#TN2025 Linebackers to Watch in Week 10
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With another week of high school football action in the books, it’s time to once again visit the Volunteer State to highlight some highly explosive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that have made their presence known on…
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Continue ReadingWith another week of high school football action in the books, it’s time to once again visit the Volunteer State to highlight some highly explosive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that have made their presence known on the field this year. Today, we will be continuing my “Stock Up Performers” series as we take a look at some sophomore linebackers that should make for some entertaining football this upcoming Friday night. Without any further ado, here’s my list of some #TN2025 linebackers to keep an eye on in week 10 of the season.
At the top of my list of notable performers is Sam Haley Sam Haley 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Ensworth | 2025 State TN , a 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker at Ensworth High School. Haley and the Tigers picked up a 17-10 victory over Father Ryan in their most recent contest. What stands out about Haley is his ability to blast past the offense and get to the quarterback, utilizing his deceptive footwork and physicality to overwhelm the offensive line, apply pressure on the quarterback and make commanding stops. Another aspect of Haley’s playstyle that makes a huge defensive impact is his ability to defend the backfield and stop quick passing from along the edge.
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I am additionally impressed with Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN , a 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker at Page High School. Hazzard and the Patriots are coming off a 35-7 win over Hillsboro last week. What impresses me about Hazzard is his ability to push off defenders with his arm strength, quickly apply pressure on the quarterback and record sacks. Another aspect of Hazzard’s playstyle that impresses is his electric speed and physicality on his feet, proving he can suffocate the rush in the pocket and catch the running back along the edge. Hazzard can also block passes when pressuring the quarterback, using his wing span to attack the ball and disrupt production in the air.
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Claiming the number three spot on my list is Brenden Anes Brenden Anes 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Page | 2025 State TN , a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker at Page High School. Anes and the Patriots recently defeated Hillsboro by a final score of 35-7. What stands out about Anes on the defensive side is his explosive stopping power and ability to blast the quarterback to the ground, proving he can both record sacks and push the offense back a few yards. I also like how Anes can barrel through the offense to stop the rush and halt production on the ground in third-down scenarios. Anes also proved his disruptiveness from along the edge, sneaking through the pocket to get behind the running back for the tackle.
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Another skilled prospect to keep an eye on is Atticus Fiorita Atticus Fiorita 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Mt. Juliet | 2025 State TN , a 6-foot-4, 210-pound linebacker at Mt. Juliet High School. Fiorita and the Golden Bears remain undefeated on the year, escaping Lebanon 38-31 in double overtime last week. What makes Fiorita so impactful defensively is his quick execution off the snap as well as his explosive stopping power, showing off his speed and ability to quickly and consistently get to the quarterback. Fiorita also proved he can push the offense back behind the line of scrimmage by a few yards with his strength. Another aspect of Fiorita that impresses me is his ability to exert his strength on stops, increasing the chance of a fumble.
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Coming in at number five on my list is Kole Phillips Kole Phillips 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Rossview | 2025 TN , a 6-foot-1, 200-pound linebacker at Rossview High School. Phillips and the Hawks blasted past McGavock in a 30-0 blowout win this past week. What stands out most about Phillips is his ability to bully defenders and break up passes, disrupting offensive production in both the air and on the ground with his quick execution and ability to read the field. Another aspect of Phillips that stands out is his electric speed and ability to utilize his footwork and positioning, showcasing his precision on tackles and ability to cause disorganization among the offense.
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Also worth mentioning is Evan Plunkett Evan Plunkett 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Mount Pleasant Highschool | 2025 TN , a 6-foot-0, 205-pound linebacker at Mount Pleasant High School. Plunkett and the Tigers recently defeated East Hickman County by a final score of 35-0. In addition to his explosive attacking ability on kick returns, Plunkett impresses me with his defensive awareness, strength and ability to utilize his precision in the pocket, blasting past the defensive line with his relentless quickness and physicality. I’m additionally fond of how Plunkett uses bursts of speed to quickly stop the rush along the edge and apply pressure on the quarterback.