RANKINGS UPDATE: Top-Ranked 2027 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the top-ranked 2027 linebackers in Georgia...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378967"],"_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-68880928122b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A multi-sport standout with size, instincts, toughness, and above-average athleticism, Crawford is a sure-tackling defender who can also turn around and play tight end on defense. He dissects plays early, runs well, and brings a physical presence at 6-foot-3 200-pounds. He's a hard-hitting defender who is bound for a giant junior season this fall for the mighty Cartersville Purple Hurricanes. He's already a major target for several top Power Four programs with sky-high potential at linebacker. He's now ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 1 linebacker and the No. 17 overall prospect in the state for the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584395"],"_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-688809281230a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tough, physical defender and one of the top overall athletes in the area, Smith is a big kid at 6-foot-3 200-pounds who can run and hit from his middle linebacker spot. He has a nose for the football and knows how to leave a bruise when he meets the ball-carrier. He already looks like a Power Four player and has an impressive offers list as he heads into his big junior season. As a sophomore last fall, Smith made 88 tackles and three forced fumbles. He's a big-time defender with the potential to be one of the best linebacker prospects in the South. He's now ranked as the No. 2 LB prospect ands the No. 25 overall prospect in Georgia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1214548"],"_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-6888092812355"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tackling machine who lit up the stat sheet last year, Brown is one of the top two-way players in the state after an outstanding sophomore season last year where he shined at both running back and linebacker. He brings plenty of size and strength at 6-foot-1 215-pounds and tackles as well as any defender in the Athens area. He runs well, he competes, and is coming off an incredibly productive 2024 season where he made 152 tackles, 14 TFLs and three fumble recoveries. He's bound for a massive junior season and is currently ranked as the No. 3 LB and the No. 28 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["662007"],"_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-688809281239d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile South Georgia linebacker with quickness, length, and big-play ability, Batson Jr. is a disruptive defender who was one of the more productive linebackers in his region last fall as a sophomore. The 6-foot-1 210-pounder plays the run extremely well and has the ability to rush the quarterback and make plays in the backfield. The promising linebacker made 100 tackles, 32 TFLs and 12 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He's now ranked as the No. 4 linebacker and the No. 33 overall prospect in the state for the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1096397"],"_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-68880928123ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An active linebacker who can stop the run and make plays in coverage, Godfree was one of the best linebackers in Gwinnett County last year and did it as a freshman. Playing against quality competition on a weekly basis, Godfree still managed to let everyone know that he was consistently one of the best players on the field. He made an impressive 129 tackles last season with 19 TFLs, six sacks and two INTs to go along with four forced fumbles. He was a turnover machine who holds a giant offer list already. He's now ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 5 LB and the No. 39 overall prospect in the state for the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->