2026 Rankings Watch List: 5 Must Know Linebackers

Eckl is one of the top outside linebackers across the region and is coming off a stellar Junior season campaign for Dana Hills. He has the ideal length, closing speed and frame for the outside linebacker position in college and shows a good mix of pass rush abilities, bend and coverage downfield/in the flats. He is strong at the point of attack when shedding blockers and shows he can set the edge, lock blockers out away from his chest and keep his outside shoulder free before collapsing on ball carriers. He is a high motor kid that shows tremendous backside pursuit and closing speed and brings a good thump at the point of attack with plus pass rushing tools/hands around the corner. He should draw plenty of FCS interest through his senior season and is a key WL name to note.     The Newport Harbor prospect is one of the more under recruited linebackers across the region and is a no-brainer next level caliber player. He has the ideal size, closing speed and range for the position and offers great versatility at either inside linebacker or outside linebacker. He flashes quick play diagnoses, triggers fast to the ball with closing speed and brings a good dump at the point of attack. He shows he can move through or around blockers and has good bend, change of direction and twitch when both rushing the passer, applying pressure off the edge or in open space. He is a high motor player that is a sure tackler in the open field and takes the proper angles and has a very diverse skill set from the second level.     Davis is extremely versatile from the inside linebacker, outside linebacker or defensive end position and excels when rushing the passer and coming off the edge. He has quick first step explosion and is a natural bender off the edge with a quick use of hands of the point of attack to beat tackles with either speed or power. He shows a variety of various pass rush moves at his disposal and plays with relentless pursuit to the ball. Davis shows good redirect abilities and movement in space/change your direction and plays with tremendous physicality and violence. Heading into the 2025 season he will be one of the top returning defenders across San Diego and is a big name to note.     Casas is a true inside linebacker with a stout and strong frame that should fit nicely as a Mike at the next level. He is one of the toughest and more violent hitters across the region and excels against the run while also fluid in coverage downfield. He is a very high IQ player the recognizes quickly pre-snap and flows quickly to the ball while packing a punch at the point of attack. He does a good job getting off blocks, scraping over the top and making plays behind the line with closing speed and good range outside the tackles. He is another no-brainer college caliber prospect that should draw plenty of interest heading through senior season.     Epstein operates from the edge position for Capistrano Valley and is a effective pass rusher from the outside with both speed and power moves in his toolbox. He has a quick first step while gaining immediate ground and gets his hands on blocker's quickly with a consistent lockout and inside punch. He shows tremendous pursuit to the ball backside and can redirect quickly in open space/is very fundamentally sound both against the pass and run. He has a frame to continue packing on weight through his senior season in collegiate career and should draw plenty of D3+ interest through the summer and into his final prep season.