2027 Watchlist Check-In: Linebackers

Our rankings are filled with talented college prospects. But there's plenty of talent on our watchlist, too. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2027-rankings-january-update/">Last rankings update</a>, we had five players enter the top half of our rankings directly from the watchlist, and a host of others who rose after initially being watchlist players. In this spring series, we're evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist. Who knows? Maybe some of these guys make their mark in the next rankings update. Next up, the linebackers.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Watchlist Linebackers</h2>   One of the reasons I love this watchlist series is that it allows me time in the offseason to put eyes on every player in our system. If history is any indication, our spring update will be the largest wave of watchlist-to-ranked players of the year. Typically, I add around 25% of our current watchlist players to the rankings as I write this series. Let's get to it. Here's every 2027 watchlist linebacker.    Depasture has great length and could ultimately be a box safety or versatile secondary piece, but we like his upside at linebacker. He has good hips and lateral movement, and he's able to flex out and cover guys in the slot, as well. As he adds some more weight to his frame, he's a player to watch as a potential late breakout at the varsity level.     Hall has great size, but has mainly been used on kickoffs as a varsity player so far. That could change with the West Charlotte coaching change, and given his athletic profile, we wouldn't be surprised to see him contribute as a senior.     Hall had a huge junior year, but we didn't see his film until long after the season ended and the rankings had been updated. In full transparency, he's been added to the next rankings update, and we're excited to see him continue to develop after breaking out last season. He has good size, but also the speed to get sideline-to-sideline for Elkin's defense.     Bronson is a bit slimmer than your typical linebacker, but Clayton wants speed at the second level, and that's what Bronson provides. He's strong enough to play inside and is a great run defender compared to what you'd expect given his athletic profile. I'm interested to see where he fits in the 2026 depth chart, on a team that loses a couple of key contributors on the second level.     Harris earned some varsity playing time early in the year, but didn't really hit his stride until conference play. By mid-October, however, he was integral to Southeast Alamance's success, with two takeaways and 12 tackles in a two-game stretch. He's right on the cusp of a ranking and a guy we're watching closely.    This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

Our rankings are filled with talented college prospects. But there's plenty of talent on our watchlist, too. Last rankings update, we had five players enter the top half of our rankings directly from the watchlist, and a host of others who rose after initially being watchlist players. In this spring series, we're evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist. Who knows? Maybe some of these guys make their mark in the next rankings update. Next up, the linebackers.