2027 Watchlist Check-In: LBs

This offseason, we're taking a look at some of the players sitting just outside our rankings. Our watchlist check-in series looks at those players who often just need an opportunity. These rising juniors have been injured, stuck behind others on the depth chart, or just don't quite have enough varsity film to be ranked. But they're close, and many will enter the rankings this year.    A guy who probably should already be well within the rankings (Don't worry, we'll have him safely ranked at the next update) Baker has two-way upside, but thrives as a hard-hitting middle linebacker. Baker racked up 26 solo stops as a sophomore on varsity, adding half a sack and a fumble recovery. He has excellent closing speed and the abilities to chase both sideline-to-sideline and downhill.     From everything I've heard, Moore is having a great start to his career and has West Davidson looking stronger than it has in years. Finding film on the sophomore has proved tricky, but my contacts out that direction have repeatedly told me Moore can flat out play. He flies around the field, impacting the game as a pass-rusher, tackler and defensive playmaker.     An athletic multi-sport athlete, Creath keeps his weight down for wrestling, but plays linebacker and defensive back for Enloe. He also punts and can do plenty of different things on the field. He should earn some more consistent varsity playing time this season as a junior. If he does, we won't be surprised if he puts together a solid all-around season.     Smith is an athletic defender with roots on the offensive side of the ball. That gives him great instincts and an ability to be in the right place at the right time. He pulled down multiple interceptions last year, one in man coverage and one in zone coverage, showing his versatility. Smith is one to watch for the future.     Harris bounced between JV and varsity last year, but when he played with the big boys, he showed a fearlessness to stick his body in there against bigger fronts and make tackles in the running game. He's a bit raw as a coverage linebacker, but the athleticism is there, and he has excellent upside for Southeast Alamance.

This offseason, we're taking a look at some of the players sitting just outside our rankings. Our watchlist check-in series looks at those players who often just need an opportunity. These rising juniors have been injured, stuck behind others on the depth chart, or just don't quite have enough varsity film to be ranked. But they're close, and many will enter the rankings this year.