Justin Thayer Has Found His Spot in the Middle of Lone Peak’s Defense

This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.

Lone Peak senior linebacker Justin Thayer has 78 tackles this season, along with pass breakups, a fumble recovery, sacks and tackles for loss. His defense carried the Knights to a 14-7 win at Lehi last week.

"We started off a little bit not as stout as we wanted to, but we figured it out and still only gave up seven points," Thayer said. His favorite play came on special teams: "Everyone blocking, and Krew Robinson just gets to walk into the end zone." Then the defense held on late. "Just dogging it out and just everybody doing their job, firing off and holding them at the end," he said.

Lone Peak is 4-5 after a schedule that included IMG Academy and Bishop Gorman, plus one-possession losses to American Fork and Skyridge. "We had the tougher schedule to just try and toughen our team up, and it's worked," Thayer said. "Once we get some of our guys back and we just finally hit our rhythm for playoffs, I think we're going to be dangerous."

He had 11 tackles against IMG. "We can stand with the best in the nation," he said. "There's no reason we should be scared of any new teams." His best game came against American Fork, with five tackles for loss and a sack. "I got to blitz a lot," he said. "I was basically like a fifth D-lineman on a lot of plays."

Thayer missed his freshman year in Texas with a collarbone injury, moved to Utah, played JV tight end as a sophomore and defensive end as a junior. This spring, Lone Peak moved him to middle linebacker. "Just feels great to just have more space," he said. "I'm still fast and I can just do everything kind of in the passing, in the run."

The hardest hit he took came at Corner Canyon, playing with a loose chinstrap in the rain. "I couldn't really see my left eye for the rest of the half," he said.

Lone Peak hosts Bingham on Thursday, Oct. 15.