Class of 2026: Impact Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2026 has some the top defensive playmakers in the state of Texas at the linebacker position. They are playmakers who are game changers on the defensive side of the ball who make impactful plays for their teams. These players have the athleticism to play the run, pass and rush the passer, making life for opposing offenses difficult. Here are several players in the class of 2026 to keep an eye on this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["960312"],"_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_0_evaluation":"King plays with great speed, his ability to read, diagnose and close on ball carriers allows him to be a difference maker on the defensive side of the football. He plays under control, he has great instincts and he has superb vision that enables him to make plays from sideline to sideline. He keeps his feet hot, never getting stuck in the mud, allowing him to be active and disruptive defensively. He rushes the passer well, he takes on blocks using his length to keep blockers off of him and he closes on the quarterback with violent intentions. He is a superb open field tackler, King takes proper angles to the ball carrier and he lays the wood. King was highly productive his sophomore season, with 138 tackles, 8 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. King is one the most disruptive defenders in his class and he plays at a different speed from his opponents. A double digit offer recruit, he has spring visits set up with Notre Dame, SMU, Baylor, Texas Au0026amp;M and Texas.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["960252"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Noriel plays from sideline to sideline, he plays with great leverage and his closing speed to the ball carrier allows him to be a playmaker on the defensive side of the football. He has a lean, stout, athletic frame, he has the ability to shock, shed and take on blocks in the hole and make plays in the backfield. Dominguez plays fast, he is a sure tackler who is strong at the point of attack and he lays the wood. He was extremely productive in 2023, with 92 total tackles, 4  sacks, 4 forced fumbles, a blocked kick, a safety, 12 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a pass break up to fill up the stat sheet. He is one of the most highly sought after recruits in his class, with offers on the table from, TCU, Houston, LSU, Texas Au0026amp;M and Notre Dame, there is no doubt that he is one the premiere defenders in the country.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["977593"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Phillips has a lean, athletic frame, with an extended reach and he plays with great leverage. He is stout at the point of attack, he plays fast with the ability to contort his body to defeat blocks in space and his explosion off the ball enables him to cause havoc for his opponents. Jamarion is a versatile defender, who can line up inside and stuff the running game or be just as deadly rushing the passer off the edge. He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, with 14 sacks, 95 tackles and 23 tackles for loss. His offer sheet is loaded with TCU, UTSA, Pittsburgh, UCF, Auburn and Colorado, being apart of the double digits list of schools who have come to the table with offers.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["947690"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Kosi is a sideline to sideline defender, who plays fast but under control and he has a seek and destroy type of game that makes him an elite defender. He has a long, lean athletic frame that he uses well to take on blocks at the point of attack allowing him to win off the ball and his ability to explode quickly at the snap, allows him to be a menace in opponents backfield. He has an explosive first step, he has the flexibility to bend and contort his body to maneuver past blocks and his closing speed to the quarterback enables him to cause turnovers and be disruptive. One of the elite defenders in his class, Kosi has offers from Texas, Notre Dame, Houston, Texas Au0026amp;M, TCU, SMU, Baylor, who are among a double digit list of collegiate programs who have seen the value of having him coming to their programs in the future.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["212436"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Madden is a downhill defender, who has superb vision, he reads and diagnoses plays quickly and when sees it, he attacks, closing in with violent intentions. Morgan has a stout build with broad shoulders, he plays with excellent leverage and he has active hands that enable him to shed blocks well. He has excellent short area quickness, he moves well in space with great lateral speed and his ability to close fast on ball carriers allows him to make to be a difference maker defensively. Morgan was a key contributor, helping lead Episcopal to a state title and he returns as one of the top defenders in his class. Madden is a multisport standout, who is a top flight wrestler and his wrestling background helps elevate his game on gridiron. Morgan is a defensive prospect to keep an eye on heading into his junior season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["724855"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Evans is strong at the point of attack, he reads and diagnoses plays quickly, which enables him to make plays in the backfield often. He plays with a low center of gravity, using excellent leverage, he fills runs gaps under control and his ability to take on blocks and get to the ball carrier are traits in his game that surface when he is in attack mode. He has an extended reach combined with violent hands that allows him to shed blocks and be a menace defensively. Tatum's excellent short area quickness and his ability to move swiftly laterally are key traits in his game that allow him to roam sideline to sideline and make plays. Evans registered 68 tackles as a sophomore and will be one of the top returners for Grapevine in 2024. His buzz on the recruiting trail is climbing, with recent visits to Northwestern and Baylor, Evans is a prospect to keep an eye on this offseason heading into his junior season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1194213"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Jesse plays under control, he uses good leverage when attacking the ball carrier and he is a heavy hitter who tackles well in the open field. He moves well in space, his ability to take on blocks in the hole, use his hands to keep his body free and close down running lanes allows him to be a playmaker defensively. Richardson plays the passing lanes well, he uses his extended reach to get his hands on ball, his footwork is clean and he reads the quarterback well, leading to several pass breakups and an interception in the fall season in 2023. Jesse had 105 tackles, to help lead the Parish Episcopal defense to a state title this past fall and he was selected TAPPS D1 Underclassmen of The Year, First Team All State and First Team All District. Look for Richardson to continue turn heads this offseason and he is a key returner for Parish in 2024.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0cfc6399b6"} /-->