Cannon Garday Cannon Garday 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Liberty | 2026 State AZ just plays the game with a natural feel — like the kind of linebacker who doesn’t need to guess because he already knows. At 6’1”, 210, he’s built to take on contact, but what stands out is how well he moves. He’s got the short-area quickness of a DB and the frame to fill lanes with force. You’ll see him slip through a gap one play and then drop into coverage the next without skipping a beat. He’s sharp with his reads and reacts with zero hesitation. That fast trigger shows up on tape all the time — whether he’s knifing into the backfield or tracking down a runner from the backside. He plays violent, too. When he hits, it sticks. With his football IQ, physical tools, and the way he consistently shows up near the ball, Garday brings that every-down reliability you want in the heart of a defense.

Cannon Garday Cannon Garday 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Liberty | 2026 State AZ is one of those guys who doesn’t quite fit into one box — and that’s exactly what makes him so valuable. He’s got the frame and physicality of a linebacker, but he moves like a defensive back. You watch him play and it’s clear: he just gets it. He sees plays develop before they happen, reacts instantly, and has a knack for being right where the ball ends up. Whether it’s tracking a run down from the backside or breaking on a pass over the middle, Garday is always in the mix. He made his commitment to Northern Arizona after hitting their MegaCamp, and you’ve got to imagine that weekend left a strong impression. For NAU, pulling in this kind of in-state talent is a big win. He brings versatility, awareness, and a motor that doesn’t quit — the kind of guy who’s going to find a role and thrive in it, no matter where you line him up.

Garday is a highly instinctive linebacker with an exceptionally fast trigger breaking on the football. He’s patient with his read steps and as he diagnoses run/pass to limit wasted movement but reacts with urgency and speed. His short area burst closes space before the play can develop allowing him to shoot gaps, beat blockers to the spot, and disrupt flow. High football IQ and good leadership traits to get the defense set and make instinctive decisions. Highly aggressive in pursuit and attacks ball carriers by accelerating through contact violently. Makes a ton of plays at or behind the LOS finishing the 2024 season with 11.5 TFL, seven sacks, and 78 total tackles for the Open Division state champions. Holds three D1 offers.

3 Offers: New Mexico State, Montana, Army