2028 SPRING RANKINGS UPDATE: Linebacker Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SPRING UPDATE:</strong> We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2028 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2028 linebackers with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position within each class, as well as other relevant segments. For the linebackers, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b41c45d0db5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1354197"],"_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-69b41c45d3507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1354197' first='Bryer' last='Hackler'] is going to garner more attention this fall. Hackler is a high-motor, sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He can drop into zone effectively or attack downhill, stack, and shed. Don't miss out on this linebacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/bryerhackler12/status/2000753200882679962?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bryerhackler12/status/2000753200882679962?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1893147"],"_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-69b41c45d35a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1893147' first='Maxton' last='Burns'] has the athletic ability and physicality to play off-ball linebacker or off the edge as a rusher. He plays with a high motor, chasing down ball carriers sideline-to-sideline, without overpursuing. Burns can fill gaps at the LOS and be effective in zone coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/maxton_burns/status/1990487306021843458?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/maxton_burns/status/1990487306021843458?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571836"],"_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-69b41c45d361a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaterrion "JT" Williams is a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. Williams is a smart football player, effectively plays the cutback and does not overpursue against the run. He's a reliable tackler in space with a solid motor post-snap. I expect him to take a major leap this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JaTerrionW2028/status/2027396317316583689?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaTerrionW2028/status/2027396317316583689?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1652012"],"_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-69b41c45d368a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1652012' first='Corderius' last='Thomas'] adds to an underrated linebacker core for Jonesboro. He's an athletic prospect with a high motor who can cover the entire field. Thomas uses solid angles and foot quickness to pursue ball carriers. Keep an eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/corderiusthomas/status/1992682611609927702?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/corderiusthomas/status/1992682611609927702?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2081978"],"_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-69b41c45d36f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2081978' first='Kylen' last='Brown'] is another breakout candidate for this upcoming season. He attacks downhill with solid angles and showcases the ability to get across the face and make a play at the line of scrimmage with solid pad level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KylenBrown2028/status/2002844814359089518?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KylenBrown2028/status/2002844814359089518?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 150 LINEBACKERS:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1338087' first='Blake' last='Moody'] (Nashville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1185930' first='Brandon' last='Johnson'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1602651' first='Reagan' last='Choate'] (Conway)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1189713' first='Preston' last='Strong'] (Sylvan Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='1643775' first='Walker' last='Whitten'] (Arkadelphia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='1331898' first='Marlo' last='Jones Jr']. (North Little Rock)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='1170932' first='Kaleb' last='Tubbs'] (Joe T. Robinson)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='1192057' first='Seth' last='Wood'] (Greenwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='1613876' first='Davis' last='Kulka'] (Bentonville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='1951374' first='Kolby' last='Walker'] (Cross County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='539603' first='Ty' last='Jenkins'] (Jonesboro)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->