3A/4A LBs To Know

June is one of my favorite months of the Prep Redzone Calendar because we get to start preseason content. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, so we want to make sure to properly cover those classes. Here, we'll look at five linebackers to know in North Carolina's 3A and 4A classifications.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A/4A Linebackers to Know in 2026</h2>   Editor's Note: Check out our other 3A/4A Breakdowns <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-quarterbacks-to-know/">QBs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-running-backs-to-know/">RBs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-wrs-to-know-2/">WRs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/small-school-offensive-linemen-to-know/">Small-School OL</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-interior-defensive-linemen-to-know-2/">IDLs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-edge-rushers-to-know-2/">Edge Rushers</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='1616110' first='Blake' last='Pennington'] | North Moore   A bigger linebacker, Pennington's best trait is his closing speed. He's able to line up further from the line of scrimmage than you'll typically see at the lower classifications because his play recognition and reactions are excellent. When he decides to move in a direction, he covers a lot of ground in little time, allowing him to plug holes and make big hits. He's an excellent blitzer, and his physical profile suggests he's a future Division I linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1398025' first='Thomas' last='Kieffer'] | Pine Lake Prep   Kieffer has been on our radar for a few years as a tackling machine. He's refined his game in the last year or so, adding strength and speed. You can tell the difference on film, as he's making more of an impact with important tackles closer to the line of scrimmage. He's also improved in coverage, getting good depth on his drops and patrolling the middle of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='2078249' first='Landon' last='Hollifield'] | Shelby   Hollifield is another talented linebacker to come out of Shelby, and he's picking up some steam on the recruiting trail this offseason. He had a breakout junior season with over 130 tackles, including 31 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He's a downhill linebacker who plays much bigger than his frame would suggest. The rising senior has shown the ability to shoot gaps and beat double-teams, both as a blitzer and run stopper for Shelby.   [player_tooltip player_id='1396354' first='Bralyn' last='Pyles'] | Wilkes Central   A smaller outside linebacker, Pyles is unafraid of bigger offensive linemen, and he's at his best chasing down ball carriers from the back side and knifing through to blow up running plays. He's slippery, and linemen struggle to square him up. We like his speed, reactions, and playmaking abilities. I like the tenacity Pyles plays with, and he's a team leader for Wilkes Central.   [player_tooltip player_id='2156958' first='Tayshaun' last='Whiteside'] | East Rutherford   A two-way athlete, Whiteside spends a lot of time on the field. His biggest impact is as a linebacker, where he racked up over 100 tackles, including 13 for loss, last season for the Cavaliers. He's a speedy option at the linebacker position, able to make tackles from sideline to sideline. He didn't stat pad last year, though, as plenty of his plays were impactful, close to the line of scrimmage, where ball carriers struggled to evade his grip.   Jalaythan Mayfield | Lincolnton   Want a feel for how talented the linebacker group at the 3A level is? Look no further than our top linebacker prospect in the state, Lincolnton's Jalaythan Mayfield. Mayfield is one of the fastest downhill linebackers you'll ever see. When he has an opening, he's not going to miss. A big-hitter, he contributes as a blitzer, in pass defense, and as a run stuffer.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 3A/4A LBs To Know</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1678647' first='Owen' last='Smith'] | South Rowan   [player_tooltip player_id='1705626' first='Noah' last='LeBlanc'] | East Duplin   [player_tooltip player_id='2078853' first='Simon' last='Robinson'] | Brevard   [player_tooltip player_id='2140191' first='Jarrett' last='Lee'] | Princeton   [player_tooltip player_id='1632718' first='Cayden' last='Davis'] | Bunn   Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.

June is one of my favorite months of the Prep Redzone Calendar because we get to start preseason content. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, so we want to make sure to properly cover those classes. Here, we'll look at five linebackers to know in North Carolina's 3A and 4A classifications.