2027 LB New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time again! In case you missed it, we&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2027-rankings/">updated our 2027 rankings</a>, and we have plenty of stock-risers and new additions. I've already gone&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2027-rankings-update-october/">behind the scenes</a>&nbsp;on this update, giving fans an insight into our thinking and decision-making process within the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, we're going in-depth on some of those new players, looking at the linebackers. Here are our 2027 LB new additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 WR New Additions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1923076"],"_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-68f595805e88e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henriquez has put together a strong junior season off the ball for Porter Ridge. He plays a traditional linebacker role, but the Pirates ask a lot of him in coverage, and so far, he's risen to the challenge. He flows freely, not afraid to leave ad lib and fire off at a scrambling quarterback or make a play on the ball. He trusts his instincts, and that shows up on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953581"],"_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-68f595805e935"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leach isn't the biggest guy, but he isn't afraid to mix it up inside and has nine tackles for loss this season. He's also a major threat in coverage, as he has the speed and quickness to work in limited space against slot receivers. His versatility allows St. Paul's to be multiple defensively and helps them match up with a variety of offensive schemes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953557"],"_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-68f595805e9af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers has been fantastic for 3A Pender this season, racking up stop after stop from the middle of the defense. He's as tough as they get, as evidenced by the fact that he's also excelling as a center for the 3A power. We like his ability to work through traffic and make tackles near the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1957195"],"_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-68f595805ea1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Technically, Weycker isn't in this rankings update. But, I saw the film earlier this week and had to include him as a new addition, because he's not only entering the rankings at the next update, but being placed fairly high. He missed his sophomore season with an Achilles injury, but he looks as quick as ever as a junior. His highlight tape is fantastic, and he shows impressive closing speed for a guy his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1865147"],"_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-68f595805eabc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Love is a two-way player for 2A power Alleghany, and we like him best as a fast-moving, decisive linebacker. His decision-making as a middle linebacker is impressive, as he's able to work through the muck and make plays in the running game. He flashes in pass coverage, though he's faced plenty of run-heavy teams, and his change-of-direction that shows up as a running back works in that role as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1865542"],"_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-68f595805eb2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While he's typically a stand-up linebacker, Rowell blitzes a lot off the edge for New Hanover. He's stuffed the stat sheet this season, with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, multiple sacks, and even an interception returned for a touchdown as a junior. Based on his size, he's likely to play an outside linebacker role in college, but he could grow into an edge rusher with more time in the weight room.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953563"],"_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-68f595805eba4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sibert plays off the edge for Roberson, but his size and speed lead us to believe he'll be an off-ball linebacker at the next level. He wins mostly with speed off the edge, but he's a high-IQ player as well. His speed should translate, as should his reactions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953799"],"_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-68f595805ec1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shields excels at moving sideline-to-sideline and mans the middle of a Butler defense that has gone through a gauntlet of elite competition. He's at his best when he can read and react, and the closing speed shows itself against outside runs. He's flashed as a blitzer this season with two sacks and has an interception as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->