#TN2025 Breakthrough Linebackers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our senior linebacker class will grow deeper inside our new rankings as we dived back into the film room to look over our backers and we found some much improved players. We feel these ten guys below have developed much further and pushed themselves into possible college scholarships and will see a rise in our coming updated rankings.</h2>     #TN2025 Rising Linebackers    Going into the 2024 season, Cross-Snead was a prospect that flashed big time potential but still had room for growth. This senior season, the Cobras linebacker appears to be coming into his own as his Fall clips display an athletic guy that can do a variety of things on defense from rushing the passer and playing strong against the run. Cross-Snead reads and reacts well then uses his quick burst and athleticism to make a play on the ball. He looks to have improved his speed and overall skill set this season while forming into his body much better. The raw tools and upside definitely reside inside this Clarksville area linebacker and I feel he is starting to pick things up where Cross-Snead could one day find himself on the D1 playing stage. The work must continue for the Cobras senior but he has definitely improved enough to see a big jump in our upcoming senior updated rankings.    - - -    One of the most improved linebackers coming from our senior class is this Nashville area defender that shows highlights worthy of being considered a D1 prospect. Newcomb is well built physically with the athleticism to play in space while also being strong versus the run. His senior clips show improved recognition skills as well as enhanced lower base agility that would allow him to stay on the field for all three downs. Newcomb plays hard and will make violent contact. He is a thumper that works well through blocks to finish the play. I like how the Bears linebacker has developed himself over the Fall season and what his future could look like on the collegiate gridiron. It will be interesting to see what will happen through this final stretch of recruiting as I feel Newcomb could be a steal for whoever he signs with.    - - -    Aggressive with high football intelligence, Burrow has quietly put forth a strong senior season that will see his #PRZTN ranking rise and maybe pushes himself into late college scholarships. The Phoenix senior is one of the more athletic backers we have from our senior class that fits well in the middle but can provide a pass rush due to his quick movements. His instincts are strong. Burrow reads and reacts very well as he diagnoses the play early, then attacks without hesitation. Sporting a thick frame and wide upper body, opposing blockers have a hard time slowing Burrow down due to his build and physical play. He can play in space too as his film shows potential competing in space. Playing on the 1A level doesn't provide a lot of strong competition for Burrow but this guy can play and develop even further with college teaching.    - - -    The Smoky Bears sport one of the better defenses in the state this year with Galazin being a major factor as he leads the team in tackles and is working on an All-State caliber season. Going into the 2024 Fall campaign, Galazin was a guy that sat under the radar for me with needed development and I believe he has taken the proper steps to become a legit college prospect. The first thing you notice is Galazin has the size to contend on the next level. He is also a deceptive athlete that shows in his senior clips the ability to track the ball and get to his spot on time to make plays. Galazin works well versus the run as he is able to sift through blocks and make a play on the ball. Continued work playing in space will boost his stock even further but I like what Galazin has done to develop himself and become a ranking riser that might gain some interest from FCS level programs.    - - -    Our initial rankings had Harrison sitting inside our Top 40 linebackers but after a senior year where we saw improved development, the Panthers senior prospect will rise in our coming update. That statement is made due to Harrison showing improved instincts and speed this year while filling out his frame much further. What I like most about this East Tennessee defender is his versatility. Harrison is a good athlete that could work some edge and cover in space while also having the ability to work the middle against the run. It helps that Harrison can run. Now he does need to continue getting faster but I can see the speed potential. Harrison will also need more weight on his frame but that will come as he gets into a college weight system. This is a good looking prospect that could pay off big for someone down the road.    - - -    If you look through our senior linebackers and you want a guy with long term, big pay off potential, Pinkston could be your guy! The Panthers senior is a late developer but jumped on my radar in the spring where I saw a 6 '3 guy with long arms that could run and by looking over his senior clips, you can see Pinkston beginning to flourish. His speed and fluid lower body movements are what stand out the most when looking over his highlights. Pinkston has the athleticism to make plays sideline to sideline. He can rush the backfield from anywhere, including the edge while also showing upside to play in space. This Mid-Tennessee product is still in development mode as he needs to add more size but the raw tools are there and someone worth taking a flier with on the FCS level.    - - -    Handling middle linebacker for one of the better defenses in the state this 2024 season, Covert has certainly developed and taken his game to another level, leading his team in tackles and competing for possible All-State honors. The Rebels senior backer does everything right as Covert is as consistent as you will find in this state. A technique sound player that plays with controlled violence, Covert plays well versus the run but has improved his athleticism where he could be considered a Top 10 coverage linebacker in the #TN2025 class. The Rebels is a physical competitor too that plays a fearless brand of football. He is undersized at 5 '11, maybe 6'0 and that could be why he sits under the radar but Covert is a “ball player” that could develop much further on the college stage.    - - -    There have been some ups and downs this year for the Cherokees but one guy who has played consistently and pushed his game to another level is Miller. This 6'2 linebacker has filled out nicely with his body but also improved his athleticism and speed to become a legit FCS prospect. His senior highlights show a guy with size that moves well laterally but finishes fast with physicality and violence. Miller has increased his overall athleticism and explosiveness that has allowed him to place himself around the ball faster and on a consistent basis. His improvement shows up as well when he is called to play in space against the pass. The Cherokees senior does need to continue enhancing his agility and speed but I can see big time improvement that should put Miller on the college radar.      - - -    Under some new coaching this year, Webster has flourished and displayed athletic abilities that can translate to the college game. Now this guy is still a project and someone that needs further development but Webster brings natural tools like athleticism, lateral quickness and foot speed that fits well on the next level. Where this Mid-TN product has pushed his game further is with his play recognition and overall football intelligence. The enhanced football smarts shows up on film where Webster snuffs out the ball and attacks quickly. Another trait that stands out is his range and potential to play in space. You could use Webster off the edge or possibly develop him in the middle. You will need time to develop with this guy but down the line, you may have a gem with Webster.    - - -    Coming from a small town, Odom doesn't receive headlines as much as others in this state but this guy can play and I feel like his best football days are certainly ahead of him. Going through his senior clips, what this Mid-TN backer shows is some of the best coverage work in the state. Odom is an athletic young man that can run sideline to sideline while playing in space versus the pass. The Lions senior defender has pushed his game further this season by playing more physically and sticking his nose in the mix against the run. Odom is an intriguing prospect due to his versatility. He can work the middle stuffing the run or play off in space and let his athleticism shine. Time is needed as Odom needs to gain more weight but the raw tools are there to be formed into an athletic backer that could make plays anywhere on the field.    - - -   Five Other Improved Linebackers   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1110709' first='Sammie' last='Smith'] - Ripley   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1131019' first='Keilan' last='Harris'] - Stewarts Creek   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='939778' first='Gavin' last='Schaffer'] - Brentwood Acad.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1126008' first='Ben' last='Melton'] - USJ   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1280297' first='Wesley' last='Howard'] - Overton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/sburrow.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1545704" style="width:291px;height:auto" /></figure>