National Preps Collegiate Showcase: Top LB Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>National Preps had their Collegiate Showcase earlier this month. With roughly 200 of the top players from MD, DE, DC, PA, NJ, and VA with over 100 college coaches present from FCS-D3 to get eyes on that talent. Below are some of the Top LB prospects that caught my eye during the Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1709820"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2216166,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a15c1400cb8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaxon was easily a top performer at the National Preps Showcase and would have got my vote for LB MVP on the day. Measuring in at 6'3" 214lbs he has ideal size and build for the next level. He showcase fluid hips and is smooth in his movement/transitions while also playing fast. In 1v1s he was excellent in coverage. Staying patient, able to turn &amp; run and stay in the hip pocket of the RB/TEs. Jaxon showed good change of direction, staying balanced with active feet to go make plays on the pass. Overall Jaxon is a physical, fluid LB who can make impact plays in the run and pass game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great day at the <a href="https://twitter.com/NPShowcases?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPShowcases</a>!! Here's some of my clips from 1on1s. <a href="https://twitter.com/coachcrounse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachcrounse</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NPCoachZim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPCoachZim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SMAC_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SMAC_Football</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tyler_NPreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tyler_NPreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneMD</a> <a href="https://t.co/TenfTF5dQU">pic.twitter.com/TenfTF5dQU</a></p>&mdash; Jaxon sullivan (@jaxsully5) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaxsully5/status/2053264575697473773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2150923"],"_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-6a15c1400cbc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sam is an athletic good frame LB who shined all day throughout testing, drill work and 1v1s during the National Preps Showcase. Measuring in at 6'3" 220lbs while running a 4.9 laser 40 with an 8'11" SBJ, he checked a lot of boxes. Sam very fluid and went through LB drills effortlessly. He has good COD with quick hips that allows him to close quickly on plays. Sam showcased that repeatedly in 1v1s. He was able to break on passes for PBUs and was athletic to stay step for step with RB/TEs. Sam was easily a stand out prospect during the camp and with his high GPA he should be getting plenty of looks from high academic FCS/D3 schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time at the National Preps showcase yesterday. Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/NPCoachZim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPCoachZim</a> for the invite!<a href="https://twitter.com/tdhald?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tdhald</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRichHolzer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRichHolzer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TouchdownDons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TouchdownDons</a> <a href="https://t.co/DB3Z9Nfjc9">pic.twitter.com/DB3Z9Nfjc9</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2150923' first='Sam' last='Lavin'] (@sam_lavin27) <a href="https://twitter.com/sam_lavin27/status/2053492753686802745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2134369"],"_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-6a15c1400cbea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cullen is a thick built physical LB who even as a 2028 prospect was a top performer at the showcase. Measuring in a 6'1+" 226lbs and broad jumping a strong 9'0". During 1v1s he was able to press receivers and keep them in-front with his strength. Displaying good hips and short burst he can stay in the pocket of the receiver and get hands on the pass. Cullen is already ranked as one of the top LBs in the 2028 class and backed that up with his performance at the National Preps Showcase. I can see him having a standout junior season for St. Mary's this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/NPCoachZim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPCoachZim</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/tdhald?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tdhald</a> for putting on a great showcase last weekend. Thankful to get to show off my talent and perform !!<a href="https://twitter.com/NPShowcases?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPShowcases</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/STMSaintsFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@STMSaintsFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jm3xEhABFf">pic.twitter.com/Jm3xEhABFf</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2134369' first='Cullen' last='Rigby'] (@cullenrigby13) <a href="https://twitter.com/cullenrigby13/status/2055372805512856024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2134522"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2216168,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a15c1400cc12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan is another 2028 prospect who shined during the National Preps Showcase earlier this month. Measuring in at a well slapped together 6'2" 230lbs running a 5.0 laser 40 and an 8'11" SBJ. Those are strong numbers that represent the athleticism Jordan plays with. Physical and fluid, Jordan plays fast and is quick in transitions / change of directions. Displaying quick feet and good balance in drill work. Jordan is inline to be a top LB in the 2028 class and should be a big time impact player for Northern's defense next fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our guy <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanWatt52045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JordanWatt52045</a> will be in attendance for the <a href="https://twitter.com/NPShowcases?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPShowcases</a> this Saturday! <br><br>Jordan is a 6'2 220lb Linebacker with FBS level talent and size! This young man is ONLY A 2028, with two years starting experience. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RecruitThePats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RecruitThePats</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nationalpreps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nationalpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/oK6uOjDrBe">pic.twitter.com/oK6uOjDrBe</a></p>&mdash; Northern High School Football (@NHSPatriotsFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHSPatriotsFB/status/2052754829630439522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->