Five Linebackers Moving On Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, Prep Redzone Kansas published updated rankings for the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five linebackers who moved up the rankings ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raise your hand if you have "The Jeffersons" Theme Song playing your head!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114752' first='Cal' last='Purvis'],</strong> LB, 6'3”, 230, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Purvis parlayed multiple college offers into a rise in the rankings. He is ranked No. 20 overall after previously being ranked No. 222. He has offers from the likes of Lindenwood, Arkansas State, Kent State, and Eastern Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586974' first='Rey'Zhian' last='Shears-Montgomery'],</strong> LB, 6'0”, 215, Derby, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The former Wichita East linebacker will be playing for Derby this fall. He moved up to No. 38 in the rankings from the No. 143 slot. He has the speed and frame to play inside or outside linebacker. He could also bulk up and be used as a pass rusher from the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611171' first='Jordy' last='Heim'],</strong> LB, 6'1”, 215, Washburn Rural, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washburn Rural's Heim jumped up the rankings into the No. 82 slot. He was previously ranked No. 174. He finished his junior season with 84 total tackles. He also recorded four quarterback sacks, five tackles for lost yardage, and two interceptions. He has an offer from Benedictine, and it's a solid bet he will be recruited by Washburn University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228884' first='Reece' last='Tolar'],</strong> LB, 6'4”, 200, Cheney, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tolar saw his stock take a meteoric rise. He climbed the ladder from No. 431 to No. 83 overall. &nbsp;He tallied 61 total tackles, four TFLs, two forced fumbles, and one interception for the Cardinals last season. He recently participated in a camp at TCU. &nbsp;His quickness and football instincts are his prime qualities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904450' first='Beckett' last='Linden'],</strong> LB, 5'11”, 205, Blue Valley Northwest, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linden moved into the No. 113 position in the new rankings. He was previously ranked No. 430. &nbsp;He is coming off an injury-shortened junior season. He recorded 53 tackles in six games played for the Huskies. He also added one quarterback sack and one forced fumble. &nbsp;He has an offer from Evangel and participated at the William Jewell Mega Camp this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->