2026 Final Rankings Newcomers: Top Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong>PaulG30 </strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1614104"],"_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-6931f5a99ba4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top linebackers in the state, the Timberline product came onto the scene after his junior season and is one of the more athletic and fluid linebackers across Idaho. He is a smooth mover, can quickly knife into the backfield and make plays behind the line, shows closing speed and open field tackling abilities and is a high motor and violent player. At the next level, he should fit nicely in as a inside linebacker with plus cover abilities and be a multi-year guy in the Big Sky. O'Kelley had one offer and signed with the hometown Vandals and is a very nice get for the local school. He was severely under-recruited through out his prep career and checks into our final 2026 rankings update as the number two player at his position across the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895470"],"_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-6931f5a99bac6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Layton enters into our rankings as a new addition linebacker and one of the more active guys at his position in the state. He is a fluid mover on the outside, shows he can come-up and pass rush off the edge with quick hands and natural bend while showing a high motor and always around the ball. He is a elite tackler that can knife into the backfield and apply pressure from various angles while closing quickly and a true sideline to sideline guy. Also showing fluid hips in transition/coverage he is a plus athlete with the position that will only continue to grow and develop and has the starting tools/high football acumen to be successful at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895468"],"_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-6931f5a99bb22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bates is a hard nosed runner and two-way player that should find his home at the linebacker position in college and has been under-recruited up to this point. He is a very fast and athletic kid that triggers quickly, plays violent and packs a punch at the POA while always around the football. He shows he can track down ball carriers backside, win with leverage and power when getting off blocks inside and has a knack for quickly knifing into the backfield to make negative plays behind the line. Overall, a very high energy and elite level player that will quickly help a next level team, his commitment and next level plans will be one to note moving forward as he is one of the best available at his position as we near to the second and final national signing day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1742975"],"_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-6931f5a99bb71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boyd is one of the better hybrid safety/linebacker prospects across Idaho and is a very athletic and fluid athlete in space that excels on the perimeter and is smooth in coverage with natural ball skills and great return abilities. He is a high IQ player on the outside that can come up and set the edge, get off open field blocks and fits nicely when dropping into the box. He has been very under-recruited and is going to make a immediate impact at the D3+ level in college and checks into our final updated rankings as one of the top linebackers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895442"],"_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-6931f5a99bbbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dahlin is a hard hitter from the second level and a true tackle to tackle plug that excels in the run game and was one of the better players across the region this fall. He is a stout inside guy with good strength and power at the POA and can get off blocks, scrape well over the top and come up to set the edge without losing ground and stringing out ball carriers before pulling the trigger. Also a very productive pass rusher and edge rusher, he can play a variety of positions on defense and be used in multiple ways due to his diverse skillset and size/range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->