#PRZTN Film Room: Linebackers (New Sr Clips)
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Staying in the lab as we inch closer to our new Senior Rankings, here we dive deeper into the linebackers & this crop turns out to be much deeper than previous thought as we have 40 plus prospects with D1,…
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Continue ReadingStaying in the lab as we inch closer to our new Senior Rankings, here we dive deeper into the linebackers & this crop turns out to be much deeper than previous thought as we have 40 plus prospects with D1, FCS capabilities.
#TN2024 Linebackers
Aggressive, fast and violent are the first three traits you recognize about Beach when you turn on his senior film. This guy flies around the field like a tornado and when he makes contact, you will feel because Beach plays a physical brand of football. He fits the middle linebacker role perfectly as he works very well against the run where he reads the play, fills the gap then explodes to the ball without hesitation. The Firebirds senior backer takes on and sheds blocks well and a lot of that is due to his speed and physicality. Beach isn’t just a middle backer that plays against the run but he can also play in space, versus the pass. This guy is a really good athlete that will continue to develop further in this area as he grows and matures. Beach recently committed to Austin Peay and the Govs got a steal as I feel this Mid-TN talent is a definite D1 guy but a sleeper Power Five prospect with tremendous upside. Senior Film
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Probably nobody on this list took a bigger step with their game and recruiting stock than Feggins as the Cherokees senior linebacker had an outstanding senior season that will place him among the Top 100 prospect from the #TN2024 class. Aggressive with range and a violent approach to the game, Feggins is your perfect middle linebacker prospect as he brings physicality, smarts and athletic playmaking abilities to the playing field. He is outstanding against the run and shows on film improved coverage skills and increased speed to play versus the pass. This East TN talent is also a strong leader that plays a consistent brand of football along with being dependable. Feggins is definitely a name to watch over the next few weeks as new schools could look to get involved with this physical tackling machine. Senior Film
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A versatile defensive prospect with size and range, Lawrence is a hybrid linebacker/safety prospect that brings a multi tooled skillset to the field that can be utilized in several ways on the collegiate gridiron. This Fall football season was his best yet as Lawrence was a ball hawk that increased his overall speed and range along with adding more football knowledge. The Cougars senior defender tracks the ball very well then uses his speed to pursue the ball and finish with controlled violence. What I like the most about Lawrence is his athleticism and defensive versatility. You can rush him into the backfield, play him at backer against the run or drop back into the “Star” position and play in coverage. There is also tons of growth Lawrence that leads me to think that his best football is ahead of him and college coaches have noticed this as well. Senior Film
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Earlier this year in the spring season, Marshall began to turn heads and make a name for himself in camp season then he proceeded to continue that strong play during the Fall football season. The Patriots senior two-way talent does play QB for his team but myself and collegiate coaches view this 6’2 205 pound athlete as a linebacker that brings versatility to the defensive side of the ball. Marshall is a good athlete with height, length and good foot speed to either play the edge or work the middle against the run. He shows on film explosive flashes where he darts to the ball with quickness, displaying excellent range and violent hitting. His athleticism also allows him to drop into coverage and work well against the pass. Marshall still has some learning and growing to do but the tools and upside are there to develop into a serviceable college linebacker. Senior Film
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Recently taking himself off the board with a commitment to Princeton, Moore will be one of the biggest risers in our linebacker rankings when they are released soon and it’s based off a stellar senior year that shows increased skills that make this Nashville area defender a sleeper D1 prospect. Moore is a big dude with a large and wide upper body that translates well to the next level along with the physicality, pursuit and speed to develop even further within the college game. This guy’s effort is unquestionable as Moore competes every play like it’s his last and he doesn’t stop till he hits somebody. His ability to take on and shed blocks then pursue to the ball makes the Big Red linebacker fit well on the outside but Moore has the smarts and skill set to excel at middle backer as well. Senior Film
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One of the fastest linebackers from our #TN2024 class, Dickson is a heat seeking missile that enjoys hitting people while being a playmaker from the defensive side of the ball that can line up in multiple spots. Looking over his senior film, Dickson has gotten bigger, which is a great thing but he has also ramped up his speed too while adding more football knowledge. The Green Devils senior product is diagnosing plays earlier now then attacking without hesitation and blockers have had a hard time blocking him up. Dickson is a bit undersized but he makes up for it with his speed, ferocious mentality and violence he brings when coming in for the tackle. His role on the next level fits best inside but because of his speed, Dickson could line up in the slot to play in space or rush upfield. His versatility on defense is an excellent trait to be translated to the college game that I feel will only get better with more development and continued coaching. Senior Film
