FutureCast: #TN2027 Linebackers Poised For Breakout Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talent runs deep across the state on the defensive side of the ball. Today, we spotlight five standout linebackers from the 2027 class who are primed for breakout seasons next year. Keep an eye on these rising playmakers as they continue to develop into impact defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904934"],"_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-67cf5a0e0fde2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='904934' first='Kason' last='Hicks'] is a hard-nosed, physical prospect with quick feet, he thrives on contact and has the ability to shoot through gaps with ease. His natural instincts allow him to diagnose plays quickly, find the ball carrier, and finish tackles with authority. His anticipation and relentless motor make him an ideal fit for the middle linebacker position, consistently putting him in the right place at the right time. Not only does he play with toughness, but he also showcases strong lateral movement and closing speed, making him effective in both run defense and pursuit. With his size and skill set already standing out, it's only a matter of time before college coaches take notice and start putting him on their radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16800711/672e24ac1660b525b224a068' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e0ff84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1366543"],"_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-67cf5a0e0ffd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1366543' first='Darius' last='Sudderth'] showcases outstanding reactionary athleticism, allowing him to diagnose plays quickly and put himself in the right position to make tackles. His quick-twitch movements and explosive burst help him close in on ball carriers with precision. One of his standout traits is his ability to blitz—he uses his hands effectively to shed blockers and apply pressure in the backfield. His combination of strength and technique makes him a tough assignment for offensive linemen trying to slow him down. Additionally, his lateral quickness allows him to cover ground effortlessly, making plays from sideline to sideline. Sudderth's relentless motor and versatility make him a defensive playmaker to watch as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16353947/675a4767194271fcfebe79c1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e0fffd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903534"],"_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-67cf5a0e10044"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='903534' first='DK' last='Williams'] is a dynamic two-way player at Beech, excelling at both linebacker and running back. His most dominant trait is his ability to shoot the gap with explosiveness, consistently making plays in the backfield. His burst through the hole puts opposing players at a major disadvantage, allowing him to disrupt offenses with ease. On the offensive side, he showcases impressive physicality and quick-twitch athleticism as a running back, making him a tough player to bring down. However, his instincts, aggressiveness, and playmaking ability to me suggest that linebacker will be his best fit at the next level. With his combination of speed, strength, and relentless motor, college coaches will undoubtedly have their eyes on this standout athlete from Beech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20956328/673fda731f08c0145fbc5bf4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e10067"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tate Bedford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Giles County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e10111"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tate Bedford has a natural knack for finding the ball carrier and making plays. Averaging over ten tackles per game in his sophomore campaign, he has already proven to be a highly productive defender. While he may be a bit undersized at the moment, that hasn't slowed him down one bit. His relentless effort, high motor, and instinctive playstyle allow him to stay involved in nearly every snap. Bedford's anticipation skills and ability to diagnose plays quickly set him apart, giving him a step ahead of the competition. With his work ethic and playmaking ability, he's a future star to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14905643/6748aacc714426fb7d8fd3f1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e10137"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tarhye Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fayette Ware","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e101d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tarhye Taylor is an intriguing linebacker prospect with impressive versatility. He has the ability to play off-ball while also mixing it up in the box, making him a valuable asset in multiple defensive schemes. Taylor showcases great pursuit and explosive burst, allowing him to close in on ball carriers with speed and efficiency. He is comfortable in space, consistently making key tackles in the open field, and also displays strong coverage skills in the passing game. With his well-rounded skill set and high football IQ, Taylor is a true do-it-all linebacker who will undoubtedly start drawing attention from college programs soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19706078/67415372ca1e3e0a3540597a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf5a0e101fc"} /-->