2029 Thumping Tacklers : 12 Early LBs to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2029 Watch List has debuted with 125 freshmen prospects to know early on in West Virginia. Plenty more athletes will emerge and make their names known in the future, but here are the top LB names on our radar after their freshmen seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716501"],"_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-698274e5705b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moorefield has another freshman making his presence felt early in 2029 ATH/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1716501' first='Matthew' last='Iman'], the early top linebacker prospect in the class. Iman brings an impressive early frame and athletic profile that gives the Yellow Jackets plenty of flexibility in how he's deployed, but his long-term outlook points strongly toward linebacker as he continues to develop. He plays with confidence and physicality for his age and has already shown he can handle multiple responsibilities on the field. With his size, versatility, and upside, Iman is a must-know name in the 2029 class and a prospect with a very high ceiling moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26855507/69531e2f4a2d85d7fe0ddddb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e57090b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2079510"],"_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-698274e570970"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the early top LB prospects in the 2029 class is Oak Glen's [player_tooltip player_id='2079510' first='Jacob' last='Everett'], who had a standout freshman season for the Golden Bears in 2025. He got it done on both sides of the ball and is likely to emerge as their top option in the backfield on offense next season. Everett is physically developed for his age with a stout 6'0 210 frame and the mindset to develop into a future star at linebacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23724034/69244df35e3261df7502b8cf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e57099c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112739"],"_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-698274e570a16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029 Cabell Midland LB [player_tooltip player_id='2112739' first='Ben' last='Thompson'] will steadily develop into a future standout for the Knights, with early traits showing up in his freshman season. He was a varsity contributor during their rebuilding year, and Thompson has the frame and early instincts to progress into a top defensive prospect in this class. Keep a close eye on him moving forward as a future star in the making in our eyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27139005/68da8dd100283cce44c952a4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e570a41"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1971728"],"_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-698274e570a91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williamstown has leaned on several underclassmen this season, and one freshman already positioning himself as a future piece of the program is 2029 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1971728' first='JP' last='Strobl']. Strobl has gained valuable experience at both the JV and varsity levels, contributing on each side of the ball while continuing to grow into his role. His physical skill set and football IQ translate well to linebacker long term, where his toughness and versatility should shine as he matures. With continued development, Strobl projects as a reliable, impact defender for the Yellowjackets and a name to keep on the radar in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/25657195/692f039c0b1d733e9a13fa91' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e570ab7"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1408144"],"_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-698274e570b22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hurricane has found a promising building block in 2029 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1408144' first='Tanner' last='Runyan'], a freshman who has stepped into a varsity role during a developmental season for the Redskins. Runyan has shown encouraging traits as an outside linebacker, combining athleticism with the ability to play in space and finish in the open field. His quickness allows him to close from the backside and make plays when the ball spills outside, and the added reps at tight end speak to his versatility and comfort with contact. As his frame and game continue to mature, Runyan projects as a rising OLB prospect and a name worth keeping on the radar in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26380183/692329e7776090401cce14a8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e570b49"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112708"],"_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-698274e570bae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2112708' first='Johnathan' last='Mitchell'] was a varsity contributor as a freshman for the Washington Patriots and an early standout at linebacker in the 2029 class. He got reps at defensive end as well as at middle linebacker, with a future likely as an OLB. Mitchell is an athletic young linebacker who was versatile in his alignment and will transform into a potentially top prospect in this LB class if he continues to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26868976/694f0f68e973529892f8ac95' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e570bd8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716506"],"_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-698274e570c25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkins has high expectations for 2029 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1716506' first='Caleb' last='Robinson'], a young prospect whose strong middle school résumé has carried over into the Tigers' program. While the depth in Elkins' backfield has limited his opportunities on offense early, Robinson has already begun carving out a role on defense at linebacker, where his instincts and physicality stand out for his age. His responsibilities should expand as he gains experience and strength, but the foundation is clearly in place for Robinson to grow into a key defensive contributor and a future standout in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26364274/68c793c32a48f2dfd6d730c7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e570c4c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716505"],"_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-698274e570d09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029 Poca LB [player_tooltip player_id='1716505' first='Dalton' last='Bragg'] saw a lot of varsity action in his freshman season for the Poca Dots, who develop quality linebackers in their program. He totaled 60 tackles this season and saw reps at running back as well, which may end up being his best position at 5'8 155. Bragg's film is limited to his running back reps, so a linebacker evaluation will come at another time, but expect him to emerge more on varsity next season and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27111978/68fce5ee96696ef4deca6f8a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698274e570d2e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER LBs TO KNOW WITHOUT FILM</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2079513' first='Chase' last='Perroots'] (Washington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1409355' first='Cash' last='Henry'] (Huntington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716500' first='Jahmier' last='Hardesty'] (East Fairmont)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2079514' first='Ashton' last='Byrd'] (Ritchie County)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->