Four Standout Class of 2027 Linebackers in Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois is home to several young, talented linebackers, and the class of 2027 is already producing future stars. These four linebackers have made their presence felt early in their high school careers and are poised for big things in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570788' first='Micah' last='Welch'] – Johnsburg High School (6'1”, 230 lbs)</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1570788' first='Micah' last='Welch'] is a physically imposing linebacker with the size and strength to dominate in the middle of the defense. He plays with a downhill mindset, attacking the ball carrier with force while shedding blockers with ease. Welch has impressive instincts, reading plays quickly and making stops before they develop. His combination of size and athleticism makes him a disruptive force in both run support and pass coverage. Expect Welch to continue making a name for himself as one of Illinois' top young linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1196204' first='Jackson' last='Killeen'] – Providence Catholic (5'11”, 175 lbs)</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1196204' first='Jackson' last='Killeen'] may not be the biggest linebacker, but he makes up for it with speed, aggression, and relentless effort. He excels in pursuit, using his quickness to chase down ball carriers and disrupt plays from sideline to sideline. Killeen has a high football IQ, often anticipating plays before they happen and putting himself in the right position to make a stop. His versatility allows him to contribute in both run defense and pass coverage, making him a well-rounded asset for Providence Catholic. As he continues to develop physically, his playmaking ability will only improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314926' first='Ben' last='Hultgren'] – Central High School (Burlington, IL) (6'0”, 215 lbs)</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1314926' first='Ben' last='Hultgren'] is a hard-hitting linebacker who thrives in physical matchups. His ability to take on blockers and still make tackles sets him apart as a dominant presence in the middle of the field. Hultgren's instincts and reaction time allow him to quickly diagnose plays and shut down opposing offenses. He also possesses the strength and leverage to be a force in short-yardage situations. With his physical style of play, Hultgren is a rising star in Illinois' 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172240' first='Mason' last='Stewart'] – Plainfield North High School (6'0”, 220 lbs)</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1172240' first='Mason' last='Stewart'] plays with a high motor and a fearless attitude, making him one of the toughest young linebackers in the state. He has the ability to read plays quickly and react with speed, making him a key piece of Plainfield North's defense. Stewart is a strong tackler who rarely misses when he squares up on a ball carrier. His physicality allows him to excel in run defense, while his quickness gives him the ability to drop into coverage when needed. As he continues to develop, Stewart will be a name to watch in Illinois high school football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->