2028 Linebacker Newcomers: Winter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We released our updated <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 class rankings</a> last Monday, which included 58 newcomers from the sophomore class, pushing our total ranked players in the 2028 class to 281. I looked at some of the numbers driving the update in my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-update-january/">Behind the Scenes</a> piece, then wrote <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/3-things-to-know-about-the-2028-class/">three things to know</a> about the class as a whole. Now, it's one of my favorite pieces, the newcomers. Here, we're evaluating every new linebacker in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: If you haven't looked at our piece highlighting the 2028 stock-risers at the linebacker position, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/winter-stock-risers-2028-linebackers/">check it out</a>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newly-Ranked 2028 Linebackers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2077458"],"_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-69837c27784b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith worked his way up from JV to varsity as a freshman, then became a tackling machine as a sophomore for the 6A runners-up. Especially when teams tried to pound the rock against the Mustangs, Smith was everywhere. Against run-heavy Sanderson and Jacksonville, he racked up a combined 27 tackles. He wasn't as flashy as some of his Middle Creek teammates, but he makes few mistakes and always seems to be in the right position to make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2113132"],"_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-69837c2778537"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are very few middle linebackers that teams feel comfortable putting on an island in the slot, or even out wide, but Clyburn frequently played man coverage against receivers. He usually got the better of them, too, and those coverage skills have us excited about his potential. He was at the center of an opportunistic West Iredell defense last year, scoring three defensive touchdowns, securing three sacks, and racking up 12 tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2110736"],"_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-69837c2778597"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McNeely was one of the most productive linebacker-edge tweeners in the state last year, thriving at the 8A level against much bigger offensive linemen. He's a force off the edge and has one of the better shoulder dips in the state. But while he's known for getting after the quarterback, he flashed in coverage, especially late in the season, and he's a developing run defender, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074876"],"_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-69837c27785f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112653"],"_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-69837c277864a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A multi-sport star for Chatham Central, Williams contributed everywhere in 2025, finishing second on the Bears in receiving and racking up 100 tackles. Williams is a bit undersized, but he plays bigger and has a relentless motor. He has the frame to add plenty of good weight this offseason, and we think that will help him as a true college prospect. The early returns are enticing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104147"],"_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-69837c27786a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Terukina almost looks like an edge rusher on film, and we wouldn't be surprised if he naturally put on a bit more weight in the coming years. He's an old-school thumper who makes sure the offense feels his presence on every tackle. He can get downhill in a hurry and frequently shoots gaps to make big plays. Dixon's defense struggled at times this season, but Terukina looks like a star in the making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2043746"],"_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-69837c27786fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lacroix played an outside linebacker role in Butler's 3-4 defensive scheme, and despite his size, he was highly effective in the box for the Bulldogs. While we could see him eventually moving to a box safety role (his coverage skills are excellent, and he has a great feel against the run), he impressed as a sophomore linebacker. I'm interested to see how he progresses in the weight room, and think he's a future star, regardless of which position he ultimately plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2059993"],"_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-69837c2778756"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Metayer-Allaria has great instincts as a middle linebacker, especially when he's able to move downhill towards the line of scrimmage. He's a sure tackler who wraps up and doesn't allow many yards after contact. Despite being a bit undersized, he's not afraid to work through the trash inside against bigger offensive lines, and his coverage skills make him a well-rounded linebacker prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2028 rankings over the next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->