PRZTN Winter Showcase: Top Linebackers

Prep Redzone Tennessee held its annual Winter Showcase this past Sunday, where a lot of good in-state talent competed against each other.   Shayne Pickering and I dissected our top overall performers in the last few days, and I'm here to do the same for the linebackers.   The majority of this group consists of rising seniors, but it also includes one underclassman. I decided to roll with four total, so let's jump right into scouting the best linebackers from Sunday.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-4-39-01-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1767639647-crop-640x421-1767639797.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2099491" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MTCS LB [player_tooltip player_id='1672075' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1672075' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] – Middle Tennessee Christian School   [player_tooltip player_id='1672075' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] has been one of the most productive linebackers in Tennessee over the past two seasons, totaling 148 tackles, 10 for a loss, 0.5 sacks and five pass deflections.   He showed me some good things during individual drills, including his sound technique and quick feet. When they moved into 1v1s against the running backs, he was also solid.   The rising junior must add weight to maximize his potential. However, as I mentioned the other day, he has the time and has shown the ability to do that, so it's not a big concern for me.   He needs to develop in certain areas, but the production and talent are evident. I'm excited to see where he goes from here as he enters 2026 as one of the better defenders in the Midstate.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 5.06 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.98 Seconds   L-Drill: 8.20 Seconds   Broad Jump: 8 FT 4 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-5-20-00-PM-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1767639381.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2099482" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Melrose LB [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] – Melrose High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] was voted the top linebacker by the coaches in attendance. He's an impressive young man with a high ceiling as a versatile linebacker, but he's raw in certain areas.   With that being said, I liked what I saw from the rising senior. He's big, long, very athletic and plays extremely hard. Kaufman looked good in individual drills before having a solid showing in 1v1s against some excellent running backs.   His versatility as a do-it-all player is what intrigues me the most.   The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defender can line up as an inside backer while also walking up as a pass rusher, but can play coverage as well. He's a very unique player who, if used correctly, could develop into one of the best players in the state of Tennessee.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 5.09   Pro Shuttle: 5.07 Seconds   L-Drill: 8.40 Seconds   Broad Jump: 7 FT 6 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/cbarone-crop-700x460-1767809986.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2100795" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Independence LB [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'].</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'] – Independence High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'] from Independence was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know much about him heading into the camp, but he had the best testing of any linebacker, while also performing well in drills.   He's a compact backer at 6-foot and 200 pounds, but has a good build and moves well laterally. Barone possesses sound technique with excellent footwork, which was made evident in 1v1 drills against the running backs.   The rising senior is a solid coverage guy and just a good all-around linebacker who should have another productive season in 2026.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 4.65 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.58 Seconds   L-Drill: 7.95 Seconds   Broad Jump: 8 FT 8 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2083803' first='Beau' last='Wise'] – Hardin Valley Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='2083803' first='Beau' last='Wise'] was a fun linebacker to watch over the weekend. The rising senior is a highly vocal and physical player who backed it up with his performance at the PRZTN Winter Showcase.   Wise is a compact linebacker, but he is built well and plays with a high motor, which offsets his lack of size.   He demonstrated solid footwork and technique during individual drills, while also exhibiting fluid movement. Wise won nearly every rep of 1v1s against the running backs and even looked good in coverage.   The Hardin Valley standout linebacker is one of the more underrated players in his class.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 5.06 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.82 Seconds   L-Drill: 7.77 Seconds   Broad Jump: 7 FT 6 IN

Prep Redzone Tennessee held its annual Winter Showcase this past Sunday, where a lot of good in-state talent competed against each other.