Offseason Predictions: 5 Breakout Players in 2026 (Pt. 8)

<p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p>   <p>We're still 6 months away from the 2026 season, but there's no better time to predict breakout stars during the offseason who have flashed in the past but haven't fully broken out yet. The transfer landscape has yet to be finalized, which may impact some of these predictions in the future. However, here is one player from each school, listed in alphabetical order, that we believe will have a breakout season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LEWIS COUNTY MINUTEMEN</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2104200' first='Isaac' last='Pickens'] is the kind of young linebacker you notice right away when you turn on the Lewis County tape. At 6'1, 210 with the build and presence of a traditional middle linebacker, he handled himself well as a sophomore and gave the Minutemen steady play in the middle of the defense. He's physical, he's comfortable taking on blocks, and he plays with the temperament you want inside. The next phase of his development is going to hinge on how much range and explosiveness he can add to his game over the next year. The toughness and instincts are already in place; that part isn't a question. If the athletic profile continues to trend upward as he moves toward his junior season, Pickens has a chance to separate himself and move from a solid underclassman to a legitimate name in the 2028 linebacker conversation.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LIBERTY RAIDERS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2028 Liberty WR [player_tooltip player_id='2131090' first='Liam' last='Daniels'] is one of those underclassmen you circle because the context matters. Liberty doesn't throw it a ton, so hauling in 29 catches for 385 yards as a sophomore in a run-heavy offense tells you he's earning his touches, not just benefiting from volume. At 6'1 170, there's room to keep filling out, and that physical development will be important as he steps into a larger role as a junior. Without any film in hand, you lean on the production and the body type, both of which check out. If the Raiders open things up more in 2026 and Daniels continues trending upward, he's got a chance to make a noticeable jump in his junior season.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LINCOLN COUGARS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1616384' first='Connor' last='Rice'] heads into his senior season at Lincoln with real momentum after a productive junior campaign that showed he's more than just the next name in line. Following his older brother's standout career, Rice carved out his own identity in 2025 as a true two-way contributor. Offensively, he handled 167 carries for 744 yards and 11 touchdowns, added 22 receptions for 190 yards and three more scores, and consistently gave the Cougars a dependable presence with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he posted 50 tackles along with a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection, flashing the physicality and motor you want at linebacker. That's still where his long-term upside feels strongest, but his versatility is part of the appeal. If continued growth comes, Rice has the makeup and production profile to push himself firmly into the upper tier of the 2027 linebacker class.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LINCOLN COUNTY PANTHERS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2028 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2131099' first='Kody' last='Adkins'] is one of those sophomores whose stat line tells you he's around the football, even without a full tape in hand. At Lincoln County, he logged 62 carries for 170 yards, added 16 catches for 209 yards and a score, and finished with 50 tackles and two tackles for loss on defense. That kind of two-way involvement usually points to a staff that trusts him. Projecting forward, the conversation starts with where his body and athletic profile settle, whether he grows into a true defensive back or continues carving out a role as a hybrid athlete. Adkins has a chance to turn steady sophomore production into a real jump as an upperclassman in 2026. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LINSLY CADETS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2091001' first='Preston' last='Hartley'] is a name colleges need to get familiar with as they sort through the 2027 linebacker board. The Linsly junior took a noticeable jump this season and became the tone-setter in the middle of that defense, finishing with 61 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. He plays the position the right way, downhill, physical, and around the football more often than not, and there's enough versatility there to line him up inside or bump him outside depending on the front. What stood out late in the year was his willingness to contribute offensively as a RB/FB, which tells you a lot about his toughness and value to the program. Now it's about building on that foundation with the potential to solidify himself as one of the top linebacker prospects in the class.</p>

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