2026 Rankings: Game-Wrecking Linebackers

The linebackers in the 2026 Class are an outstanding group. They're fast, they're physical, and they all do a great job playing within what they're asked to do, as well as helping their teammates create a little havoc. Here's a look at some of the top performers in the class.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] Gray Collegiate   Size, speed, pedigree, ability. That comes as close to summing up [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] as anything can. The Gray Collegiate standout notched a dozen tackles a game as a sophomore, and looks to be poised to do even more in his junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson'] Berkeley   First off, Henderson can MOVE. He gets sideline-to-sideline in a hurry, and has a knack for making plays along the way. He made more than 125 tackles a year ago, and he's got a ton of talent returning alongside him on the Stags' defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] Northwestern   Watkins is proof that the offseason pays off. After a strong run in the Trojans' playoff games, he got progressively better at camps and off-season workouts, working himself into a couple of D1 offers. He's a ball-hawk who has a tremendous upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165099' first='Darriyarn' last='Baxley'] Chester   Baxley has the unenviable task of trying to replace a standout in Antonio Hopkins, but he looks like he's more than up to the challenge. He had a monster season last year, with 126 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. Like every guy on this list, he does a good job pursuing the ball. Once he gets there, he's something else.   [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] South Florence   Gordon is strong, fast, and physical, and has a knack for being right where the offense doesn't want him to be, seemingly all the time. He finds the ball well, and creates some havoc when he gets to it. Just have a look.      RISING STARS   [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'] Westside   There's a ton of talk about what Westside is capable of on offense, and rightly so. But the defense is nearly as dangerous, and Wilson is a big part of the reason why. He turned in 116 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and an interception as a sophomore, and is only going to get better. He's constantly going, and always around the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] Dutch Fork   Salters is a tackle machine, and a violent one. He had 91 tackles and eight for loss last season, and was a key leader for a Silver Fox defense that helped will the team to another 5A title despite some early struggles. Salters is a smart, technically sound player, but at the heart of it, he's a thumper. He's one of those guys who seems to thrive on contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165126' first='Kelvin' last='Smalls'] Baptist Hill   You've heard of "high-motor" guys? That's Smalls. He's one of those guys who never, ever seems to take a play off, as evidenced by 12 tackles per game last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1220232' first='Christopher' last='Glover'] Calhoun County   Glover's a physical guy despite a little bit smaller stature, and he's fantastic at making decisions on the fly. He had triple-digit tackles for the Saints last season to earn all-region honors, and he's on pace to get a bunch of offensive touches this year as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1258072' first='Kayden' last='Payne'] Ninety Six   Payne's one of those guys who keeps a statistician busy. He's a difference maker on defense, like in the Wildcats' opener, when he accounted for a sack, a tackle for loss, and broke up a pass. He also spends some time at RB in Ninety Six's power run game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267314' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] Ware Shoals   Brown's fast and physical enough to play RB for the Hornets, but his calling card is on the other side of the ball. He's a sure tackler who diagnoses plays well and gets to the ball in a hurry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267311' first='Julian' last='Senn'] Newberry   Senn is a guy the Bulldogs will look to for defensive leadership. He's had a big impact already this season. Senn plays with the discipline you'd expect from an inside linebacker, playing the proper gap, tracking down plays from behind, and showing no hesitation or problem in getting upfield when he needs to.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyan' last='Ratchford'] Gaffney   Ratchford is long, fast, and extremely quick to react. He flies to the ball, and is excellent at stopping the run and rushing the passer. He's the latest in a line of outstanding Gaffney LBs, and he's a steady tackler who gives his teammates the confidence to fly around.      DARK HORSE CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1395064' first='Messiah' last='McFadden'] Blackville-Hilda   McFadden's size - he's 6-foot-4 - allows him to do a lot of things for the Hawks. He can play a traditional LB role or stand up off the edge, and he uses his long stride to stalk down the ball, and he doubles as a big target on the outside on offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1399632' first='Ty'Korian' last='Campbell'] Blue Ridge   Campbell played a bit as a sophomore for the Tigers, but with the departure of Blue Ridge's leading tackler, he'll be counted on heavily in his junior season. If Blue Ridge has the year they want to have, Campbell will be a key factor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] Belton-Honea Path   Anderson provides quiet, solid leadership on a stingy Bears defense. There are bigger names on that side of the ball, but he's as important to the plan as any of them, and he's ready to take on even more of a leadership role.

The linebackers in the 2026 Class are an outstanding group. They're fast, they're physical, and they all do a great job playing within what they're asked to do, as well as helping their teammates create a little havoc. Here's a look at some of the top performers in the class.