Washington's top 2028 linebackers

The state of Washington is loaded with prospects in the upcoming classes - with high hopes for the 2027-2031 collections of talent.   Dozens of prospects are expected to emerge as bonafide Division I players in the next few years.   With that in mind, it's worth taking a look at some of the young standouts, position-by-position.   Here's a look at the top linebacker prospects in Washington in the class of 2028:   [player_tooltip player_id='1335521' first='RJ' last='Ward'], Bellevue — A do-everything playmaker, Ward plays wide receiver, running back, linebacker and safety.   The 6-foot-1, 205-pound athlete has seen his stock climb in the past six months and he has picked up offers from Boise State, Colorado State, Idaho and Montana State.   His ascension is only beginning, and more offers should pour in for the Bellevue standout.   [player_tooltip player_id='685329' first='Deon' last='Paine'], Life Christian — A running back/linebacker, the 6-foot, 190-pound athlete contributes all over the board on Friday night.   He's a bruising running back and tone-setting linebacker, and was recognized as a first-team all-league selection on both sides of the ball last fall.    It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the move from Roosevelt to Life Christian Academy, as he is one of the state's better athletes.   [player_tooltip player_id='999744' first='Wonderful' last='Glenn'], Timberline — As a sophomore, Glenn racked up 77 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 3 sacks, 2 pass break-ups and two forced fumbles.]   He contributed at a plus-level in a variety of ways and is an intriguing player to watch going forward.   Coming off a freshman campaign that opened a lot of eyes, it was a very solid follow-up.   Glenn is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound playmaker who made our all-Northwest defense for the class of 2028.   [player_tooltip player_id='1339295' first='Chance' last='Hatchett'], Ferndale — The athletic, physical 6-foot-1, 225-pound two-way performer showcased his ability on both side of the ball this fall.   He was a Wesco 3A/2A North first-team all-league selection at tight end, and a second-teamer at inside linebacker.   On defense, he registered 71 tackles, 9 tackles-for-loss, a sack, two forced fumbles and an interception.    His future may lie on the defensive side of the ball delivering bone-crushing hits.    [player_tooltip player_id='1530880' first='John' last='Rainey'], Moses Lake — A season after being a 100-tackle guy as a freshman, Rainey was a monster during his sophomore campaign.   He was the Defensive MVP of the CBBN - and it was clear it was headed that direction early in the season.   Rainey, a 6-foot, 200-pound athlete, was named to Prep Redzone's midseason all-state team.    He's going to put up insane career tackle numbers, and it will be fascinating to see how his recruitment unfolds.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615869' first='Kael' last='Copeland'], Kennedy Catholic — The 5-foot-11, 200-pound athlete was a first-team all-league selection as a sophomore and has all-state aspirations in the future.    Copeland is taking his off-season training seriously and has been in the weight room extensively.   A big junior campaign loading? It seems likely.    [player_tooltip player_id='985351' first='Carmelo' last='Madden'], Bellevue — The 6-foot, 230-pound thumper was a tone-setter on defense as just a sophomore.   He registered 63 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.   Madden made our all-Northwest 2028 team on defense.    [player_tooltip player_id='990071' first='Lincoln' last='Brien'], Lake Stevens — A multi-sport athlete, Brien is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound athlete who uses his football instincts to be a defensive presence on the hardwood.    Brien has a chance to develop into a focal point of the Lake Stevens defense in the years to come.    [player_tooltip player_id='1337973' first='Inoke' last='Crosby'], Bellevue — The 6-foot, 190-pound athlete can line up as a ‘backer or strong safety.   He's been on our radar for some time and another jump could be forthcoming soon.    [player_tooltip player_id='1795369' first='Zarrick' last='Roberts'], Yelm — “Reminds me of young Isaiah Patterson, who is now at West Virginia. Roberts is already a solid two-way player who doesn't necessarily have a “true” position just yet. His best position may end up being linebacker, like Patterson, and he has the size and athleticism to fit modern linebacker needs at the position.”   That's what I wrote about Roberts earlier this off-season.    He has a chance to jump way up the rankings as he continues his ascension.    [player_tooltip player_id='1195088' first='Jacoby' last='Tait'], Cashmere — Tait is a three-sport athlete (third in the state in wrestling), which is tremendously impressive given his 5-foot-7, 190-pound frame.   