2027’s Top Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A position that I should be covering more. Linebackers are fun to evaluate largely because of the wide variety of skillsets these guys have. Sometimes, a guy is extremely good at stopping the run. Sometimes, he surprises when dropping back into zone coverage. Then, you've got guys who haven't yet showed the top-end production, but they're elite athletes. This article features the top 5 ranked LBs in the Class of 2027, with several different archetypes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157446"],"_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-686423f24172a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">MAC schools have been all over Sumpter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply put: he's developing well. Last season saw a major boost in production, and he's expected to show even more improvement this year. Specifically, I saw a heck of a lot more physicality and better play speed when compared to his freshman season. Collin also did a much better job at avoiding blocks, sometimes at extremely crucial moments. Before last season, Collin was projected to eventually be a D1 prospect. After last season, he proved the college evaluators right. This season, Collin's play could earn him Power 4 offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687390"],"_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-686423f2417ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roland is a hard-hitting linebacker who can play a variety of roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd argue that he's at his best when rushing the passer. Roland is simply too physical for a lot of offensive linemen, and is able to bull rush past and earn a wide-open lane to the Quarterback. Roland has also shown flashes when defending the run. Against a couple of great rushing offenses, Roland flashes the ability, when playing off-ball, to quickly diagnose the outside run and earn a quick TFL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another dude with a ton of college attention already. With improvements to his run-stopping, Roland could climb the rankings even more. Love him as a high school EDGE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489281"],"_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-686423f24181c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way player for St. Mary's who has had a phenomenal offseason. Since the new year, Brandon has earned offers from Kent State, Miami (OH), Cincinnati, and Eastern Michigan. These offers were earned by his standout in-season performance in 2024, and several great showings at prospect camps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of last season, Brandon was able to excel in multiple roles. Playing on-ball, Brandon was able to rush the passer with great efficiency largely becuase of his high-end explosiveness- most OTs couldn't catch up. Off-ball, Brandon demonstrated good ability to stop outside runs/screens. He definitely played a little indecisively in this area, though I expect that side of his game to be patched up this year. It's also notable that Brandon is a receiving threat, playing a great TE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expecting another big jump in productivity this season. Definitely looking out for more Power 4 offers in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1615810"],"_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-686423f24188a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1615810' first='Bryce' last='Barbarino']'s tape is a fun watch. There's a great case to be made that Bryce is the most polished off-ball linebacker in this class, even if he has fewer Division 1 offers than a few. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He simply plays fast and without hesitation. Inside run, screen pass, you name it, Bryce is going to attack. Defending plays outside the hashes, I'm consistently impressed with Bryce's pursuit. He does a good job tracking the ball carrier's hip and taking the shortest path possible to make a stop. In addition, Bryce is a productive blitzer. A few instances where Bryce is untouched, and he has the speed to sack the QB before the play has a chance to begin. Lastly, Bryce has far better pass defense highlights than most. Looking like a very well-rounded off-ball linebacker! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["956380"],"_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-686423f2418f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You'd be hard-pressed to find someone more physical than [player_tooltip player_id='956380' first='Carter' last='Czapski']. He's a guy you can trust on offense to convert a 3rd and short, and a guy on defense you can trust to stop a 3rd and short. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a linebacker, Carter does an excellent job of stopping the run. I think he takes a split second longer to react than I'd like, but once he gets on his horse, Carter sports good pursuit and sound tackling. Especially when going up against the inside run, Carter isn't afraid to take on a block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter also has a handful of defensive highlights, as alluded to earlier. Mostly playing RB, I'm impressed with Carter's physicality. I wouldn't call him a polished ballcarrier, but like I said, he can earn you some tough yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->