Newly-Ranked 2028 LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, we dropped our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">updated 2028 rankings</a>, and we're we've been breaking down the players who told the story of the update by position. Here, we're looking at the newest players in the rankings. After going&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-spring/">behind the scenes</a>&nbsp;of the 2028 class update, here are the six newly-ranked linebackers in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Linebackers Were Added to the 2028 Rankings?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Check out our other newly-ranked position pieces:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-qbs/">QBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-rbs/">RBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-ol/">OL</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-wrs/">WRs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-edge-rushers/">Edge Rushers</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-idls/">IDLs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2060117"],"_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-6a188f5c352c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A hybrid linebacker/safety who could ultimately end up ranked as a defensive back due to his coverage skills, Johnson flew under our radar before winning a camp MVP award at the Under Armour Next camp this offseason. He moves well, and he's added some good weight without losing any lateral quickness. I'd love to scout him in person this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156958"],"_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-6a188f5c3532d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">East Rutherford has a solid rising junior class coming up through the ranks, and Whiteside is one of the best of the bunch. He lived around the ball last season, racking up a ton of tackles, including 13 for loss. He's gotten a bit bigger and faster so far this offseason, and we e</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2117028"],"_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-6a188f5c35366"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cash plays mostly off the edge for Lincolnton, but he has the quickness and coverage skills to excel as a linebacker at the next level. He <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/6-potential-spring-newcomers-2028/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/6-potential-spring-newcomers-2028/">hit our radar</a> right after we published our winter rankings update, and we've been patiently waiting to get him into the rankings ever since. He's a solid player with some untapped upside for Lincolnton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140191"],"_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-6a188f5c3539b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was my original intention to put Lee on the watchlist, as his sophomore season was good, but I was afraid of his lack of size. However, he showed up much heavier than expected to the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/ccc-recap-winners-from-clayton/">Carolinas Coaches Combine</a> in Clayton. There, he <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/ccc-clayton-recap-award-winners/">won the award</a> for the top linebacker over several established players, and I left with a much higher opinion of the Princeton defender than I'd expected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156857"],"_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-6a188f5c353e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trojanowki was impressive last season, and flashy too. His biggest impact on the game was not that he racked up meaningless tackles, but rather that he was responsible for five takeaways and two sacks last year. He has great size and speed for a rising junior, so we think he'll only continue to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156875"],"_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-6a188f5c35415"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Torain popped up on our radar when I looked at a surprisingly deep group of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-durham-orange-county-lbs/">Durham/Orange County linebackers</a>. Torain plays much bigger than his frame suggests, and he's unafraid of mixing it up on the interior. His motor and smart angles helped him rack up tackles last season, and he's a guy who should only get better as he grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Next week, we start our look at the 2029 class. Make sure to DM me on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>) with your film, measurements, and times so we don't miss you. <em>Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->