North Dakota 2027 Rankings: Top 5 LBs That Make This Group Great

We get into position breakdown mode and take a look at the best linebackers in North Dakota in this 2027 class and we roll out our top 5 for best of the best. at LB.   LB5    It is apparent when you watch Nathan's tape from his sophomore to his junior season the skillsets that have improved quickly for him at the linebacker position. He certainly shows that has hands have gotten softer and more smooth getting off blocks. The 6'1 195 pounder from Oakes, also is more sudden off the snap downhill to the ball carrier. Adding these few items to his already blue-collar motor, pave well into our LB5 heading into the 2026 season.      LB4    We had options at what position we could have graded Benet at, but the projection I saee at the next-level at linebacker is evident. He has the fluid movement athletically and demonstrates the vision to get around hte edges showing off what could be a sideline to sideline linebacker as my projection on Benet. He really came alive with his football IQ in his junor season with EEK and could be an asset in a couple didfferent spots at the next-level and was a consistent Big Dog of the Week in North Dakota as a juinor.    LB3    I have to be candid here, as John was quite close to being in our top one or two linebackers in the 2027 rankings and is one of our highest debut in this position group. The 5'11 215 pounder from Grand Forks Central, is one of the hardest hitters inside this top 5 as it doesn't take long to see the strength John has on tape out his his stance with his footwork grueling with his motor down to the ball or quickly over the middle on crossing routesin pass coverage. John is surely more rangey than he might get credit for and has a great chance to move up his stock by next update.   <a href="https://x.com/JShereck74693">TWITTER</a>    LB2    There's not one thing I trust more as a independent scout that I love more than a good camp eval, as the Minot State camp turned out to be well worth the drive for hidden gems across the Peace Garden State like EEK linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1323108' first='Drew' last='Thorpe'] who slides in as our LB2. You can tell the football IQ has grown for Drew as he was the constant center of attack on every play that ended in a tackle for a loss on tape. Another key skillset that should get some attention, is how textbook he is as a tackler. All these skillsets showed up in Minot over the summe as the 5'11 207 pounder tested extremely well in the pro shuttle. One of two EEK Thunder linebackers to crack our top 5 w hich should be a good sign for their defensive unit come 2026.    LB1    Another new name we have in the top spot this time at linebacker is Bismarck Legacy's [player_tooltip player_id='1625514' first='Griffen' last='Zins']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-zins/"></a> . The growing 6'0 200 pounder, has plenty of downhill instincts to utilze at his disposal as I love how Griffin's soft hands progress highly in high traffic areas to get to the point of attack in what looks like a linebacker that plays with a sound motor that has some range to give around that inside box. the city of Bismarck has been a good one for LB1s and that continues with this update with [player_tooltip player_id='1625514' first='Griffen' last='Zins'] taking up the latest nod.

We get into position breakdown mode and take a look at the best linebackers in North Dakota in this 2027 class and we roll out our top 5 for best of the best. at LB.