Five Linebackers Breaking Out In The 2025 Season

I recently launched my new player series, examining breakout players for every position, regardless of classification or age. After spending a considerable amount of time discussing offensive players, I shifted to the defensive side last week.   Today, we'll be taking a look at the linebacker position. It was hard narrowing this list down to just five, because there were a lot of players I could've chosen.   But after checking out film, statistics and the development players have made over an offseason, here are the five guys I picked out.   Several of them are legitimate Power Four prospects, with a couple of underclassmen making the cut.   It's a very talented position class, so let's get into it.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/99-Jayden-Cannon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1138254" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA LB [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] – Battle Ground Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] has been around the block, being a productive player for BGA. However, he has improved significantly since last year, even if the stats don't necessarily reflect it.   He was already a good player, but he moves better and has put on some good weight, showcasing his ability to make plays all over the field.   In 10 regular-season games this season, Cannon has notched 13 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks and an interception.   The junior has a good frame at 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds with great athleticism, as he plays both sides of the ball as a linebacker and tight end.   He's strong, tackles well, is very physical on the defensive front and plays good coverage to give his defensive coordinator multiple ways to use him.   BGA is one of the best teams in the state, but if they make a deep run in the postseason, Cannon will be a big reason why.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/65-Graham-Kesner-rotated-e1736532857583.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598731" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Briarcrest LB [player_tooltip player_id='1093181' first='Graham' last='Kesner'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2028 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1093181' first='Graham' last='Kesner'] – Briarcrest Christian   [player_tooltip player_id='1093181' first='Graham' last='Kesner'] is part of an elite young linebacker core at Briarcrest Christian, with Kesner stepping up big time in 2025.   After being a rotational guy as a freshman, he's one of the significant contributors to the Saints' defense, totaling 29 tackles and six TFLs.   He's a bigger linebacker for his age, coming in at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds with plenty of athleticism for his position.   Kesner is a good tackler who can play anywhere on the defensive front, but primarily plays outside linebacker.   He's strong and fights through blocks well to get into the backfield and make plays, whether that be stuffing a run or picking up a TFL.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/81-khori-faulkner-1-crop-6719x4412-1752529533.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1709694" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor LB [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] at a Prep Redzone Camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] – Baylor School   [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] transferred from Houston High School to Baylor School over the summer and has been one of the biggest breakout stars in 2025.   On a star-studded Red Raiders team, Faulkner has been one of the best players and is a key reason why they boast a perfect 9-0 record.   The junior linebacker put on good weight this year, now standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 210 pounds with a long, lean frame.   Faulkner is a vicious tackler with a high motor, but is under control and plays smart on the gridiron. He has excellent instincts and awareness for his surroundings, while being able to fly around the field due to his athleticism.   The 2027 prospect has already taken great strides in one offseason at Baylor, leading to his first Division I offer from Liberty recently.   With the way he's playing now, expect more to pour in.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-02-2025-8-24-12-PM-crop-401x263-1762136864.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2003217" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Briarcrest Christian LB Octavius Flynn Jr. (Photo courtesy of his Hudl account).</figcaption></figure>   2028 LB Octavius Flynn Jr – Briarcrest Christian   Octavius Flynn Jr from Briarcrest Christian was a solid player as a freshman in 2024, but he's taken a significant step forward this season.   In the same amount of games, he's nearly doubled his tackle numbers from 42 in '24 to 72 in 2025.   Not only has he been a tackle machine, but Flynn also recorded 12 TFLs and three sacks to prove he's productive blitzing and creating negative plays in the backfield.   He's well-built, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds with a lean physique.   The sophomore inside linebacker is highly explosive and can fly around the field, while being extremely physical for a young player.   Flynn can flat-out ball and should be one of the more coveted in-state linebackers for his class.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-02-2025-8-22-32-PM-crop-1319x867-1762136771.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2003214" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth LB [player_tooltip player_id='1132842' first='Blake' last='Surratt']. (Taken by Wittmer Jones, sh0tbywitt).</figcaption></figure>   2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1132842' first='Blake' last='Surratt'] – Ensworth School   Ensworth's [player_tooltip player_id='1132842' first='Blake' last='Surratt'] is someone who has been a productive player for the Tigers over the past two years, but has taken another step and looks like one of the best linebackers this season.   The senior backer led his team in tackles last year, so it's not a surprise that he did the same thing in 2025.   In the regular season, he totaled 110 tackles, 11 TFLs, seven QB pressures, four pass breakups, two sacks and a forced fumble.   Like I said, an extremely productive guy on one of the premier teams in arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee.   He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 215 pounds, but remains an athletic individual who can move around well.   He's a smart player who tackles well, has excellent football awareness, is a hard hitter, plays solid coverage and boasts an extremely high motor.   When I turned on the tape, that's what impressed me the most about Surratt. He flies through the echo of the whistle and comes with bad intentions toward opposing offenses.

I recently launched my new player series, examining breakout players for every position, regardless of classification or age. After spending a considerable amount of time discussing offensive players, I shifted to the defensive side last week.