We are continuing our countdown to the 2026 high school football season with our players-to-watch list. Here is how they are being released:

Quarterbacks — https://powerstrengthpro.com/2026-quarterbacks-to-watch/

Running Backs — https://powerstrengthpro.com/running-backs-to-watch/

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends — https://powerstrengthpro.com/wide-receivers-tight-ends-to-watch/

Offensive/Defensive Linemen — https://powerstrengthpro.com/linemen-to-watch/

Linebackers — Tuesday, August 18

Defensive Backs — Tuesday, August 25

West Michigan high school football talent keeps coming with the linebacker group this season. 

We’ve got seasoned seniors, underclassmen already making an impact on Varsity, and more who are poised to make a name for themselves on the defensive side of the ball.

Here are the players to watch in the OK Conference and River Cities Alliance in alphabetical order:

Jude Allen — Unity Christian (‘28) A key piece in the middle of the Unity Christian defense heading into the season.

Brody Boodt — Spring Lake (’27) One of the returning defensive leaders for the Lakers this fall.

Colin Brott — Cedar Springs (‘27) Plays with a purpose on the outside for the Cedar Springs defense.

Wyatt Colson — Rockford (’27) Part of a deep Rockford linebacker corps, Colson was a starter last year as a Junior and should help make the Rams a tough defense once again.

Grayson Corlin — Northview (’27) A physical presence for Northview at the second level of the defense, he was a problem for opposing offenses in 2025.

Nash DeVries — Coopersville (’27) Expected to be a key contributor for a Coopersville defense on the rise in the River Cities Alliance.

Jael Djougem — West Catholic (’27) A rangy linebacker who gives West Catholic sideline-to-sideline coverage ability.

Michael Dodge — Forest Hills Northern (’28) An underclassman already trusted with a significant role on varsity. Dodge was solid on the Varsity as a Sophomore for the Huskies.

Reed Dommenick — Rockford (’28) Another name in Rockford’s talented linebacker group, developing behind a strong program pedigree.

Josh Eppard — Fruitport (’27) A steady tackler in the box for the Trojans, Eppard is versatile with his ability to step into the hole and make plays as well as chase down ball carriers.

Drew Ferrick — Forest Hills Eastern (’27) One half of a strong Forest Hills Eastern linebacker duo entering this season.

Andrew Fisher — Mona Shores (’27) A physical, instinctive defender for one of the OK Conference’s perennial contenders.

Evan Fisk — Sparta (’29) A Sophomore already earning varsity reps in the River Cities Alliance — one to watch for years to come.

Connor Helminski — Forest Hills Eastern (’27) Helminski was really good as an outside linebacker last year. The Hawks’ defense will lean on him heavily this Fall.

Jackson Iciek — Hopkins (’27) A tone-setter for the Hopkins defense in the box.

Dacari Johnson — Muskegon (’28) Part of a talented, athletic Muskegon defense with a track record of sending players to the next level.

Jason Korte — Rockford (’27) Another key returner in Rockford’s deep linebacker unit.

Jon Libera — Cedar Springs (‘27) A physical downhill presence for the Red Hawks defense.

Aidan Lively — Rockford (’28) An emerging name in a Rockford program known for its defensive depth.

Caden Meyering — Byron Center (’27) A leader in the middle of the Byron Center defense.

Ryan Montgomery — West Ottawa (’28) A young, physical linebacker already making his presence felt for the Panthers.

Dawson Morgan — Lowell (’27) One of the top returning defenders for a Lowell program that made the state semifinals last year in division 3.

Niko Moungkhoun — Zeeland West (’27) A consistent tackler for the Dux heading into the fall.

Elliott Neff — Thornapple Kellogg (’27) I am adding Neff to the linebackers to watch, as that is where most recruiting sites place him. The Kansas commit played safety and wide receiver last year for the Trojans and will make plays no matter where you put him.

Camden Peter — Thornapple Kellogg (’27) Has great instincts at linebacker and gives TK experience and physicality at the second level.

Noah Raap — Coopersville (’28) An up-and-coming piece of Coopersville’s growing defensive identity.

Brady Ramm — Rockford (’28) Another young talent in Rockford’s linebacker pipeline.

Luke Ratke — Grand Haven (’27) A key returner for a Grand Haven defense looking to make noise this fall.

Nathan Reurink — Wayland (’29) A Sophomore already drawing attention for his early varsity potential.

Spencer Rosenberger — Cedar Springs (‘27) The leader of a stacked linebacker corps for the Red Hawks.

Max Schnichels — Spring Lake (’28) A young playmaker who is poised to shine in the Lakers 5 linebacker set.

Ben Skinner — Coopersville (’27) A veteran presence for a Coopersville defense on the rise.

Heath Snell — Rockford (’28) Rounds out a deep group of Rockford linebackers worth watching all season long.

Tanner Snip — GR Catholic Central (’28) A key part of the Cougars loaded junior class, Snip gained valuable experience on Varsity as a sophomore.

Kefa Tamminga — Hamilton (’27) A steady force in the middle of the Hamilton defense.

Chris Thompson II — East Kentwood (’27) Part of a talented East Kentwood defense with a strong track record of college-level production.

Charlie Thornton — Rockford (’27) Thornton has all the tools necessary to be one of the top players in West Michigan. He will be circled by opponents all season long.

Logan Uyl — Caledonia (’28) A returning starter as a Junior, Uyl has shown the ability to make plays all over the field.

Greyson Veltman — Plainwell (’28) A gifted athlete who loves football, Veltman was All-Conference as a sophomore.

Maverick Vreugdenhil — Grandville (’29) A Sophomore already making an early impression at the Varsity level.

Parks Vugteveen — Hudsonville (’27) A key player who will allow Hudsonville’s defense to continue to play at a high level despite graduation losses. Vugteveen is committed to Northwood.

Jack Weiss — South Christian (’27) Has a nose for the football and is a physical presence anchoring the South Christian defense.

Steele Wharton-Bickley — Grand Haven (’27) A talented athlete who has built himself into one of the area’s most physical linebackers — read more about his journey here: https://powerstrengthpro.com/grand-haven/

Zander Yost — Kenowa Hills (’27) Plays much bigger than his 5’10”, 195-lb frame in the middle of the Knights defense.

This is just a snapshot of the linebacker talent across the area heading into the season.

There may not be many who are already committed, but there is a lot of college talent in this group.

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