Breakout Watch: 4A Class of 2027 Linebackers

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season over, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.   These players are all talented and have college-level abilities. Some of these players have a few offers, but all of them have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeper prospects who should all be getting looks for the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always support every player on their journey to playing college football.   [player_tooltip player_id='2044072' first='Jackson' last='Hedden'] – MLB, St. Petersburg High Height/Weight: 6'2”, 210 lbs Season Stats: 86 tackles, 9.6 T/G, 52 solo, 34 ast, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack (9 GP). 4.3 GPA   Scouting Report: Hedden is a rangy, middle linebacker with strong instincts and a high motor. He diagnoses plays quickly, takes efficient angles to the football, and consistently finishes tackles in space. His length and frame allow him to stack and shed blockers effectively, and he shows discipline staying within his run fits.   Analysis: Hedden projects as a reliable, high-IQ MIKE linebacker who can anchor a defense. Continued development as a blitzer and in man coverage will raise his ceiling, but his consistency, size, and football intelligence already make him a dependable second-level defender.   Cloudy Dorjuste – LB, Dunbar High Height/Weight: 5'9”, 195 lbs Season Stats: 83 tackles, 8.3 T/G, 48 solo, 35 ast, 7.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks (10 GP)   Scouting Report: Dorjuste is a compact, physical linebacker who plays with aggression and urgency. He attacks with authority, shows good closing speed, and brings pop on contact. His leverage and strength help him hold up well against interior runs despite his height.   Analysis: Dorjuste projects as a productive box linebacker who thrives against the run. Expanding his coverage range and lateral fluidity will improve his overall versatility, but his toughness and tackling reliability give him a clear role at the next level.   Maikel Suarez – OLB/MLB, Archbishop McCarthy High Height/Weight: 6'1”, 215 lbs Season Stats: 79 tackles, 6.1 T/G, 33 solo, 46 ast, 10.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks (13 GP). 1st-Team Sun Sentinel   Scouting Report: Suarez is a versatile linebacker with strong play recognition and pass-rush ability. He shows good burst through gaps, active hands when engaging blockers, and comfort operating both inside and on the edge. His effort and physicality consistently show up on film.   Analysis: Suarez projects as a flexible second-level defender capable of fitting multiple linebacker roles. Improving his change-of-direction in space will help in coverage situations, but his production, versatility, and physical profile already stand out.   Brodey Hill – MLB/TE, Gulf High Height/Weight: 6'0”, 200 lbs Season Stats: 78 tackles, 7.8 T/G, 30 solo, 48 ast, 14.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks (10 GP). Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference   Scouting Report: Hill is a highly productive linebacker with a nose for the football. He plays fast downhill, excels as a run blitzer, and shows good timing attacking gaps. His toughness and competitive edge are evident snap-to-snap.   Analysis: Hill projects as an aggressive, impact linebacker who can disrupt plays in the backfield. Refining his coverage awareness will round out his game, but his instincts, production, and physical mentality already make him a defensive tone-setter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1681692' first='Jonas' last='Hilario'] – MLB/FB, Hillsborough High Height/Weight: 5'10”, 195 lbs Season Stats: 74 tackles, 7.4 T/G, 26 solo, 48 ast, 0 TFL, 0 sacks (10 GP). 4.57 40   Scouting Report: Hilario is a steady, assignment-sound linebacker who plays with discipline and effort. He flows well laterally, stays square to the line of scrimmage, and is a reliable open-field tackler. His speed shows when pursuing plays sideline to sideline.   Analysis: Hilario projects as a dependable inside linebacker with special teams value. Adding more assertiveness attacking downhill will increase his impact, but his consistency, speed, and versatility already give him a solid foundation.   [player_tooltip player_id='1619902' first='Asaiah' last='Milligan'] – OLB/TE, Booker T. Washington High Height/Weight: 6'0”, 220 lbs Season Stats: 71 tackles, 7.1 T/G, 39 solo, 32 ast, 10.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks (10 GP). 3.3 GPA   Scouting Report: Milligan is a physical, strong-framed linebacker who excels near the line of scrimmage. He sets the edge well, uses his hands effectively to disengage, and shows power as a blitzer. His strength translates consistently against the run.   Analysis: Milligan projects as a rugged outside linebacker who fits well in a downhill defensive scheme. Improving in space will enhance his coverage ability, but his strength, effort, and run-stopping presence already make him an asset defensively.

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season over, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.