Inside The Rankings: #TN2026 Linebackers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">This may not be the most talented crop of backers we have had in this state but it's a deep one with plenty of prospects sporting long term potential. If you look hard enough, you may be able to find some future college hidden gems. </h2>     The Top Ten    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan'] - Green Hill (52nd overall/1st LB)   - Daniyan took the top spot among our senior linebackers for this cycle but he must stay in development to keep it as others are hot on his trail. What gained the Hawks backer the #1 slot in the state is his combination of athleticism, intelligence, physicality and power that shows up big within his junior film. This guy is a punisher in the run game while also having the burst and explosiveness to rush the passer as well. Daniyan has become a wanted man on the recruiting trail as he's landed multiple D1 offers to this point with a lot of interest coming from others. Expect to see his stock continue to soar over the next several months.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez'] - BGA (60th overall/2nd LB)   - Last season with the Wildcats, Fernandez had a strong junior year but I feel his best football is ahead and this Fall could be his coming out party. One of the better athletes coming out of our #TN2026 linebacker class, Fernandez is a versatile guy that can stuff the run, play in pass coverage or rush the quarterback. His explosive first step and agile lower base allows the Cats senior to keep himself near the ball and usually finish with controlled violence. Fernandez has started to see his recruitment take-off but has yet to break through into Power Four status. I think that can change with impressive performances this summer in camps as well as a standout senior season.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer'] - Brentwood Academy (61st overall/3rd LB)   - Jointer has quickly risen up the recruiting charts over these off-season months due to his upside as a pass covering middle linebacker that can roam sideline to sideline. Committing recently to Miami Ohio, the Eagles senior could be the top pass coverage backer we have in this class but he also shows the upside as a solid run stuffer that can occasionally provide a pass rush. I feel like Jointer is just now coming into his own as most of his high school career has been spent playing at safety but his body has grown into the linebacker role he is destined for in college. I will be exciting to watch his progression this Fall as I could see this backer moving up our rankings during the next update.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EastonJointer/status/1852724049526378502 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1617369' first='Darius' last='Brooks'] - Haywood (88th overall/4th LB)   - Ranked just inside our Top 100 prospects, Brooks heads into summer camp season as a true hidden gem that has yet to see those offers come through but the talent is there for that to change over the coming months. From a pure athletic standpoint, Brooks is at the top of the charts in that category with all sorts of upside and the ability to handle the middle or work off the edge. His height, length and explosive game play helps his cause. He is still far from a finished product as the Tomcats senior needs to pack on more weight but the pure, raw tools are definitely there. If he can fill into his body further while enhancing his game, I could see Power Four or D1 schools get involved before he signs in December.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin'] - Sevier Co. (90th overall/5th LB)   - Standing 6'4 210 plus pounds, Galazin brings the size to the field that translates well to the college game but he is also a good athlete too that could develop in the middle or off the edge. The Smoky Bears senior is coming off a highly productive junior year that ended with a state championship and his work on defense was a major factor in his team's title run. This guy shows an agile lower body and explosive flashes that allows him to consistently play around the ball. He is a sure tackler that competes with a physical mindset versus the run. He can drop in space and play in coverage as well. Keep eyes on this East TN backer as I feel his best is yet to come.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='402569' first='Zach' last='Gilbert'] - Boyd Buchanan (100th overall/6th LB)   - If this Chattanooga based linebacker didn't miss his entire junior season, Gilbert could be ranked higher but that's not the case, however I think the Bucs senior can increase his ranking and stock with a monster return to the field this coming Fall. Well built physically with versatility to play the middle or off the edge, Gilbert is an athletic guy with an explosive first step that gives opposing blockers fits. This East Tennessee linebacker has high football intelligence as well that shows up on film and it could be a key character trait that attracts collegiate coaches. His camp work this summer and his return to the field in the Fall will be key towards boosting his stock and his overall recruitment.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZachGilbert_7/status/1886075303447118304 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1566274' first='Preston' last='Patterson'] - CPA (101st overall/7th LB)   - Not only does Patterson bring strong game play to the field but he is also a championship pedigree linebacker that plays winning football each time he steps onto the field. The Lions senior is a thumper that moves well, showing sideline to sideline speed and a great initial burst that helps him make an impact versus the run game. He doesn't have the ideal height or arm length but Patterson makes up for it with intelligence, physicality and a motor that doesn't quit until the final whistle. This guy is a coach's dream that will give everything he has to help his team win. Whoever signs him could be getting a future captain and multi-year starter that could be the team's leading tackler for multiple seasons.