Are you ready for football? Because we are. With the 2026-27 FHSAA athletic calendar officially getting underway recently with the start of fall practice, the excitement, sights and sounds from Friday Night Lights are so close, you can almost taste it. Many area teams will play their respective preseason Kickoff Classic games on Friday before kicking off the regular season the following week. The area’s SSAA teams are a week ahead, with their regular season beginning Friday.
As that journey begins, TCPalm is forecasting the players at their respective positions who are expected to shine during that stretch. Whether they've put up solid stats the previous season(s) or have the interest of schools at the next level, these athletes are expected to have starring roles in 2026. We'll break down all position groups, from skills positions to the guys in the trenches. Today, we examine the players that navigate the middle of the defense. Here are TCPalm's best area linebackers entering this upcoming season, in alphabetical order. Best Florida high school football LBs on the Treasure Coast for 2026 Chris Bazile, Sr., Fort Pierce Central
Prior to transferring to Fort Pierce Central, Bazile excelled last season for a first-year Legacy program without any seniors. As a junior, the 6-foot, 190-pound linebacker led the Lions in total tackles (92), tackles for loss (20) and forced fumbles (6). He also had two sacks, two fumble recoveries and four passes defended. David Beasley, Sr., Jensen Beach
Beasley's arrival at the Birdcage brings an added element to the Falcons defense. With Beasley patrolling the middle, other players such as Alex Thornton and Gage Wilson will be free to create disruptions elsewhere on the field. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior last played for St. Lucie West Centennial, where he collected 52 tackles and one sack. Vance Brandes, Sr., Vero Beach The first of three Vero Beach linebackers on this list, Brandes was the leading tackler for a Centennial team that qualified for the FIT 4A-7A playoffs last season. He recorded 65 tackles to go with two sacks and an interception. Brandes currently holds an offer from Chowan. Marquez Burgess, Sr., Fort Pierce Central
The Cobras lost numerous players up front and in the secondary from last season's outstanding team. However, Burgess is a returning contributor to a linebacker corps expected to be a strength. He recorded 74 tackles in 2025, good for second among returning players. Burgess also had five quarterback hurries, four tackles for loss and one sack. Anthony Correa, Sr., John Carroll Catholic Nicknamed "Chucky," Correa was the second-leading tackler for a Rams team that reached the regional quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. The 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker recorded 59 tackles, more than four times his total from the previous season. He had a season-high 13 tackles in the team's postseason loss to American Heritage. Quinten Dacres, So., South Fork
Dacres recorded an interception in the first football game in Legacy School history. He continued to produce as the season progressed. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker led the team in sacks (5) and forced fumbles (3) while ranking second in tackles for loss (17). After finishing with 55 tackles, Dacres hopes to replicate that production with the Bulldogs. Josh Dean, Jr., John Carroll Catholic
Rams coach Mickey Groody was quick to identify this junior as a player poised for a breakout season, highlighting his physicality and leadership from the middle linebacker position. Dean, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 215 pounds, was among John Carroll's leading tacklers last season, totaling 49 tackles, one sack and one interception. Malachi Francois, Sr., Fort Pierce Westwood
Francois earned TCPalm All-Area second-team honors last season after providing a strong presence for a Panthers team that made a run through the FIT postseason. He finished with 55 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss. His seven sacks ranked second on the team. Kaden Huggins, Jr., Vero Beach Like Brandes, Huggins joins the area's powerhouse after transferring from Centennial. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound edge rusher is a three-star prospect with Division I offers from Maryland and Syracuse. This will be his first season at linebacker after playing defensive end for the Eagles, where he recorded 41 tackles and three sacks last season. Deion Jackson, Sr., Vero Beach
One of the area's most sought-after prospects is shifting positions. During his time at Fort Pierce Westwood and Legacy, Jackson played primarily at outside linebacker. For his lone season at Vero Beach, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound three-star recruit moves to the middle. Jackson holds 16 offers, including Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Notre Dame and South Florida. Last season at Legacy, he recorded 63 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss. Jarimyah Owens, Sr., Fort Pierce Central Playing on a defense that thrived on creating turnovers, Owens displayed a knack for finding the football. He showcased his mobility and coverage skills last season with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He ranked fifth on the team with 61 tackles, including four for loss. Owens had a season-high 14 tackles in a Showdown victory over Westwood and 12 tackles in the team's playoff loss to Dr. Phillips. Wyatt Parks Sr., Martin County After helping the Martin County baseball team reach its first state semifinal in 58 years, Parks delivered two clutch home runs during a decisive Game 3 comeback in the regional finals. Now a senior, he plans to deliver plenty more big hits on the football field. Parks was a breakout performer during Martin County's run to a district football title. He is the team's top returning tackler with 73. The linebacker also recorded three sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Alex Thornton, Sr., Jensen Beach A four-year varsity player and one of the area's hardest hitters, Thornton is the heart and soul of the Falcons defense. Although he occasionally roams to safety, his impact is felt most at linebacker. Thornton holds eight Division I offers, including Richmond, Air Force and West Georgia. While helping Jensen Beach win a district title, he recorded 42 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and a fumble-return touchdown. Eldrick Warren, Jr., Treasure Coast Warren is a versatile presence who can line up at middle linebacker or on the outside to create havoc off the edge. The 6-foot, 190-pound linebacker finished his sophomore season with 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one sack. Expect Warren to shine for a Titans team looking to reclaim its former glory. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 14 linebackers to watch for the 2026 high school football season