Off Ball Backers of Missouri - Top Rising Seniors

Size, physicality, versatility, and athletic ability are the common themes amongst this group, resulting in Division I programs coming on board in a hurry. Here's a few of the top linebacker prospects in the Class of 2027 in the State of Missouri.   | Spring Eval Period is amongst us! Use code StopPRZ30 for 30% off your PRZ subscription! |    Lige is good athlete that plays a highly active brand football. He chases after the ball with a big motor and lots of energy, plays sideline to sideline and pursues downfield. He is aligned off the edge in a pass rush, run stopper role, and blitzes the gaps. His influence is disruptive and relentless, he has a very good first step off the ball, and can change direction with short area explosiveness. Film is limited overall, but he shows great flashes indicating plenty of potential to play off the ball and make plays in space. Division I FCS programs have begun to come in on Lige. His stock is growing.     Lea is a smart and physical player, strong at the point of attack, and provides versatility for his high school program in his alignment in the middle, off the edge, and out in space. Lea is fundamentally sound, his tackles are sound, hits are heavy, he is athletically reactive, he plays with great effort and does a great job of chasing down the ball. His impact defensively is evident in his high level of production during the 2025 season, finishing with 129 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions (1 pick 6), 4 forced fumbles, and a blocked kick. He just picked up his first Division I offer from Dartmouth.     Green lit up the Under Armour Next Camp Series in Saint Louis last month, reporting a 4.66x40, 4.23 shuttle, 117.2 broad jump, 30.7 vertical, and 7.37 3-cone at a size of 6000 209, and won 2026 LB MVP. Green has twitch and speed, he is laterally quick, has very good acceleration, a hard hitter, great feet in the box, sideline to sideline lateral ability, easy change of direction, pursues the ball downfield well. His productivity in 2025 included 145 tackles, 14 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 PBU. He currently has offers in hand from a range of Division I programs from power conference to FCS.     Rhymes plays MIKE for NKC and possesses a compact build body type. He plays a very physical type of linebacker, exploding into ball carriers, throwing his body around, with plenty of intensity. Rhymes is a two way player that also carries the football and makes explosion plays with deceptive speed and acceleration. He has good short area quickness and can change direction laterally. He squares himself up to the ball defensively and does a good job reading and reacting, bursts through the gaps, fills, plays intelligent ball. Historically, he's been an all conference player on both sides of the ball. He's another second level player in Missouri with lots of power conference options.     Benassi is aligned all over the field for the Class 6 State Champions. He is a very good sideline to sideline player with range and motor. Off the ball, Benassi is deliberate coming downhill off a good first step in reaction. Offensively, wildcat quarterback is where Benassi creates explosion plays. He was named DPOY in his class and First Team All State. He finished 2025 with a school record 139 tackles, and added 19 TFL, 5 sacks, 9 PBU, 1 INT, 2 fumbles recovered, as well as 607 yards and 7 TD on offense. The multisport athlete has a background in hoops where he displays vertical explosion, and in track where he runs hurdles, sprints, and competes in high jump and javelin. He should continue to see his Division I attention explode through this offseason.     Ivy has bulk, size and mass, length in the arms, an overall large looking middle linebacker. Plays with the requisite violence and physicality. Puts forth sideline to sideline effort, good in pursuit, spikes to ball carriers aggressively, looks to inflict pain and establish his presence in an intimidating way. Ivy is the presence a defense needs playing middle of the box. He throws his weight around and has the attitude expected of a MIKE. Growth potential here is notable, as his natural body growth could gravitate him closer to the ball. He currently holds offers from some of the top programs and conferences in college ball.    | Spring Eval Period is amongst us! Use code StopPRZ30 for 30% off your PRZ subscription! |

Size, physicality, versatility, and athletic ability are the common themes amongst this group, resulting in Division I programs coming on board in a hurry. Here's a few of the top linebacker prospects in the Class of 2027 in the State of Missouri.