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Burruss has burst onto the scene in a big way this Fall as one of the top breakthrough linebackers from our #TN2024 class and someone that has taken his recruiting stock to another level. Making a full transition over the linebacker this year, Burruss took advantage by showing off his instincts, speed and violence as well as his ability to cover in space. The Cavs senior defender excels versus run as he diagnoses the run early then attacks without hesitation and punishes the ball carrier while doing so. Due to his speed, you could put Burruss on the edge at times and ask him to rush the backfield and I believe he would do well. He fits the middle backer role perfectly but his natural athletic abilities allow coaches to move him around. Several FCS programs are looking into this Mid-TN talent right now and I feel some D1 schools could be involved soon too but either way, Burruss has turned himself into a legitimate college prospect. Senior Film
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Scott went from an unknown as a junior inside the recruiting circle towards becoming one of the best at his position from the East Tennessee region and is now a prospect that has jumped on several D1, FCS radars. What college coaches are liking about the Rebels senior linebacker is his physical approach to the field along with his quick decision making and burst towards the football. Scott fits the bill of a middle linebacker in college but he is fast enough to work off the edge if needed as this East TN talent can provide a pass rush to the backfield. He does need to continue bulking up and adding a few more pounds to his frame but the tools are there to develop into a heat seeking missile against the run that can also be a problem for the opposing quarterback. Senior Film
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One of the biggest risers on this list, McKim is a name to look deeper into as he brings the physical traits and athletic skill set to his edge linebacker position that transitions well to the college game but right now, he sits under the radar. This has been a breakout senior year for McKim as he is a strong piece among one of the best defense’s in the state and a current undefeated team. Where this Williamson Co. edge defender has made his mark is rushing the backfield and he does so with a fierce, aggressive nature along with speed and violence. McKim has a big time motor that does not slow down till he finds the ball but he can also pull back off the line and play in space against the pass. The Bruins senior linebacker has length and a wide radius to cover up the edge against the run as well. McKim honestly has tons of tools that I really like for the college game and someone that I feel will only get better the more he plays and develops. Senior Film
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You have to look past this guy’s height and simply look at his ability to bend the corner and chase down the ball with physicality, speed and vigor. Helton is one of the better natural pass rushers from the greater West Tennessee region and possibly the entire state as for multiple years now, this Owls edge rusher has shown consistency getting after the quarterback and looking over his senior film, he’s only gotten better. Where Helton has improved is with his strength both to his upper and lower body. That added power gave more power to use with his speed rush and give opposing edge blockers fits. The Owls senior backer also has long arms which allows him to use his reach to push blockers back or swim around them. He will need to continue adding some more pounds but I like what Helton brings to the table as a situational pass rusher within the college game. Senior Film
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Joining alongside Scott in the Rebels linebacking corp, Smith is the team’s versatile backer that can be used in multiple roles and that skill set is something that appeals greatly to collegiate coaches. Standing 6’3 210 plus pounds, Smith has the height, length and body style to compete on the next level along with the room for more size. This is a fast linebacker with range to chase down the ball from sideline to sideline but also rush the backfield, getting after the quarterback. Smith does a good job of using his physicality and speed to get into blockers then shed them before he is able to get locked up. The Rebels senior defender simply has a nose for the ball that will only enhance further as he grows and matures inside the college game. Senior Film
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Physical and fast with an aggressive mindset, Milburn is one of the fastest middle linebacker prospects that we have from our senior class and someone still sitting under the radar when it comes to recruiting. Part of the lack of recruitment comes due to his size as Milburn stands only 6’0 but trust me, this Memphis area linebacker can play and he is one of the fastest at his position within the state. The Panthers senior diagnoses the play early then attacks with speed and violence. He can also rush the backfield from the middle or be placed on the edge and asked to work upfield. Blockers have a hard time finding Milburn through the mesh as he knows how to get small and get through creases to find the ball. This guy will always be limited when it comes to his height but you gotta look past that to see a hard hitting, fast middle backer that shows up and shows out on a consistent basis. Senior Film
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Other Stock Risers
– Emmitt Newman Emmitt Newman 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Jefferson Co. | 2024 State TN – Jefferson Co.
– Jaylon Smith Jaylon Smith 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Sheffield | 2024 State TN – Sheffield
– Joe McCord Joe McCord 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 State TN – Alcoa
– D.J. Curll D.J. Curll 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Centennial | 2024 State TN – Centennial
– Jackson Bandy Jackson Bandy 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Nolensville | 2024 State TN – Nolensville
– Jermaine Stinson Jermaine Stinson 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Chatt. Christian | 2024 State TN – Chatt. Christian
– Hudson Shoaf Hudson Shoaf 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB MUS | 2024 State TN – MUS
– Cooper McAfee Cooper McAfee 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Brentwood | 2024 State TN – Brentwood