Watching Red Mountain in this one, it just felt like the same guy was showing up around the ball every single time they needed a stop – that was Jameson Wade Jameson Wade 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Red Mountain | 2026 State AZ . He came into the postseason already established as one of the most productive tacklers in the state, but this game was more about how quietly dominant he was than any single highlight play. ALA–QC never really got comfortable running the football, and Wade was the main reason why. He fit runs downhill without overrunning them, scraped sideline-to-sideline when they tried to bounce things, and seemed to be standing up from the bottom of every pile after a key third-down stop. Add in the sack and forced fumble he logged, and you get the full picture of a middle linebacker who just has a feel for when to trigger and how to finish. For a Red Mountain team that leaned on its defense to grind out a win, Wade was the heartbeat of that unit.

Wade is a physical and downhill force in the Red Mountain defense. He’s constantly attacking, reading and triggering quickly to fill gaps and disrupt offensive flow. At 6’1” 220 lbs., he’s got plus acceleration closing fast and flying to the football delivering hard contact on every play. Shows great lateral agility allowing him to scrape across the formation and be a consistent playmaker sideline to sideline. Displays solid block-shedding technique using his hands and quick movement to prevent blockers from getting into his body. He’s a strong open field tackler who takes precise angles, stays balanced on contact, and is reliable breaking down in space. Holds three D1 offers to date and has racked up 107 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks going into the playoffs.

Jameson Wade Jameson Wade 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Red Mountain | 2026 State AZ is the rock in the middle for Red Mountain for the second year in a row. At 6’2” and 225, you wouldn’t expect him to glide sideline‑to‑sideline, but he does — reads the flow well, mirrors backs, and arrives to the ball square. Against O’Connor he was everywhere, rallying to the ball and closing gaps before they opened. He’s as sure a tackler as you’ll find in space, and when asked to rush the passer, he works through traffic with balance and power. A captain’s type of presence who sets the defense’s tone every snap.

Jameson Wade Jameson Wade 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Red Mountain | 2026 State AZ is one of those linebackers who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He’s got a really natural feel for the flow of the game — trusting his eyes, staying patient, and then attacking downhill with purpose. Against the run, he’s more than just a thumper. He reads things quickly and adjusts on the fly, which lets him avoid getting caught out of position. He’s also a solid tackler who doesn’t waste movement. While he’ll occasionally have to work to keep up with quicker backs in space, his lateral movement and football IQ help him close gaps and take smart angles. In a trio setting like this, where the offense has more flexibility, Wade’s ability to impact both the run and the pass will be a huge asset.

Jameson Wade Jameson Wade 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Red Mountain | 2026 State AZ has one of those ideal linebacker builds — 6’2” and 220 pounds, with the frame and athleticism to cover ground and take on blocks. He plays light on his feet and moves really well laterally, which lets him stay balanced and break down in space. He’s not a gambler either — he plays patient, reads the play as it develops, and trusts his instincts to lead him to the football. That discipline showed up all year long, as he racked up 97 tackles during a standout junior season and played a major role in Red Mountain’s success. With another year under his belt, Wade should be looked to as the emotional and physical anchor of that defense again.

Jameson Wade Jameson Wade 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Red Mountain | 2026 State AZ is a really aggressive linebacker out of Red Mountain. With impressive instincts in the run game, he does a great job of following the flow of the play and letting it carry him to the ball. It doesn’t seem to matter who the offense tries to throw at Wade, he’s got the strength to hold his own when at a size disadvantage. What truly stands out most about his game is how good he is when up at the line of scrimmage. Whether it’s attacking the quarterback or not over pursuing against the run, he’s got a nose for the ball. Coming off a sophomore season where he notched double-digit tackles in four games while adding on six and a half sacks, Wade could really take off after another offseason of work.