Q1 Stock-Risers: 2025 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season concluded, we've updated our rankings. We didn't do a complete overhaul of the 2025 rankings, but there are still several players that made big moves. These guys have huge upside and finished their senior year with positive momentum. Here, we break down the linebackers that moved up in the final 2025 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breaking Down the 2025 Linebacker Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303805"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67840a670e997"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Conover had a strong senior year and his measurables make him an intriguing prospect. He can fly and has great size for a linebacker. He can play inside or outside and as a senior, he improved against the run, showing great ability to get off blocks and bring down ball carriers. NC A&amp;T's staff has hit big on Tar Heel State defenders in the past few years and Conover could be in line to see early playing time there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759842"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67840a670e9f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Farmer was the model of consistency in his high school career, with over 110 tackles and six sacks in each of his last three seasons. While his overall numbers dipped a bit as a senior, we thought he improved his level of play. Farmer is one of the best at sifting through traffic between the tackles to find and bring down ball carriers and he improved in pass coverage as a senior as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1083631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67840a670ea3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lowe is one of the top tacklers in the state for one of the top teams in North Carolina. He's quick to break downhill and improved laterally in 2024. He's a guy we think could continue to put on muscle and improve. He's nowhere near his ceiling, but he's in a really good spot, heading to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396922"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67840a670ea7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It has certainly helped Barger that he's gotten bigger and stronger every season, without losing and speed or quickness. He has a natural feel for the linebacker position and reads offenses well, allowing him to quickly diagnose plays and break on the ball. The ability, athleticism, and production are all there for one of the best linebackers in the Charlotte area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759840"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67840a670eabf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While undersized for a linebacker, Bohanon's speed and even strength are on display every game. He's quick to the ball and he doesn't miss when tackling ball carriers. He's one of the best tacklers in the state and gets sideline-to-sideline quicker than almost anyone. This season he improved in the running game, able to take on blockers and make tackles in between the hashes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928142"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67840a670eb00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henderson is big, fast and really improved as a player as a senior. Previously looked at by our staff as a high-upside athlete, he had a great season in 2024 as a pure linebacker and is in position to be a top player for Virginia Tech in the future. Henderson could play on the edge or off the ball, depending on how his body develops, and that versatility will serve him well at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->