As we prepare for the start of the 2026 Ohio high school football season, we’re breaking down the top players by position. Throughout the preseason, we’re ranking Greater Canton’s top 10 quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players.
Today, we look at the top 10 linebackers, starting with 2025 Ohio Mr. Football finalist Brayton Feister of Massillon.
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1, Brayton Feister
Massillon, Class of 2027
Feister was an Ohio Mr. Football finalist at Hoban a season ago before transferring to the Massillon district. Feister was the Division II Co-Defensive Player of the Year and should have a massive impact for the Tigers. Feister made 133 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions last season (in addition to being a 1,000-yard rusher offensively). He has Division I offers from the likes of California, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon.
2, Antonio Stevens
McKinley, Class of 2027
Stevens is a returning three-year starter who was third-team All-Ohio last year and first-team All-Stark County. He led the Bulldogs in tackles (105) last year and made 14 tackles for loss. Expect to see plenty of the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Stevens around the ball again this season.
3, Amare Mitchell
McKinley, Class of 2027
Mitchell is another playmaker at linebacker for McKinley who should continue to make a massive impact. He had 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. Mitchell was a Repository All-Stark County honorable mention last year and has verbally committed to Ball State.
4, Jakob Garber
Northwest, Class of 2027
Northwest always seems to field a top-notch defense under head coach John DeMarco and that should be no exception this fall. Garber was a first-team All-PAC-7 pick last fall at middle linebacker. Garber moves sideline-to-sideline well and is a versatile athlete who also is an elite punter. He averaged an area-best 40.3 yards per punt in 2025. Garber has Division I interest from Yale, Princeton, Brown, Penn, Bowling Green and Kent State.
5, Conner Stephenson
Northwest, Class of 2027
Garber isn’t the only All-PAC-7 first-team selection returning at linebacker for Northwest this fall, as Stephenson is back after being first-team all-league in 2025. He also was named first-team All-Northeast Inland District when he made 12 tackles for loss with 4.5 sacks. Stephenson also was a state qualifier in the discus for the track and field team.
6, Luke Mazon
Jackson, Class of 2027
The 6-3, 275-pound Mazon is an elite pass rusher who should help apply the pressure for the Jackson defense. He had eight sacks last season, second most in the Federal League and on the team, on the way to being All-Federal League honorable mention.
7, Colton Dougherty
Louisville, Class of 2027
A key leader and a physical force at middle linebacker for Louisville. Dougherty makes an impression with his size (6-2, 220) and his transition from defensive lineman was a success last year. Dougherty is a great athlete, who also is a factor at running back, and should continue to make plays for the Leopard defense.
8, Brody Fast
Alliance, Class of 2027
Fast has a non-stop motor and seems to be in on nearly every tackle made by the Alliance defense. He had 116 tackles last season and racked up 70 tackles the previous season as a sophomore. Fast was second-team All-Eastern Buckeye Conference last year and will be counted on for leadership after the Aviators lost some top players to graduation.
9, Kam Worner
Green, Class of 2027
Worner returns after earning second-team All-Federal League in 2025. He was the second-leading tackler for the Bulldogs (58). A three-year starter, Worner also made two interceptions last season.
10, Shannon Billiter
Lake, Class of 2027
Billiter steps into a starting role at inside linebacker for the Blue Streaks this season. Billiter saw varsity action last season and recorded 47 tackles. He also will be in the running back rotation on offense so expect to see plenty of Billiter all over the field this fall.
Reach cliff at cliff.hickman@cantonrep.com
On X: @chickmanREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football’s Top 10 Stark County linebackers to watch
Reporting by Cliff Hickman, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cliff Hickman, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