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1527611' first='Chase' last='Norman'] - Gibbs (102nd overall/8th LB)   - Norman has been one of the biggest stock risers from the linebacker position throughout these off-season months and it's due to his upside to either work the middle versus the run or compete off the edge and rush the passer. His size at 6 '4 210 plus pounds allows him the opportunity to play at either and I believe college coaches have recognized that and his upside on the next level. One key aspect about Norman I like a lot is his ability to set the edge against the run but also drop in coverage versus the pass. This is an athletic backer that is still coming into his own as a ball player, so his best days are certainly ahead of him.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='212419' first='Cooper' last='Gentle'] - McCallie (116th overall/9th LB)   - A wrecking ball from his middle linebacker position, Gentle ranks ninth at his position and could boost his stock higher with increased agility and speed. What this guy does have is a physical mindset and approach to the game that college coaches would love working with. The Blue Tornado senior loves hitting people. Gentle competes hard, fast and violently with a motor that doesn't stop. What is keeping his recruitment stagnant right now is the fact that Gentle only stands about 6'0 without the ideal length. He more than makes up for it with his physical, efficient game play. He is also a great leader that plays winning football, so whoever signs him could be getting a steal with captain material.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CooperGentle/status/1902507499380490577 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1646596' first='Chris' last='Moore'] - Bartlett (117th overall/10th LB)   - Rounding out our top ten is this Memphis area prospect that might turn out to be one of the best linebackers we have from our #TN2026 class before it's all said and done. Well built physically with a great nose for the ball, Moore is an athletic backer that reads and reacts very well, showing a quick first step and a violent finish. This guy is one of the better athletes we have from his position. He is excellent versus the run but I also see upside with Moore playing in pass coverage. I like the entire makeup of this 6'1 linebacker and his future on the next level. Look for Moore to be a potential standout performer this summer in camps and a breakout star this coming Fall for his Panthers defense.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=LB">#TN2026 Linebacker Rankings </a>   - - - - -    The Next Five …..   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='611995' first='Jayden' last='McClure'] - Mt. Pleasant (128th overall/11th LB): Raw untapped potential is the first thing that comes to mind when scouting this Mid-TN backer. McClure is physically well built with good size, length and the athleticism to become an impact linebacker on the next level one day.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1206237' first='Arkez' last='Fontenot'] - Glencliff (143rd overall/12th LB): The Colts senior is still developing into the linebacker body he needs to compete on the college stage but the athleticism is there. Fontenot moves well, showing the potential to be one of the best coverage linebackers we have in this state.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='854393' first='Jayden' last='Pyant'] - Ensworth (147th overall/13th LB): Long term payoff and potential is the key notion here with Pyant. Standing 6 '3 205 pounds, the Tigers backer has the look and size needed for the college but is still forming into his body while learning how to play the position. In time, he could prove to be one of the better backers we have coming out of this class.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1281467' first='Marcus' last='Brown'] - Bearden (149th overall/14th LB): Quick off the ball with a fast first step, Brown is a versatile guy that looks the part of a middle linebacker but has the athleticism to work off the edge and rush the passer. His future will be in the middle but his versatility should be a key trait that appeals to college coaches.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1583134' first='Carson' last='Kelly'] - Arlington (150th overall/15th LB): Sporting great size at 6'4 210 pounds, Kelly has the physical traits that would appeal to college coaches. Kelly is an athletic guy with raw upside that works well in space, playing in pass coverage but also shows the potential to develop nicely as a pass rusher.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/77-Carson-Kelly-rotated-e1736532220226.jpg?w=823" alt="" class="wp-image-1598742" style="width:243px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -   Other Ranked Linebackers    [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'] - McCallie (152nd overall/16th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='212420' first='Kyrin' last='Coleman'] - Pope Prep (154th overall/17th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1540917' first='John' last='Rex Dockery'] - Chrst. Brothers (155th overall/18th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1646496' first='Brayden' last='Austin'] - Science Hill (168th overall/19th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1132842' first='Blake' last='Surratt'] - Ensworth (170th overall/20th LB)   - Major talent and upside resides within Abercrombie. The Blue Tornado backer is a versatile, explosive piece that can rush the backfield or potentially man the middle. He still needs added weight to fill out the frame but the makeup of a potential D1 guy is there; Coleman is a versatile piece that has experience playing the edge with his hand in the dirt. His college game fits best in the middle where he can become an excellent run stuffer; An underrated talent that shows D1 capabilities is Dockery. The Purple Wave backer is an aggressive tackler that shows a great initial burst and closing speed towards the ball; Austin brings good size to the field (6'3 225) that mainly works off the edge for his Hilltoppers defense but his biggest upside may come inside at the “MIKE” position. He could develop into a pure edge backer as well; Surratt is a true middle backer that reads and reacts very well. He is a good athlete that is still learning the position and forming into his body but the potential is there.    [player_tooltip player_id='1432227' first='Ean' last='Jones'] - White Station (212th overall/21st LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1246806' first='Jayden' last='Majors'] - Collierville (213th overall/22nd LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1286224' first='Jaylen' last='Jackson'] - West Creek (214th overall/23rd LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1598498' first='Braylon' last='Green'] - Melrose (221st overall/24th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1151463' first='Ayden' last='Emmons'] - Riverdale (226th overall/25th LB)   - Jones may be undersized but he is one of the better run stuffers we have from the #TN2026 class. The Spartans senior backer plays hard and fast with a nose for the ball. He is a physical competitor too that plays bigger than his size; Standing 6 '2 215 pounds, Majors looks the part of a college guy and he flashes strong potential on occasions. I think if he can fill out body more while enhancing his instincts and initial burst, Majors could work his way into an FCS prospect; Jackson is the best prospect to come out of the West Creek program in some years. He is a violent attacking middle backer that plays sideline to sideline; It may take time for Green to come his own but I see raw athleticism and upside with him. He plays fast to the ball with an agile lower base along with the potential to do good work in pass coverage; A true middle backer, Emmons had a breakout season last year where he showed good work versus the run along with some quick reactionary skills   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/jaymajors.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1666426" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1651742' first='Hayden' last='Parker'] - Briarcrest Chrst. (227th overall/26th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1103033' first='Jayden' last='Jennings'] - Peabody (233rd overall/27th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1655483' first='Dominic' last='Daddabbo'] - Knox. Catholic (234th overall/28th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1657203' first='K'Leb' last='Crowder'] - Boyd Buchanan (235th overall/29th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1554216' first='Jayden' last='Williams'] - Chester Co. (236th overall/30th LB)   - Sporting a good physical build with solid arm length, Parker is an intriguing talent that I could see rising up our rankings during the next update. This guy is aggressive versus the run while showing the athleticism to potentially play in pass coverage; Jennings is a thumper from the middle that does excellent work against the run while having the athleticism to occasionally rush the passer; It may take some time for Daddabbo to fill into his frame but the raw athletic tools are there to develop into an eventual starting college linebacker; I see a lot of upside inside Crowder. The Bucs senior backer is an athletic guy that moves well, shows an easy moving lower base but if he can tap into his physicality more, whoever signs him could be getting a long term steal and potential starter; Much of the same can be said about Williams, however he is a different prospect. The Eagles senior product has great height and length, which says he has upside to work the edge but he could very well move inside as well and excel.    [player_tooltip player_id='1584109' first='Garret' last='Risner'] - Briarcrest Chrst. (264th overall/31st LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1657165' first='Dom' last='Culp'] - Knox. Halls (278th overall/32nd LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1432221' first='Kaleb' last='Johnson'] - Knox. Catholic (281st overall/33rd LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1432214' first='Craig' last='Huskey'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman (288th overall/34th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1603958' first='Justis' last='Haggard'] - Columbia Central (289th overall/35th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1280293' first='Andy' last='Brock'] - Gallatin (291st overall/36th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1629250' first='Jacob' last='Gilles'] - Franklin-Grace (292nd overall/37th LB)   [player_tooltip player_id='853122' first='Colton' last='Nabors'] - Lausanne (295th overall/38th LB)   - Risner is a thumper, a true middle backer that plays physically at the point of attack. He shows good work at shedding blocks and making an impact against the run game; If Culp was two to three inches taller, you would be hearing a lot more from this Knoxville area linebacker. The Red Devils senior shows some of the best bend and burst around the edge. He is an excellent pass rusher that would fit best playing inside in college; A broad shoulder, physical attacker, Johnson does good work setting the edge versus the run with I believe more upside in rushing the passer; Huskey is a tall and long backer that brings versatility to the field. He fits best inside, stopping the run but his physical tools speak towards potential working on the edge as well   Haggard is a multi-talented guy that has spent most of his high school career at running back but for the college game, I foresee his best upside coming at middle backer where he become a solid run stuffer that can occasionally rush the backfield; Moving over to Gallatin for his senior year, Brock is a highly active middle backer that does some strong work versus the run. He is a quick footed, instinctive guy that shows captain material; Gilles is a big guy (6'3 220 lbs) that shows a lot of work on film working off the edge and in space. I personally think his game is best inside as a run stuffer that could provide the occasional pass rush; Time will be needed for Nabors to become an impactful linebacker on the college level. This is an athletic backer that shows good upside working the middle but needs time to pack on more size to become the kind player he could be.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/">Tennessee Top 300</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/grisner-crop-358x235-1746126886.jpg?w=357" alt="" class="wp-image-1666428" style="width:235px;height:auto" /></figure>