The Rivals250 for the 2026 class has been updated and now it’s time to break down each position. We move to the linebackers by looking at three big storylines moving forward.
NEW 2026 POSITION RANKINGS: Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB | RB | All-Purpose RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DT | Weakside DE | Strongside DE | Inside LB | Outside LB | CB | S | Athlete
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Latest recruiting buzz on top 2026 prospects | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 released | Biggest Risers | Position-by-position breakdown
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | QB spotlight | RB spotlight | WR/TE spotlight | OL spotlight
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released | DL spotlight
Friday: State rankings released
NOTRE DAME HAS ONE BIG LB COMMIT, TRENDING FOR ANOTHER
Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has made a habit out of recruiting NFL legacy prospects as well as blue-chip defensive talent eager to take the path through South Bend to ultimately reach the NFL. Freeman kick-started the Irish's 2026 class last month by landing a commitment from four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., the son of former Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who pledged to Notre Dame over NC State and others after returning to campus for the win over Florida State.
The Irish are aiming to add more talent next to Davis at the position and have made significant progress with Tai'Yon King – affectionately nicknamed "Tank" – who has also made the trek from Texas to South Bend several times this past year, including for the Florida State contest in November.
Notre Dame is working to stave off in-state contenders Texas and Texas A&M with Tank, and currently are positioned well to do so as critical spring visits loom on the horizon.
TWO OF THE SOUTH'S BEST ARE COMMITTED TO SOUTH CAROLINA
Shane Beamer and South Carolina enjoyed a statement 2024 season in Columbia. Along the way, the arrow has continued to point up for the Gamecocks' recruiting efforts. South Carolina closed out the 2025 recruiting cycle with several key flips and some huge victories on the recruiting trail leading into National Signing Day, and have laid the groundwork for another big haul in 2026 as well.
The Gamecocks currently hold commitments from four-star linebackers J'Zavien Currence and Keenan Britt, top-15 prospects at their respective positions in the Rivals250. Currence plays QB for his high school and has shined playing multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. Britt took another step forward as the focal point of his high school defense, and provides a huge spark from the second level.
South Carolina is also squarely in the mix for newly minted four-star athlete Brayden Rouse, who is also getting courted to play linebacker and was in Columbia last month for a visit.
AUBURN LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR ELITE LB HAUL
Hugh Freeze and his Auburn staff dug out the spatula and found a ton of success during the 2025 recruiting cycle. That high-level recruiting at Auburn also resonated with recruits in the 2026 and 2027 cycles, and early on the Tigers have built up a strong foundation for the 2026 haul, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Auburn holds commitments from in-state blue-chip linebackers Shadarius Toodle and Jamichael Garrett, ranked Nos. 4 and 8 at their respective positions.
Toodle filled out the box sheet with his production as a junior for Mobile (Ala.) Cottage Hill Christian and Garrett was a force to be reckoned with week in and week out at nearby Gulf Shores (Ala.) High. Garrett has also become one of the Tigers' most active recruiters – and has his sights set on adding more talent to the defensive front seven in the forms of four-star linebacker Anthony Davis and five-star edge rusher Anthony Jones. Auburn should be in the mix until the finish with both priority targets.
