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Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers

Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers
Will Helms
Will Helms December 27, 2025 @ 12:37 PM
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In this article:

Robert McCollum
Robert McCollum 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB/RB | 2026
NC
Brandon Creech
Brandon Creech 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB | 2026
NC
Jaylen Starks
Jaylen Starks 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB | 2026
NC
Jackson Bordelon
Jackson Bordelon 6'0" | 214 lbs | LB/RB | 2026
NC
Dontario Austin
Dontario Austin 5'10" | 225 lbs | LB | 2026
NC
Ryder Kilgannon
Ryder Kilgannon 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB | 2026
NC
Cohen Kilgannon
Cohen Kilgannon 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB | 2026
NC
Luke Faulkner
Luke Faulkner 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB/RB | 2026
NC
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're about to put a bow on the 2026 class as we drop our final rankings on Monday, but before we do, I wanted to take a few days to break down some of the best seniors at each position who are still uncommitted. Hopefully, these guys will find homes because they're talented enough to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Uncommitted LBs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["736967"],"_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-6950277faef45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Kilgannon twins are two of the most underrated players in the state, regardless of position. Part of a trio of impressive uncommitted Charlotte Christian linebackers, Cohen has college size and speed, able to fit gaps in the running game. Always a tackling machine, Kilgannon flashed coverage upside down the stretch, answering one of the final questions in his profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["803792"],"_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-6950277faefb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A bit leaner, Ryder is more of a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with the ability to get outside and cover the flats. He has great closing speed, and we feel he's an FCS linebacker, even if the offers don't yet reflect that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169874"],"_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-6950277faf007"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like several of Sun Valley's top players, Creech is also a standout on the rugby pitch, and that bodes well for his college football potential. His 40 time is just okay, but his game speed is unreal, something that is clearly more important for a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He's an explosive athlete, and he's become more decisive with his run fits in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1393063"],"_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-6950277faf056"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most productive two-way players in the state, it's incredible that McCollum doesn't have more recruiting interest. He put up nearly 150 tackles and over 800 yards rushing on offense. He's one of the faster linebackers in the state, and he showed that this season with a 99-yard touchdown run from the shadow of his own endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["849693"],"_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-6950277faf0ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An old-school thumper, Austin lives around the football. He's finally starting to see some movement on the recruiting trail with a recent offer from Livingstone. When he hits players, they feel it, and he's a big-play defender, forcing five fumbles and picking off four passes in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Uncommitted LBs to Know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 LB class is loaded and underrecruited. All of these guys have FCS grades from us at Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205617' first='Luke' last='Faulkner']</strong>, Southern Nash</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1129856' first='Jackson' last='Bordelon']</strong>, Fuquay-Varina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153173' first='Jaylen' last='Starks']</strong>, Hillside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Prep Redzone NC doesn't break for the offseason! Follow along for coverage of not only the 2026 class, but also the younger players across the state.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

We're about to put a bow on the 2026 class as we drop our final rankings on Monday, but before we do, I wanted to take a few days to break down some of the best seniors at each position who are still uncommitted. Hopefully, these guys will find homes because they're talented enough to play at the next level.

Cohen Kilgannon

Cohen Kilgannon

NC
LB
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 225
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Cohen
Kilgannon LB
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
225
HS
Charlotte Christian
|
NC
Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers
The Kilgannon twins are two of the most underrated players in the state, regardless of position. Part of...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Cohen Kilgannon

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Charlotte Christian
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Ryder Kilgannon

Ryder Kilgannon

NC
LB
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 215
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Ryder
Kilgannon LB
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
215
HS
Charlotte Christian
|
NC
Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers
A bit leaner, Ryder is more of a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with the ability to get outside and cover...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Ryder Kilgannon

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Charlotte Christian
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Brandon Creech

Brandon Creech

NC
LB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 225
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Brandon
Creech LB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
225
HS
Sun Valley
|
NC
Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers
Like several of Sun Valley’s top players, Creech is also a standout on the rugby pitch, and that...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Brandon Creech

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Sun Valley
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Robert McCollum

Robert McCollum

NC
LB/RB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 215
POS LB/RB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Robert
McCollum LB/RB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
215
HS
Dudley
|
NC
Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers
One of the most productive two-way players in the state, it’s incredible that McCollum doesn’t have more recruiting...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Robert McCollum

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Dudley
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Dontario Austin

Dontario Austin

NC
LB
HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 225
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Dontario
Austin LB
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
Weight
225
HS
Trinity Christian
|
NC
Top Uncommitted 2026 Linebackers
An old-school thumper, Austin lives around the football. He’s finally starting to see some movement on the recruiting...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Dontario Austin

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Trinity Christian
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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