2026 Under The Radar Small-Town Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These small-town 2026 linebackers are bound for massive senior seasons this year...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663765"],"_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-68925cb6c09a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A fantastic rising senior from the small town of Dublin, Adkins is an active defender who shoots the gaps and consistently finds a way to find the ball-carrier. He plays fast, he's aggressive, and is one of the top run-stuffing linebackers in the region. He's coming off a dominant junior season in 2024 where he made 102 tackles and three sacks. He's one of the more productive returning defenders in the area and should have a dominant final season in 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1677565"],"_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-68925cb6c0a12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive South Georgia linebacker who should see his ranking rise in the next 2026 Prep Redzone rankings, Fox is a sleeper defender who reacts quickly and lit up the stat sheet in 2024. The tough, physical linebacker dissects plays early on and has a knack for finding his way to the ball. He's a secure tackler and one of the top returning linebackers in the area. As a junior last fall, the Crisp County standout made 86 tackles and one INT. He was all over the field and flashes easy D1-caliber talent. He plays fast, plays hard, and should be one of the more productive linebackers in the area this fall as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1628990"],"_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-689b40c07be5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A gritty, versatile linebacker from Savannah, Beaver knows how to attack and make big plays against both the run and the pass. He brings good size at 6-foot-2 210-pounds and knows how to close quickly on the ball-carrier. He's reliable in coverage but really thrives when defending the run. He shed blocks, plays physical, and was a tackling machine last season as he made 125 tackles with one forced fumble. He had 10+ tackles in five of his final six games with a 19-tackle game in last year's final game. He's one of the top returning linebackers in the city who should dominate this upcoming season as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1629291"],"_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-689b40c07beca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A physical, sure-tackling linebacker in the Athens area, Gordon was one of the most productive linebackers in his region last year and is still flying under the radar heading into his junior season. Gordon is a quick, instinctive linebacker who reacts quickly and consistently found a way to make an impact in the backfield. He's coming off a really strong junior season in 2024 where he made 110 tackles, 14 TFLs and two sacks. He plays hard, loves to compete, and has the ability to make plays both on offense and on special teams as well. He's a playmaking defender to keep a close eye on in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634514"],"_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-689b40c07bf19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top defenders on a state-champion Toombs County team last year, Roy was a playmaking machine with a true nose for the football. He's tough, aggressive, and was one of the more consistent linebackers in the region last fall as a junior. The sure-tackling linebacker stands at 6-foot-1 200-pounds and really impressed last year as he made 68 tackles, 20 TFLs and four sacks with two more forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. He's a big-play defender hoping to lead the Bulldogs to another special season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->