Top Returning ‘Backers for the 252

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Not a subscriber? Promo code zane30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While offenses typically get the praise these days due to high-scoring games, a good linebacker can set the ton for the defense, and the entire program. Take a look at some of these game-changing 'backers that return this fall in the 252 area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1084981"],"_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-6a6f9d91b77d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Magwood had a solid junior season, finishing with 54 tackles on the year, with two of them being tackles for loss. He also hauled in an interception on the year, with two pass deflections, showing his ability to make plays in coverage, while forcing a fumble. Look for the 5'10 200-pounder to make even more plays his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1887310"],"_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-6a6faca4cf95a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith had a stellar sophomore campaign, finishing with 52 tackles on the year, including two tackles for loss. He also added a sack, a pass breakup and an astonishing four forced fumbles on the year. While this is about linebackers, he also led the team in rushing yards (830) and touchdowns (12) to further emphasize his versatility and value headed into his junior season. He has also bulked up to 225 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2264237,"_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-6a6faca4cf9ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blank is probably a lesser-known athlete due to his height, but opposing offenses know exactly who #32 is for the Pam Pack. Blank registered an impressive 126 tackles in his junior season, averaging 11.5 tackles per game. Of his 126 tackles, 91 of them were solo tackles. He also logged 34 tackles his sophomore year in only eight games. While he may not have the ideal size, Blank will look to repeat that success his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2264242,"_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-6a6faca4cf9e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bryant is another under-the-radar type player with his size, but he is also one to watch in 2026. He finished 2025 with 78 tackles on the season, including 10 tackles for loss. He also added four sacks that resulted in a loss of 25 yards, while forcing a fumble and recovering another one. Look for a great final season for the senior out of Greenville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->