The countdown to the Michigan high school football season has nearly reached single digits.
The first kickoffs, scheduled for Aug. 27 all across the state, are just around the corner. A furious, nine-week dash to be one of the 32 playoff teams in their respective division will fly by once the games begin.
In the fifth edition of the Free Press’ statewide positional previews as a lead-in to the season, we will be going over the top linebackers in Michigan. Linebackers are often seen as the quarterback of the defense, calling out plays and making sure alignment is correct. The best are not just signal-callers, but heat-seeking missiles that swarm ballcarriers to rack up tackle after tackle.
Here are the top linebackers entering the 2026 season. Check out the links below for positions covered in previous weeks. The final edition of the position previews will cover defensive backs next week.
1. Bryce Barbarino, senior, Saline
Barbarino is at the center of anything for a Hornets defense set up to succeed in 2026. Barbarino earned Division 1 All-State honors in 2025 with 151 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior can quickly diagnose plays and put himself in the right position to make a play. On top of his game smarts, Barbarino is an elite athlete who closes gaps in an instant, allowing him to fill gaps on runs or make open-space tackles with ease. He headlines Saline’s three-headed linebacking crew, along with Caleb Harris and Gabe Iadipaolo.
Barbarino is verbally committed to Western Michigan.
2. Bryce Kish, senior, Howell
Kish is a two-way standout for the defending KLAA champions. Also featured as a top running back in Howell’s ground-heavy offense, Kish is a future Power 4 edge leading the Highlanders. He played as a stand-up outside linebacker who frequently crept up to the line last year, but described himself as an edge, so maybe his hand will be in the dirt more as a senior.
As a junior, Kish had 28 tackles, including four for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble. He looks the part at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He has quick feet in tight spaces, which helps him both as a pass rusher and tailback; he has great speed in pursuit and delivers hard hits.
Kish is verbally committed to Clemson.
3. Collin Sumpter, senior, Detroit Cass Tech
Sumpter is an aggressive leader located in the heart of Cass Tech’s defense. As one of two stack linebackers in the defense last year, Sumpter recorded triple-digit tackles and 20 tackles for loss, earning All-City honors.
Sumpter will move between linebacker and nickel in 2026, similar to current Pittsburgh freshman Marcus Jennings’ role in 2026. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior is a sure tackler, has the speed to be an asset in coverage and willingly fills gaps to light up a running back.
Sumpter is verbally committed to Miami (Ohio).
4. B.J. Adams, senior, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Adams is a two-way standout for the two-time defending Division 2 champions. Adams contributed as part of the Eaglets’ deep receiver rotation and was a playmaker at outside linebacker. Adams is a defensive leader and a team captain.
Adams, 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, recorded 23 tackles, two sacks, three pass break-ups and one forced fumble to go along with 479 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver. Adams moves fluidly at his size and excels attacking the line of scrimmage as an aggressor on the edge of the box.
Adams is verbally committed to Central Michigan.
5. Jalen Montlouis, senior, Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Montlouis is an outstanding athlete and sure-handed tackler in the second level of the defending Division 1 champions. He had 73 tackles as a junior as an outstanding run-stopper that could also drop into shallow coverage.
He excels at diagnosing plays and quickly putting himself where he needs to be. He can set up blockers in open space and quickly duck under a block to chop down a ball carrier. The 6-foot, 210-pound senior has elite testing speeds and leaping ability, demonstrating he is an all-around athlete.
Montlouis is verbally committed to Grand Valley State.
6. Carter Czapski, senior, Utica
Czapski is a two-way star for a Utica team that made some noise in 2025 and is looking to build on it. Czapski, a 2025 All-East selection, will be a three-year starter at middle linebacker and wing back in Utica’s wing-T offense.
In 2025, Czapski recorded 93 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three pass break-ups and three forced fumbles. He rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns, while primarily serving as a lead blocker on offense. Czapski is an instinctual linebacker who flies around the field, utilizing his plus athleticism at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds.
Czapski is verbally committed to Grand Valley State.
7. Jael Djouguem, senior, Grand Rapids West Catholic
Djouguem is an instinctual leader in the middle of the defense for the defending Division 5 champions. Djougem led the Falcons with 125 tackles while playing both ways at middle linebacker and tight end.
The 6-foot, 205-pound senior is part of a three-man linebacker crew along with Deacon Parslow and Collin Abram, who was knocking on the door of this list as well. Djouguem is a great athlete, leader, and a big-game performer who has an undisputed nose for the ball as one of the top tacklers in the state.
The Falcons will be a D-5 contender again in 2026, and Djouguem should be a big reason why.
8. Antonio LaLama, junior, Romeo
LaLama had a solid first season as a starter in the middle of a quality Romeo defense that helped win a MAC Red and district championship. LaLama showed he was a great coverage linebacker as a sophomore, especially in zone coverage.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior is another smart player in the middle of the defense. He can quickly diagnose plays or route combinations, and fires to the ball to create a play.
LaLama has two Division 1 offers and schedules set up with Michigan State, Nebraska, Cincinnati, Army and Bowling Green this fall.
9. Gannon Limotte, senior, South Lyon
Limotte is a dynamic two-way player who provides impact at outside linebacker and as a blocking tight end in South Lyon’s run-centric offense. He is a big presence at 6 feet 3 and 200 pounds and weaponizes that size on the field.
Limotte accounted for over 50 solo tackles as a junior. He also thrived in coverage, often having to take on tough assignments in zone or out of the slot. He has outstanding ball skills as a defender, which also helps with his great pass coverage.
He is verbally committed to Eastern Michigan.
10. Dacari Johnson, junior, Muskegon
Johnson had an impact as a sophomore starter for the Big Reds. He had 70 tackles and six pass breakups as one of the leaders in the middle of Muskegon’s defense.
Johnson, at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, can cover the whole field in pursuit. He is fast in diagnosis and pursuit, and has the strength to make sure he doesn’t miss many tackles.
He has a few college offers, including one Division 1 from Miami (Ohio).
Honorable mention
Honorable mention players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Collin Abram, Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Roland Berry, River Rouge.
Broghan Bupp, Ithaca.
Amari Eldridge, Warren Cousino.
Jude Galvas, New Lothrop.
Harper Griffiths, Jonesville.
Kolin Griffiths, Hanover-Horton.
Luke Grochowski, Birmingham Brother Rice.
Armani Hegmon, Roseville.
Deondre Hill, Birmingham Brother Rice.
T.J. Hosler, Goodrich.
Gade Iadipaolo, Saline.
Mikhi Jones, Harper Woods.
Ryan Kerry, Rockford.
Throop Linnell, Grosse Pointe South.
Lucas Lesoski, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker.
Deacon Parslow, Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Luke Perkins, Milford.
Tanner Snip, Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Dominic Stein, Maple City Glen Lake.
Jesse White, Harper Woods.
Nominate a high school athlete for the Detroit Free Press boys and girls athlete of the week.
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan high school football: Top 10 linebackers entering 2026 season
Reporting by Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
