Senior linebacker Jackson McCarthy Jackson McCarthy 6'4" | 205 lbs | LB Canyon View | 2026 State AZ brought his own brand of disruption, especially off the edge, where his length, quickness, and instincts made him a constant concern for Desert Mountain. He’s a lean, fluid athlete who can hold up in coverage, but he’s just as comfortable knifing into the backfield or chasing a play down from the backside. In a championship game where both defenses were trading punches and every yard mattered, Jackson’s motor and versatility stood out — he was consistently around the ball, setting edges, cleaning up traffic, and keeping Canyon View in striking distance.

Jackson McCarthy Jackson McCarthy 6'4" | 205 lbs | LB Canyon View | 2026 State AZ is a long, twitchy edge defender who makes life tough on offensive tackles. At 6’4”, 205 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame college coaches love, and he uses every inch of it to his advantage. Whether he’s bending around the edge or using a quick slant to work inside, McCarthy finds ways to get into the backfield. His blend of speed and strength makes him a mismatch — he’s just as comfortable slipping past a block as he is walking his man back into the quarterback’s lap. What separates him is his effort. He plays with a relentless motor that keeps him in every play, even when the initial read breaks down. That pursuit, combined with real explosion off the line, makes him a constant disruption. McCarthy’s not just flashing traits — he’s putting together complete, high-impact reps that force offenses to adjust.

Jackson McCarthy Jackson McCarthy 6'4" | 205 lbs | LB Canyon View | 2026 State AZ has a combination of speed and power that offensive coordinators hate having to gameplan for. Often coming off the edge for Canyon View’s defense, he can get into the opponent’s backfield in a hurry, even if that means driving the offensive lineman back there with him. He currently has ten tackles for loss to go with six sacks and a whopping 13 quarterback pressures through the team’s first seven games. McCarthy’s relentless pursuit and disruptive presence make him a constant threat to blow up plays before they even have a chance to develop.

2026 Defensive Lineman Jackson McCarthy Jackson McCarthy 6'4" | 205 lbs | LB Canyon View | 2026 State AZ has really taken his game to a whole new level through the first half of the season. He has 33 total tackles, 17 of those as solo tackles, 7 TFLs, and 5 sacks. In one his standout performance vs Queen Creek, he racked in 8 solo tackles out of 11 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 sacks, and a few pressures. His most impressive attribute is his bend around the edge. Whether it’s coming from the inside or outside, he beautifully works his way around blockers. His strength and body control are also excellent as he has a good base to keep a low center of gravity not to get off balance. His repertoire of pass rush moves is improving as he can slant inside quickly, working half a man or making his way around the edge. Canyon View will take on Cactus this week in a big time matchup. McCarthy will undoubtedly look to rise to the occasion in a crucial game in their season.