PRZNE 2027 Rankings Update | LB Positional Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have just completed the largest update to the Nebraska Class of 2027 rankings, resulting in over 100 new names in our database and a completely revamped rankings list. To cover some of the new players and risers, I will provide positional overviews that offer a quick breakdown of the top players in each group, as well as share any relevant recruiting news on those prospects. Keep an eye out, as we will also be doing player evaluations where I go more in-depth with my gametape breakdown as part of the update coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first group I will be covering is the linebackers, which already is shaping up to be a pretty talented group. Bridgeport's <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1327922' first='Cody' last='Bates']</em> claimed the spot of linebacker #1 with several others starting to emerge going into their junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1327922' first='Cody' last='Bates']</em></strong> <a href="https://x.com/CodyBates44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@CodyBates44) </a>- [player_tooltip player_id='1327922' first='Cody' last='Bates'] built off the momentum of a promising freshman season to deliver a breakout sophomore campaign in which he recorded 65 tackles, eight TFLs, and an interception. Bates, who is an immediate eye-catcher with his 6'5", 210-pound frame, also impressed at the Combine Series where he recorded a 4.65 40-yard dash, 4.47 shuttle drill, 8'9" broad jump, and a 7.72 L-drill, showing that he has the explosiveness to complement his size. Cody's smart gap play and ability to break through blocks will make him tough to contain when attempting to establish the run as an offense. Cody has been pretty busy this summer with camp trips to Augustana (SD), South Dakota State, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Bates returns as a pivotal piece to the Bridgeport defense and could look to play a bigger role on the offensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1699007' first='Michael' last='Brandt']</em></strong><a href="https://x.com/BigMike1595711"> </a><a href="https://x.com/BigMike1595711" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@BigMike1595711)</a> - Scotus Central Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='1699007' first='Michael' last='Brandt'] is new to our radar in this round of updates and was one of the top higher-ranked "debuting" players coming in at LB #2 and #19 overall. Michael has a very versatile skillset that could see him playing anywhere from defensive end, outside linebacker, or on the OL. He really stood out on tape with his explosiveness off the ball and violent, mean streak when engaging with blockers. Size checks out at 6'4" and 220 pounds. We project Michael to be an outside linebacker, but with him just starting to scratch the surface of his potential, the sky is the limit to what he can do on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1588236' first='Ian' last='Christo']</em></strong> <a href="https://x.com/Christo_Ian14" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Christo_Ian14)</a> - As if it wasn't tough enough playing against two FBS prospects at linebacker for Elkhorn North, now you have to worry about junior [player_tooltip player_id='1588236' first='Ian' last='Christo'], who emerged as another playmaking LB and one with that same level of upside. Christo was very productive last season, recording 91 tackles and two TFLs, showing his range and nose to hunt down the ball on nearly every play. Christo brings a "seek and destroy" mentality to the field with excellent ball-tracking ability and the range to close on the ball from anywhere. Christo and the rest of the LBs are a big reason why the Wolves are a huge threat in Class B this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='720132' first='Evan' last='Robinson']</em></strong> <a href="https://x.com/EvanRobinson_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@EvanRobinson_1)</a> - Lincoln Southwest's [player_tooltip player_id='720132' first='Evan' last='Robinson'] is a player I'm really excited to see take on a bigger role in his junior season. Robinson played a limited role last season but had several flashes of the tremendous upside he possesses with 21 tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks. Even though Evan might not have the tape of some other players, it's hard to overlook the athleticism he brings to the table with reported times of a 10.7 100m, 4.6 40-yard dash, and a 31.5 vertical jump to go with his 6'2", 210-pound frame. Evan made sure to hit the Iowa State camp this summer, where he posted solid testing results. Robinson plays with a ton of intensity, which can be seen in the physicality that he uses when tackling the ball carrier. Breakout season en route!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1085162' first='Will' last='Manning'] </em></strong><a href="https://x.com/_WillManning_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@_WillManning_)</a> - The Spartans have something special brewing in their LB room with up-and-comer [player_tooltip player_id='1085162' first='Will' last='Manning'] having formed quite the duo with fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='644078' first='Colton' last='Tucker']. Will had a very productive season, constantly disrupting opposing backfields and finding himself near the ball, ending the year with 83 tackles, 10 TFLs, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Will has solid size for the LB position at 6'1", 200 pounds, and has a deep wrestling background, which translates to the field with his use of leverage and ability to take down opponents on first contact. I'm looking forward to seeing what Will does for an encore in 2025!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='720359' first='Ryan' last='Boehle'] </em></strong><a href="https://x.com/RyanBoehle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@RyanBoehle)</a> - Grand Island's [player_tooltip player_id='720359' first='Ryan' last='Boehle'] is a player we've been monitoring since his freshman season and really started to flash on the field last fall as a sophomore. Boehle ended last season with a solid 30 tackles, three TFLs, and a sack while appearing in seven games. Ryan plays the game with an intense motor that drives him to the ball from snap to whistle. We saw Ryan line up all over the field for the Islanders defense, showing he can play middle linebacker, line up near the LOS, and even play in space. Great frame at 6'2" and 200 pounds that can hit like a truck when he gets going. The Islanders are looking to get back to the playoffs after an off year, and Ryan looks like he could play a part in bringing them back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='644078' first='Colton' last='Tucker']</em></strong> <a href="https://x.com/ColtonTucker34" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@ColtonTucker34)</a> - Here's the second half of the dominant duo forming at Lincoln East. [player_tooltip player_id='644078' first='Colton' last='Tucker'] is another aggressive, physical linebacker with a wrestling background, with all the tools to develop into a high-level prospect. Tucker ended his sophomore campaign with an impressive 65 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Playing middle linebacker, Colton does an excellent job plugging his gaps when defending the run and plays with a tireless pursuit of the ball. Tucker has hit a couple of camps so far, making stops by Kansas State and Nebraska. This is going to be a stingy defense with Tucker and Manning holding down the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the entire 2027 LB Rankings below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2498","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68658c1da2323"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->