Underrated Upperclassmen Outside Linebackers to Know for 2026

With the new year beginning, I'll be starting a new series surrounding underrated upperclassmen at every position. The 2027 class is loaded, which means some kids will go under the radar, and I'm here to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.   Next in this series, I'll dive in and discuss five underrated outside linebackers who need some respect. All of the ones that I've selected are talented players who have earned starting jobs at their respective schools.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/IMG_3920-crop-1639x1076-1769275050.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2112141" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page LB [player_tooltip player_id='2088523' first='Liam' last='Perry'] at the 2025 state championship.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2088523' first='Liam' last='Perry'] – Page High School   [player_tooltip player_id='2088523' first='Liam' last='Perry'] was an underrated star for one of the elite defenses in Tennessee high school football last season. A plethora of Division I signees overshadowed the 2027 prospect, but he is due for a big senior season that will put him on the map for college coaches.   The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outside linebacker has a good frame that needs to add weight, but isn't heavily undersized. Perry is in an excellent system for his position, as Page requires its players to be extremely football-smart and communicate well, which he has demonstrated.   He plays with a high motor and is relentless on every play, whether he's blitzing or just reading his keys to ensure the opposition doesn't hit a chunk play. The rising senior has shown the ability to disrupt passing attacks, but is an elite run stuffer who rarely ever gets beaten to the outside.   Everyone who doesn't know Perry needs to become really familiar with his game. After losing several seniors on defense, he'll be a guy who has a huge year and puts everyone on notice.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/41-Chevy-Armour-rotated-crop-2832x1860-1766697576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2089297" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland OLB [player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'] – Oakland High School   The 2025 Oakland Patriots defense was arguably the best unit in the state, littered with future collegiate athletes. One of those is outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'].   He was overshadowed by some of the bigger names, but was highly productive and enters next season as a top defensive player in the state of Tennessee. Last season, he totaled 64 tackles, 10 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two picks, and three defensive touchdowns.   Armour has a compact build for his position, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 190 pounds, but is very strong and moves exceptionally well.   The 2027 prospect is a smart football player who communicates well to ensure his teammates are on the same page. He also plays with a high motor and doesn't give up until he hears the echo of the whistle.   Armour has shown the ability to do everything on the field and is a name to know heading into next season.   <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-crop-2421x1589-1758948030.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1911109" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2027 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] – Battle Ground Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] is a two-way star on Battle Ground Academy, but projects better as an outside linebacker at the next level. In limited time at the position due to rotation, he totaled 16 tackles, seven for a loss, four sacks and one interception.   While his tackle numbers aren't crazy and likely one of the reasons that he doesn't get as much respect, Cannon is a true game wrecker. He is an excellent pass rusher, can stop the run effectively, gets downhill quickly to blow up plays and is a quality coverage linebacker.   The rising senior is well-built, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds, while maintaining his athleticism and fluidity. Cannon is also a good tackler and can do whatever his coaches ask of him. He's quietly one of the best outside backers in the state and should prove that with a larger role next season.   <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-24-2026-11-22-51-AM-crop-1101x723-1769275501.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2112144" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1588087' first='Gael' last='Lara']. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1588087' first='Gael' last='Lara'] – Riverdale High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1588087' first='Gael' last='Lara'] had a solid season in 2025, racking up 47 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, four QB hurries and two pass deflections in 11 games.   He's a big, long outside linebacker, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 230 pounds. Lara moves well while showing solid explosiveness at times. The 2027 prospect is already back in the lab and has shown good stuff at NPA's private workouts.   The rising senior is an adequate pass rusher but excels when asked to shut down the run. He does a good job of crashing the backfield to handcuff opposing running backs. Lara is a good tackler who thrives as a run stuffer and could see a lot of success in his senior campaign.   <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-24-2026-11-27-29-AM-crop-680x447-1769275748.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2112146" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Smyrna OLB [player_tooltip player_id='2098932' first='Noah' last='Jaeger'] (#8). Photo from his X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2098932' first='Noah' last='Jaeger'] – Smyrna High School   [player_tooltip player_id='2098932' first='Noah' last='Jaeger'] is a player I recently came across, and he's very intriguing. The rising senior is somewhat raw as an outside linebacker, but is willing to do whatever it takes and possesses the toughness to play with anyone.   He needs work in certain areas, but I see the vision and believe that he can become a quality player at the next level. Jaeger stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 190 pounds, with a longer frame that allows him to add additional weight, which he needs to do.   He competes with the top dogs in 6A, but he would be better suited to handle them with a bigger body that can withstand the physicality of this classification.   Although the 2027 prospect is on the lighter side, he can stop the run well and get after opposing quarterbacks. He totaled 13 tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2025, showing that he can be a game-changer on the defensive side of the ball.   Jaeger also plays sound coverage and has solid instincts for his position. If he can add weight and become more explosive, watch out for this senior outside linebacker.

With the new year beginning, I'll be starting a new series surrounding underrated upperclassmen at every position. The 2027 class is loaded, which means some kids will go under the radar, and I'm here to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.