Metro-Atlanta Linebackers Added To Latest 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2026 linebackers were added to the latest 2026 Prep Redzone rankings...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664463"],"_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-686befac48289"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A sleeper linebacker north of Atlanta in Cherokee County, McCarty is a tough linebacker with great instincts who plays bigger than his size. He has a nose for the football and is a sure-tackler, making an impressive 100 tackles, 12 TFLs and one forced fumble last season as a junior. He's one of the top returning linebackers in the region and has a chance to light up the stat sheet as a senior. He's now ranked as the No. 64 linebacker in the state for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664519"],"_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-686befac482ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An under the radar linebacker in Atlanta who tackled everything in sight last year, Ellerman is a a versatile defender who can play both middle linebacker and safety. He brings good size, takes good angles to the ball-carrier, and knows how to wrap up properly. He was one of the more productive defenders in the region last year as he made 96 tackles last fall as a junior. He plays hard, can cover, and was an easy addition to the latest rankings update. He's now ranked as the No. 427 overall prospect in Georgia for his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664574"],"_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-686befac48339"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A hard-hitting linebacker in the area who really shined last season, McMichael brings a physical presence and consistently found his way to the ball-carrier last season. He was one of the better linebackers in the region last year as he made 87 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two sacks, and three forced recoveries. He's a natural wherever he's lined up who could have a giant senior season at both linebacker and running back this fall. He's now ranked as the No. 66 linebacker in Georgia for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669395"],"_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-686befac48380"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A hard-hitting Cobb County linebacker still flying under the radar, Matthews is a smart, physical defender who can help defend the pass while bringing an intimidating presence against the run. He plays hard, he's aggressive, and is coming off an outstanding junior season where he made 99 tackles, eight TFLs and three forced fumbles. He's one of the top returning linebackers in the area and is now ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 434 overall prospect in the state for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672723"],"_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-686befac483c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile linebacker south of Atlanta who can play on the edge or in the middle of the field. Collier brings a lengthy frame, impressive burst, and flashed easy big-play ability last fall as a junior. He wasn't able to play a ton, but when he was in there, but showed D1-caliber talent. He's extremely disruptive and showcased the ability to both stop the run and crate havoc on the quarterback. He's now ranked as the No. 436 overall prospect in the state according to Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->