Which linebackers are the tackling machines to watch for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida entering the 2026 season?
As the clock ticks down toward the start of the season, here’s a closer look at some of the area’s best in Florida high school football. On Friday, Aug. 21, Jacksonville-area schools begin the march toward the Florida High School Athletic Association championships on deck for this December in Miami, the first season since the end of the Rural Class and the FHSAA’s realignment to six classes. Last year, Raines brought home Jacksonville’s first state title since 2021.
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Here’s the Times-Union’s ranking of the area’s best LBs.
Ty Street, Middleburg
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 210
High-energy tackler transferred to the Broncos during the off-season. While at Fleming Island, he recorded 91 tackles, 10 for loss, and a pair of interceptions.
Matthew Hammett, University Christian
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-2, 210
An all-around force on defense for Class 1A regional finalists. Recorded 98 tackles (14 1/2 for loss) with five sacks, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions in his junior season at UC. Committed to The Citadel in June ahead of more than a dozen other college football offers.
Israel Hayward, Atlantic Coast
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-4, 215
Could play either outside linebacker or edge rusher. Good upper-body strength displayed in javelin success, as a two-time state track qualifier with a personal best above 170 feet. Recorded 3 1/2 sacks last year after transferring from Providence. Father, Reggie Hayward, played nine NFL seasons with 39 1/2 sacks. Committed to Army in July over offers including Bowling Green, Delaware State and Florida A&M.
Brett Bearden, Bolles
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-2, 220
Strong, powerful linebacker recorded 58 tackles and a fumble recovery as Bulldogs qualified for Class 2A final. Multi-sport athlete has also placed in state wrestling in consecutive seasons in the 215-pound division. Listed offers include Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky.
Christian Hayes, Bolles
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 210
Active on defense for Class 2A runners-up in 2025. Hayes finished the year with 90 tackles, 15 for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Listed offers include Charleston Southern and Tennessee-Martin.
Jaison Brown, Yulee
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-1, 210
A big part of a Hornets defense that improved significantly in 2025. Brown finished his sophomore year with 95 tackles, 10 for loss, plus three and a half sacks and two fumble recoveries. His early offers include East Carolina.
Johdeem Jones, Raines
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 205
Recorded 47 tackles, four for loss, with a sack, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2025. Made interception in state title game leading to a momentum-shifting touchdown. Also a district and regional shot put champion for Raines’ state-winning track and field team. Colorado was among schools to express early interest.
Mason Beane, St. Augustine
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 5-11, 200
A magnet for the football who never stops chasing. Recorded 142 tackles, 14 for loss, and a pass breakup in 2025. Plays mostly as middle linebacker but also had eight sacks for regional finalists.
Cory Matthews, Mandarin
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-3, 200
A three-star recruit for Rivals. Coming off a season with 93 tackles, 12 1/2 for loss, plus two sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble for regional finalist Mandarin. Matthews is a multi-skilled athlete who also won a Gateway Conference baseball championship while at Atlantic Coast. Listed offers include Duke, Maryland and West Virginia.
Terrell Pinkney II, Trinity Christian
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-3, 195
The three-star recruit committed to South Florida in June, picking the Bulls over numerous other offers including Georgia Tech, Pitt and West Virginia. Plays in a combination linebacker/secondary role at Trinity and could appear in various defensive positions at the next level. Limited to five games in 2025 due to injury, but showed significant potential as a sophomore with 36 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ranking Jacksonville area’s best LBs in Florida high school football
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
