Top 5 LB Rooms in Tennessee for 2026 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 high school football season inside the state of Tennessee has come to an end and the focus now turns to who returns for the 2026 season next year.<br><br>While there will be a lot of moving parts with risers, fallers and even transfers, we begin to take a look at which teams have the best room at each position group in the days leading up to Christmas.<br><br>Today, we continue the series with taking a look at the top five linebacker units inside the state of Tennessee for the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1.) Brentwood Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The BA front seven is led by two of the best linebacker prospects inside the state of Tennessee, creating a dynamic and versatile force at the second level of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'] is the middle linebacker and he is one of the best in the state at stopping the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During his junior season, he took a huge step forward on third downs and quickly became one of the best at his position in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1992039593370108159?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1992039593370108159?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1585726' first='Kenneth' last='Simon'] II is a long and explosive athlete that can do a bit of everything and that is exactly what he did for the Eagles this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can play a strong edge while also covering the flat at a high level, making him a chess piece that the coaching staff can move around the formation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/tpalmateer83/status/1971795283047862561?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tpalmateer83/status/1971795283047862561?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyatt Luedtke quietly put together a very strong year as part of the rotation and should take another step forward as a senior next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2.) Alcoa High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa uses a lot of linebackers in a variety of ways and the group returns a lot of talent and production to next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1027628' first='Jennaris' last='Henry'] is big, physical, and explosive at outside linebacker that can both set the edge and chase down ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/manman_henry28/status/1974397881231778285?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/manman_henry28/status/1974397881231778285?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1366543' first='Darius' last='Sudderth'] is back after an excellent year and should continue to be an imposing force from the inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='904844' first='Micah' last='Jones'] was the leading rusher for the team in the state championship game, but he was also the leading tackler, and will be a massive contributor again next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/calebjarreau16/status/1966296611757130009?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/calebjarreau16/status/1966296611757130009?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These three will be surrounded with big, versatile players that will have to step up to fill supporting roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3.) Briarcrest Christian School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briarcrest had one of the best linebacker rooms last season and return a lot of production, led by two top standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore, Octavius Flynn was one of the most electric linebackers in the state with 90 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He should take another step forward as a junior which should frighten opposing teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/football_bcs/status/1961583011922620661?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/football_bcs/status/1961583011922620661?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1093181' first='Graham' last='Kesner'] also returns after another strong season that is versatile and can make plays from a variety of spots in the front seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a well coached team with great linebacker play that will continue to improve their level of play next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4.) Battle Ground Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez'] leaves after being the leader of the defense, but this group still returns more than enough playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his first season at BGA, Mannie Fentress exploded for a standout year at the second level of the defense, racking up tackles and filling rushing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/manniefentress_/status/1992701556521828814?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/manniefentress_/status/1992701556521828814?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] impact might not always show up in the box score, but his size, versatility and athleticism allow for the coaching staff to move him around the front to blow up plays and set others up for success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='906623' first='Will' last='Copeland'] should step into a larger role with Fernandez gone, especially if they want to kick Cannon back inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Safeties [player_tooltip player_id='2054772' first='Evan' last='Kellum'] and Jake Berte can both kick down to play some dime linebacker and are exciting young playmakers wherever they are lined up on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jackgwilliams/status/1964468752336162941?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jackgwilliams/status/1964468752336162941?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5.) Baylor High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baylor reasonably had a ton of questions about the linebacker position last offseason, but after a productive season, that should not be the case this offseason as there are young players ready to take the next step in their development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] was electric in his first season with the program, giving the defense a reliable sideline to sideline middle linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was one of the biggest breakout stars of this past season and will be an essential part to the team as they try to repeat as champions next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/baylorschoolfb/status/1975610734781640770?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/baylorschoolfb/status/1975610734781640770?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1357966' first='Maxym' last='Sugoniako'] showed very encouraging signs as a sophomore this year and should be able to build upon those signs leading into next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1962674368795791441?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1962674368795791441?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1188708' first='Cosmo' last='DeMatteo'] had to fill in a strong amount down the stretch and he was just consistently causing havoc in the backfield and doing his job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is another 2028 prospect that showed some promising flashes at the position as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standout running back David Gabriel Georges has played some effective linebacker in his two seasons at Baylor and he should get some spot snaps next year to help establish the depth again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->