Film Review: #TN2026 Linebackers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Back in the lab, breaking down more senior prospects, here we dive into five linebackers from our #TN2026 class that are destined for the college stage. All five of these guys are highly talented w/ a few already holding offers while the others are under the radar but show tremendous potential. </h2>   <p></p>   <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan'] - Green Hill </strong></p>   <p>- One of the top linebacker prospects from our #TN2026 class looks to be this Mid-Tennessee product that is also one of the more violent hitters we have in the state. Daniyan is a physically well built young man that is tough to block, especially when he gets going downhill. The Hawks backer attacks the run game with controlled violence while also providing a pass rush that opposing blockers have a tough time dealing with. He shows good initial burst and closing speed. Daniyan is a true middle backer that could occasionally work the edge due to his ability to run, his broad upper body and athletic lower base. Possibly the biggest trait I like about Daniyan is his fearless approach to the game and how hard he competes down in and down out. This guy is a high level competitor that plays hard and fast. </p>   <p>The one area where I would like to see Daniyan improve further is his ability to play in space. Now playing the middle linebacker role, the Hawks defender won't be asked to drop into coverage too often but showing the ability to do so certainly helps boost his stock. I do think he has the athleticism to develop further in that area and maybe we get to see more of his coverage skills throughout his coming senior season. Daniyan screams to me captain material, due to his consistency and hard nosed competitive game play. The Hawks senior has the physical body to potentially jump into college practice next year and work at finding early playing time. I like the mentality and talent here with Daniyan and his upside to turn into a multi-year starter on the college level.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/1045TheZone/status/1837324068434927828 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin'] - Sevier Co. </strong></p>   <p>- The upside is real with this East Tennessee linebacker that brings great size to the field along with an athletic skill set that could be utilized in multiple ways. Standing 6 '4 210 plus pounds, Galazin is an interesting talent that could grow into an edge college linebacker but play inside as well. The Smoky Bears senior moves very well for his big size, showing excellent lateral movements and an explosive first step that allows him to consistently make plays in the opponent's backfield. Once Galazin diagnoses the play, he attacks without hesitation. He shows the upside to rush the passer and do so from a variety of positions. Playing in coverage is also a big strength for this under the radar linebacker. Due to his athleticism, Galazin has upside play in space, working in pass coverage while also having the length to stretch out the run game. </p>   <p>Galazin burst onto the scene in a big way last year, producing over 140 tackles on the season and being a key cog on the Smoky Bears championship winning defense. A lot of what was written above were key traits towards his successful season. I think Galazin may have as much upside as any linebacker within our #TN2027 class but he does have more development to go. He has a great frame to push on more weight and make himself a more physically formidable defender. Doing that may push Galazin towards working the edge more in college. His recruitment has yet to really take-off but I think that will change in time. The ceiling is high here with Galazin and a talent with the best football days ahead of him.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JoeyGalazin47/status/1854591882413957521 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1646596' first='Chris' last='Moore'] - Bartlett</strong></p>   <p>- Moore jumped onto my radar late in the Spring but is a guy that stands out to me in a big way, especially after going in-depth with his junior film and learning more about this Memphis area linebacker. The first thing you immediately like about Moore when turning on his film is his athletic lower base and explosion towards the ball. The Panthers linebacker diagnoses plays well then uses his physicality and speed to get through blocks and make plays on the ball. This guy is a violent attacker with good upper body strength that allows him to take on and shed blocks well. He is a run stuffer but shows upside at rushing the passer with the ability to occasionally do so off the edge. Competing hard is something that shows up on film for Moore, which is a strong trait to have at linebacker and on your defense. </p>   <p>This Memphis area product runs well. He shows an agile, athletic lower base with a strong first step that is tough to handle. Moore is also well built physically with broad shoulders and good arm length. One thing that might be a hindrance is his overall size at 6'1 215 pounds, although I think Moore is big enough to contend on the D1 level one day, especially because of his athleticism and physicality. There isn't a lot of buzz on the recruiting trail at the moment for the Panthers linebacker, however I feel that will change with a strong performance during summer camp season and a breakout senior year. I really like this prospect and his upside on the college level. He is a hidden gem at the moment that should cause a spike in his stock over the coming months.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChrisMo64567402/status/1909419628452786382 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='854393' first='Jayden' last='Pyant'] - Ensworth</strong></p>   <p>- If any college coach is looking for a long term, potential big pay off prospect, Pyant could be your guy. Playing most of his snaps last season at safety, the Tigers senior defender translates best to college at linebacker where he can use his athleticism and size to make plays close to the line of scrimmage while also having the ability to play in space. Pyant looks the part of a college guy, standing roughly 6'3 205 pounds with good arm length and a frame that can pack on more weight. What this Nashville based linebacker does best right now is use his athleticism to track down the ball and get to the spot before the ball carrier can break into the open field. Pyant runs well and I think he can find another gear over time with continued development. His ability to run helps him play in space, allowing him to cause havoc in pass coverage. The Tigers backer is a good matchup in space against running backs and tight ends. </p>   <p>While I do like the upside here with Pyant, he does need continued work with developing his strength and enhancing his explosiveness. You can see within his film that Pyant has room for growth with both his body and his game, which tells you his best football days should be ahead of him. I do think you can see a surge with his recruiting stock throughout the rest of the year, especially if he performs well in camps this summer and steps his game further during his senior season. It will be interesting to watch Pyant transform over the coming months because I see the potential and I think eventually, college coaches will too.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaydenPyant1/status/1892716270803394593 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1540917' first='John' last='Rex Dockery'] - Christian Brothers </strong></p>   <p>- One of the more under the radar linebacker talents we have from our #TN2026 class is this Memphis area senior that plays an aggressive style of game that translates well to the college game. Dockery brings a high level of intensity to the football field that I like a lot. He is an athletic and fast attacker that diagnoses the play well and attacks with fierce aggression. He shows an excellent first step with great closing speed and more times than not, he finishes with violence. A lot of the work you see within his junior film is Dockery playing on the edge or off in space. He works well when given space to roam. The Purple Wave linebacker shows the upside to become a good player in pass coverage over time due to his lower base athleticism and agility. </p>   <p>This guy looks like one of the better sure tacklers we have from our senior class. He could be even better in this area with added weight. Dockery has a somewhat slender frame at the moment but has plenty of room to push on more size. He also brings some versatility to the field. Due to his athleticism and quickness to the ball, I could see this Purple Wave linebacker manning the middle or occasionally sliding over and working off the edge. The potential is strong with this West Tennessee prospect. This guy is fun to watch on film. I could see Dockery rising up recruiting boards and our rankings over the coming months due to his high upside.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DockeryRex/status/1906006527225266406 </div></figure>