Top committed linebackers in the 2026 Rivals Industry Ranking

With nearly all of the nation’s top linebackers committed heading into the fall, Rivals looks at which schools have secured those commitments.

Of the nation’s top 50 players at the position, 48 are currently pledged to a school with four-star DQ Forkpa and three-star Jacob Curry as the only current holdouts. The class features a pair of five-stars and nearly 30 blue-chippers in total, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

1. Tyler Atkinson – Texas

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 12
School: Grayson (Ga.)

One of the nation’s premier linebackers since he started high school football a few years ago, Atkinson is an absolute tackling machine. Across his first three seasons at the prep level, he was credited with more than 450 combined stops, including 76 tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks. He is already off to a strong start as a senior as well with 16 tackles, 8 TFLs and a pair of sacks in the the two games he has stats listed for. He committed to Texas in August, spurning in-state Georgia and a host of other programs.

2. Xavier Griffin – Alabama

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 20
School: Gainesville (Ga.)

Griffin was an early commit to USC before backing off that decision back in May. Exactly a month later, he committed to the Crimson Tide over Florida State, Texas and Ohio State. As a junior, his season was marred by injuries but he still managed 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks while playing on only eight games. This year, the Red Elephants are off to a 3-1 start with Griffin totaling 14 tackles and a pair of sacks.

3. Izayia Williams – Florida State

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 66
School: Tavares (Fla.)

It’s hard to point to a more roller-coaster recruitment in recent memory than that of Izayia Williams. One of the nation’s premier linebackers, he has made six commitments to five different schools in the past two years. He was at one time committed to: Louisville, Syracuse, Florida State, Florida and Ole Miss before flipping back to the Seminoles last month. On the field, he’s one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers at the linebacker position, boasting excellent track speed and notching 125 tackles (15 TFLs), and 4 sacks as a junior. He is, however, set to miss all of his senior season with a knee injury suffered during spring practices.

4. Cincere Johnson – Ohio State

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 70
School: Glenville (Ohio)

Scouting Summary: “A thumping linebacker who brings versatility as a front-seven defender. Measured at around 6-foot-2, 240 pounds before his senior season. Arms measure a shade under 33 inches to go with big hands. Primarily lines up as an inside linebacker on Friday nights. At his best when flowing downhill as a blitzer and run defender. Sees plays quickly and triggers with gusto. Has the play strength to deconstruct blocks and shed to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. A strong tackler on contact and finishes with physicality. Instincts allow him to play fast. Could potentially outgrow linebacker, as he is already heavier than most top prospects at the position. Will need to continue improving his speed, despite his instincts allowing for quick diagnosis. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years old in July before his senior season.” — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

5. Talanoa Ili – USC

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 83
School: Kahuku (Hawaii)

Ili has been a presence at the high school level for a couple years now, first starring at Orange Lutheran (Calif.) before moving out to Hawaii for his senior season. As a junior, he helped the Lancers to an 8-4 record in arguably the toughest league in the country. He did so while racking up 78 tackles (8 TFL) and a pair of forced fumbles. USC, UCLA and a long list of other schools battled for his services, the but the hometown Trojans ultimately won out.

6. Brayden Rouse – Tennessee

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 95
School: Kell (Ga.)

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is already built like a college linebacker. He’s part of a strong defensive class for the Vols, alongside TJ White, Hezekiah Harris and a host of others. Rouse doesn’t just look the part though, he is one of the most productive ‘backer in the talent-rich Peach State. Last fall as a junior, he totaled 111 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, causing all sorts of problems for opposing offenses. He is back at it again this fall, leading Kell with 26 tackles across the team’s first five games.

7. TJ White – Tennessee

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 96
School: Jackson Academy (Miss.)

As a junior, White established himself as one of Mississippi’s most disruptive defensive forces, making 102 tackles. More than 20 of those came for loss, in addition to 11 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He drew interest from across the country, but largely focused only on Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida State and Auburn. Each of the four schools got an official visit over the summer. And in July, he chose the Vols and helped to kickstart a ton of momentum on the recruiting trail for Josh Heupel and Co.

8. Julian Manson – Iowa

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 199
School: Iowa City West (Iowa)

Manson doesn’t hail from a traditional talent hotbed like others on this list, but he has drawn the attention of coaches and recruiting evaluators all the way up to Iowa. While playing on both sides of the ball for West, he tied for the state lead in receiving touchdowns in 2024 with 13. He did that while catching 52 passer for more than 900 yards. And on the defensive side, he notched 86.5 tackles. The son of former Iowa quarterback Jason Manson, he committed to the local school in June and has skyrocketed up the rankings this fall.

9. Thomas Davis Jr. – Notre Dame

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 211
School: Weddington (N.C.)

If you’re wondering, yes, Davis is the son of former NFL Pro Bowler and 16-year league veteran Thomas Davis Sr. And he looks to be following in his father’s footsteps as a menace for opposing offenses to deal with. Over the past three seasons playing for North Carolina powerhouse Weddington, Davis has combined to make more than 185 tackles with 23.5 of those coming for loss. A varsity contributor since he was a freshman, Davis had his pick of schools but chose Notre Dame in November 2024.

10. DaQuives Beck – Texas A&M

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 214
School: Carthage (Texas)

Linebacker is a huge priority for the Aggies in the 2026 class, and few of them are better in the Lone Star State than Beck. He broke out as a sophomore in 2023 with 132 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 6 sacks to help lead Carthage to a state title. He followed that up as a junior by notching 102 tackles, 21 TFLs, 5 sacks, 31 quarterback pressures, and a pair of defensive touchdowns. In the state title game, he was named the defensive MVP after leading Carthage with 10 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and a sack. In July, he chose the Aggies over rival Texas.