Top NCISAA LBs To Know

I recently finished a series on some of the top players in the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/3a-4a-dbs-to-know/">lower classifications</a>, but amidst that series and our NCHSAA conference previews, we haven't had much coverage of other associations, namely the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA).   Here, I'm going position-by-position to give readers an idea of which private school players to keep an eye out for this season. We started earlier this week on the defensive side of the ball, so let's continue by looking at the second level of the defense. Here are five NCISAA LBs to know.   Other NCISAA Position Groups   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/ncisaa-qbs-to-know/">Quarterbacks</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/ncisaa-rbs-to-know/">Running Backs</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/ncisaa-wrs-to-know/">Wide Receivers</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/top-ncisaa-ol-to-know/">Offensive Line</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Interior Defensive Linemen</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Edge Rushers</li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCISAA LBs</h2>    One of the top uncommitted prospects in our 2026 rankings, Kilgannon hasn't gotten the traction on the recruiting trail that he deserves. But, his athletic upside is immense and he's growing as a true linebacker after playing a lot of offense early in his career. He's up over 220 pounds and can really move, especially laterally, giving him real sideline-to-sideline potential.     It seems like a lot of high-academic teams are flirting with the idea of offering Kilgannon and I'd go ahead and pull the trigger if I were one of them. We have him ranked more in the Group of Five range than even the FCS range, so teams would be silly not to jump on the bandwagon. He plays both edge and linebacker and has great bend. I think he ends up off the ball in college, but his ability to rush the passer can't be ignored.     Austin has had a historic career for Trinity Christian as a three-year starter, racking up well over 300 tackles for the Crusaders. He's everywhere on the field, living sideline-to-sideline and winning as a blitzer as well. Austin has progressed in pass coverage and has some excellent upside as a balanced linebacker who can win in coverage, as a pass rusher, and against the run.     McCray has been a scouting favorite of ours for a while, but we haven't written about him since he committed to Richmond. The best part of his game is that he's never out of control. He can fire off and break downhill in a hurry, but he rarely overcommits or takes bad angles. He's a sideline-to-sideline player who makes plenty of tackles while running toward the line of scrimmage, something we can't say about every linebacker we scout.     Stevens transferred into Christ School with the new coaching staff and we've been told fantastic things about the huge linebacker. He can play multiple positions off the ball, but he's at his best when he's manning the middle and reading the offense. He dominated at our Prep Redzone Virginia Combine and he's in prime position to be an FBS prospect    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other NCISAA LBs To Know</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1321142' first='Jack' last='Gullickson'], Charlotte Christian   [player_tooltip player_id='403556' first='Jacob' last='Simmons'], Charlotte Christian   [player_tooltip player_id='1321323' first='Matthew' last='Hankins'], Providence Day   [player_tooltip player_id='223038' first='Justin' last='Abanquah'], Providence Day   [player_tooltip player_id='1321326' first='Jace' last='Goodwin'], Providence Day   [player_tooltip player_id='1607761' first='Bobby' last='Wakefield'], Country Day

I recently finished a series on some of the top players in the lower classifications, but amidst that series and our NCHSAA conference previews, we haven't had much coverage of other associations, namely the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA).