Virginia 2027 Top 100 breakdown: Linebackers Pt. 1

The updated Class of 2027 Virginia rankings have 12 linebackers featured in the top 100. There's a heavy emphasis on hybrids and backers with edge capabilities. I'll be taking a close look at all of them in the next couple of days.   Today is Part 1.   No. 9 – [player_tooltip player_id='1535249' first='Noah' last='Glover'] — Battlefield — LB/WR — 6'1”, 205   Glover's list of 20-plus offers includes Alabama, Florida State, Indiana, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon. In 9 games last season, Glover made 73 total tackles, sacked the quarterback five times, broke up two passes, blocked two punts, forced one fumble, and recovered one as well. Per his X account, he has recruiting visits lined up to Texas A&M (Jan. 17), Indiana (Jan. 24), and Georgia (Jan. 31).   Based on the highlights I watched, he brings a steady and physical presence while lining up mostly in the middle, with the ability to shift outside. On pass plays, Glover reacts quickly to receivers crossing his area and arrives on contact to limit yards after the catch. Against the run, he takes clean angles, tracks the back through the hole, and finishes tackles low without giving up extra yardage. As a blitzer, Glover attacks downhill through the A gap, stays free, and closes on the quarterback for a sack. A few of his plays show him being active when plays extend, closing ground on scrambling quarterbacks and forcing them toward the sideline. Overall, Glover plays fast, physically, and confidently around the football.   No. 16 – [player_tooltip player_id='1311473' first='Trey' last='Cherry'] — Trinity Episcopal — LB — 5'11”, 188   Cherry has garnered significant early FBS interest, with offers from East Carolina, Temple, and Old Dominion.   Cherry is a hybrid defender who lines up across the field as a nickel, strong safety, and linebacker. Early on in the highlights, he attacks from an outside alignment and closes fast on a quarterback rolling left and sacks him at least eight or so yards behind the scrimmage. In a coverage highlight, Cherry stays with the running back out of the backfield and breaks up a pass with tight shadowing. When plays break down, Cherry shows urgency, covering 8–9 yards in a hurry and hitting the quarterback as the ball comes out to force an incompletion. From the middle of a run play, he arrives after initial contact and finishes the tackle by forcing a fumble for a turnover. On another run to his side, Cherry fills the alley, beats the blocker to the spot, and makes the stop. Overall, Cherry plays like a rover with a strong safety build. Cherry constantly attacks the football and inserts himself into the action.   No. 28 – [player_tooltip player_id='1311478' first='Reginald' last='Weston'] – Thomas Jefferson – LB/RB – 6'0”, 210   Weston is a 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker who plays with urgency and a downhill mindset. From the middle, he wastes no time attacking the A gap, closing in on the quarterback. He ends up forcing a rushed throw that turns into an interception and a touchdown for his team. On the next snap, again aligned at middle linebacker, Weston times a straight-up blitz perfectly and drops the quarterback seven to eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. He also shows versatility off the edge, splitting a double team from a three-point stance and hitting the quarterback as he throws to force an incompletion. When the run goes away from him, Weston stays active, chasing it down from behind and making tackles in the backfield. Back inside, he attacks the alley on another run and drives the running back backwards for a loss. Overall, Weston plays fast, physical, and disruptive, with his best projection clearly at linebacker.   No. 35 – Baum Hogge – Lafayette _ LB/QB – 6'2”, 220   Old Dominion, Liberty, and Columbia are among Hogge's early offers. He finished the 2025 season with 94 total tackles, eight sacks, one interception, and five forced fumbles. All of this while playing quarterback, accumulating 1,956 total yards and 30 touchdowns.   Baum Hogge is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker who plays fast and decisively around the line of scrimmage. On an early snap lined up on the outside, he reacts immediately to a flat throw and makes the tackle on contact for no gain. On the next play, from an outside linebacker alignment, Hogge shoots through the gap on a sweep, runs past a would-be blocker, and brings down the running back deep in the backfield. Lined up just behind the edge on another highlight, he reads run instantly and closes so fast that he meets the back almost as soon as the handoff is made. On another run, he recognizes the play early, beats the tight end's block, and meets the runner behind the center for a loss. Hogge continues to attack downhill, slipping inside blocks and finishing plays even as pullers try to reach him late. Overall, Hogge plays with strong instincts and aggression, consistently shooting gaps and disrupting run plays behind the line of scrimmage.

The updated Class of 2027 Virginia rankings have 12 linebackers featured in the top 100. There's a heavy emphasis on hybrids and backers with edge capabilities. I'll be taking a close look at all of them in the next couple of days.