Unless he hits a massive growth spurt his size will put a limit on the ceiling of his recruitment, but there's zero questioning his toughness, competitiveness, or production.   As a sophomore, Tait was a first-team all-league linebacker and will be a force over the next couple of years.   He also added seven touchdowns and 5 yards per carry sharing running back responsibilities.   [player_tooltip player_id='2112383' first='Hudson' last='Schock'], Eastside Catholic — A two-sport athlete who also excels in baseball, Schock was a second-team all-league selection at inside linebacker this fall.   Playing alongside star senior [player_tooltip player_id='402799' first='Wassie' last='Lugolobi'], Schock was a force.   He could take his game to the next level as he develops and takes on more of the load.    [player_tooltip player_id='1658510' first='Jackson' last='Mathis'], Yelm — The 6-foot, 195-pound 'backer is putting in significant work in the weight room and is beginning to hear from some Ivy League schools.   He's a compelling player to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='2112382' first='Benji' last='Stephens'], Ballard — Stephens was a second-team all-league inside ‘backer for Ballard   Jack Rees, Ballard — Stephen and Reese were both second-team all-league selections at ‘backer, and should anchor the Ballard defense for the next couple of years.    It could be a dynamic 1-2 punch.    [player_tooltip player_id='1338199' first='Michael' last='Neal'], Enumclaw — Neal did a little bit of everything this fall as a 6-foot, 170-pound athlete, following up an MVP freshman campaign.    He lined up all over at wide receiver, played some quarterback, returned kicks and played outside linebacker. Of note, he also lined up all over as a lacrosse player during his freshman year.   No matter the sport, Neal takes on any role.   He could excel at linebacker as he grows stronger and narrows down his responsibilities.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615878' first='Jack' last='Hopen'], Anacortes — Playing both ways for Anacortes, Hopen contributed on both sides of the ball.   As a running back, he carried it 22 times for 173 yards and 7 touchdowns (7.9 yards per carry).   On the defensive side of things, Hopen contributed 46 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.    That level of production hints at much bigger things soon, especially since it marks two years in which the young player proves he is ascending.    [player_tooltip player_id='987108' first='Liam' last='Herolaga'], Lake Stevens — Herolaga is a 5-foot-11, 186-pound ‘backer who flashed major promise as a sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='2112484' first='Leolu' last='Feo'], Bethel — A young player to watch from a program that has produced its fair share of talented athletes.    Marshall Orona, Black Hills —The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back/linebacker isn't the biggest, but he packs a punch.   Orona is a major gym rat, boasting a 255-pound bench press and 406-pound squat.    After a strong sophomore campaign, particularly as a game-breaking running back, it seems he could take a significant leap forward this offseason.    [player_tooltip player_id='2112378' first='Matthias' last='Dale'], Inglemoor — Dale is a 5-foot-9, 206-pound two-way football player is a solid running back and linebacker.   While his size profile is limiting, he's a player to watch.    [player_tooltip player_id='1336905' first='Finn' last='Bunnage'], Richland — A workout warrior at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Bunnage is an intriguing prospect to watch.   Given the power he brings to the fullback position, it seems he could develop into a bone-crushing downhill linebacker.   Expect his production to take another leap forward next fall.    [player_tooltip player_id='985349' first='Kemarjae' last='Davis'], Mt. Tahoma — Davis flashed some upside this fall, registering 22 tackles, 5.4 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries.    [player_tooltip player_id='1293689' first='Jaxon' last='Foy'], O'Dea — O'Dea churns out elite talent each and every year, and Foy is a sophomore showing some promise.    [player_tooltip player_id='1339174' first='Karson' last='Lin'], Lake Washington — A two-way player for Lake Washington, Lin stood out most as a hard-hitting linebacker over the middle who tracked down ball-carriers and was willing to blow up ball-carries.    [player_tooltip player_id='984945' first='Ryder' last='Sandstrom'], Archbishop Murphy —Sandstorm is currently more productive as a running back, but he blossom into an even better linebacker by the end.

The state of Washington is loaded with prospects in the upcoming classes - with high hopes for the 2027-2031 collections of talent.