Reviewing the 2026 Linebacker Class

In this episode of Stay Hot: A Sports Podcast, hosts Bladen Kirk, Matthew Sponauer, and Theo Ash dive deep into the 2026 NFL Draft's linebacker class, offering detailed evaluations of top prospects. The discussion centers on Arvel Reese and Sonny Styles as the consensus top two, with Reese praised for his elite physicality, play-finishing ability, and downhill dominance, despite concerns about his edge rusher projection and lack of bend. Styles is lauded for his coverage fluidity and man-to-man eraser potential, though questioned for occasional mental lapses and slow reactions. The trio then rank CJ Allen as their third choice—admiring his classic linebacker profile, high football IQ, and physicality—followed by Anthony Hill and Jake Golday, with Golday drawing particular interest for his athleticism and Packers-like fit in a positionless defense. Other prospects like Jacob Rodriguez (high fumble total, poor tackling technique), Trotter (extreme downhill focus), and Kyle Lewis (slot hybrid potential) are discussed as honorable mentions. The episode wraps with a sponsor plug for Spark Energy, followed by a humorous outro about Theo’s upcoming knee surgery.