2026 LB Stock-Risers: October

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been working through the stock-risers from our new 2026 rankings update, position by position. I've already gone <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/october-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-oif-the-2026-class/">behind the scenes</a> on this update, giving fans an insight into our thinking and decisions within the rankings. Here, I'm diving into evaluations for some of our biggest stock-risers at the linebacker position. Here are our October LB stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 LB Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1751625"],"_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-68e9b60e0444d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our biggest mover at the linebacker position this cycle, Thrasher is the heartbeat of a veteran Myers Park defense. Thrasher's reactions have improved tremendously, and when he sees a lane, he's usually there to close it. He's gone from a decent player to a true star on the defensive side of the ball for a team with hopes of a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543812"],"_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-68e9b60e044b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players at any position have had the start to the year that Cartlidge has. Always a tackling machine, he's getting into the backfield quicker than ever, matching last year's tackle for loss total of 26 in just six games. He's also playing more offense as a senior, proving himself to be a talented running back as well. Cartlidge recently committed to North Carolina Central, and we think the Eagles got a future star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333099"],"_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-68e9b60e044f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mallard Creek's defense has been one of the strongest individual units in the state. Generally a young team, the Mavericks have a few key veteran leaders, and Mustafa has emerged in that role defensively. While his downhill speed isn't bad, he's at his best flowing laterally. But, when he gets a head of steam, he can get into the backfield in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671933"],"_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-68e9b60e0453f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every year, amidst all of the Power Four talent, Weddington seems to have a guy who can line up anywhere on the defense and make a big impact both inside and outside. Schauer's speed and athleticism, like a lot of the guys at that hybrid role before him, let Weddington stay in its base defense, even against three and four-receiver sets, as Schauer has no issues flexing into the slot corner role. He can fly, and he's not afraid to hit. Elon just stepped in with his first FCS offer, another green flag in his profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1321132"],"_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-68e9b60e04586"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drakeford is stuffing the stat sheet in the first half of 2025, as he leads the team in tackles, is tied for the team lead in sacks, and has an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on the year. He's athletic enough to play multiple linebacker positions, and he's excellent at filling running lanes to make stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-68e9b60e045ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Penn is getting an elite playmaker in King, a guy we feel is talented enough to not only play at the FBS level, but to make an early impact there. Our highest-rated FCS commit in the state, he can fly, and this season he's showing he's a well-rounded defender. He's leading the Cleveland defenses in tackles and sacks, while showing once again that he's one of the best linebackers in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2026 LB Stock-Risers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716197' first='Jayden' last='Summers']</strong>, Corvina Community</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892289' first='Deuce' last='Midgett']</strong>, Mallard Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671969' first='Keanen' last='Teeter']</strong>, Charlotte Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854270' first='Jonathan' last='Manson']</strong>, Franklinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904263' first='Chris' last='Wurster']</strong>, Stuart Cramer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600427' first='Lathan' last='Feemster']</strong>, Kings Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1393063' first='Robert' last='McCollum']</strong>, Dudley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expect plenty more from us on the class of 2026 as we provide content on the midseason rankings update. We'll provide new updates for stock-risers and new additions, while continuing our in-season coverage of every classification in the state.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->