Rushers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 LBs in Johnston/Harnett County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600424"],"_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-686c2fe52a34a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King is one of the most athletic linebackers we've tracked in this cycle and he had a breakout offseason after a strong junior campaign. He can move sideline-to-sideline or get downhill to impact ball carriers. He had 88 tackles, including 23 for loss and nine sacks last season, flashing as a blitzer and in pass coverage. This year, he looks even better, so don't be surprised if he puts up another fantastic season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1521147"],"_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-686c2fe52a3cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shaw missed some time last year after a strong non-conference start on both sides of the ball, but he's back and he's looked great in off-season camps. He's a bigger linebacker who can still get sideline-to-sideline and delivers a thump when he gets to ball carriers. Shaw is a candidate to have a breakout season, as his talent exceeds the stats he's put up in the past.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1698658"],"_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-686c2fe52a431"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lowe was a tackling machine last season, racking up just over 100 tackles as a junior. He was also opportunistic and played well in coverage, intercepting a pass, deflecting seven, and recovering two fumbles. Lowe came out of nowhere last year to be one of the best players on a talented defense, but he's on everyone's radar now, and is the leader of a veteran unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1647668"],"_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-686c2fe52a491"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fulton put up excellent numbers last season and has put in the weight room work needed to take his game to the next level in 2025. While he plays some as an edge, he's at his best off the ball, where he can read and react to what the offense is doing. He has great closing speed and he has the ability to disrupt opponents and cause plenty of havoc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665959"],"_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-686c2fe52a4f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A transfer from American Leadership Academy, Givens is a high-upside candidate, given his athleticism. He can come downhill and make stops, or drop back in coverage. I'm interested to see how he's used in 2025 in a new system with Clayton, but he has some time to develop before college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->