Scouting The Class: TN2027 Linebackers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">This was a fun position to fully scout as I saw a lot of talented linebacker prospects that are already destined for the Power Four stage with some others sliding under the radar but have the traits to become standout performers. Our in-depth look at the in-state senior linebackers shows a deep class that can become even better with continued development and work. </h2>     - Over the years, the linebacker position has been devalued in multiple ways but we may be seeing a small comeback due to how college staffs are using guys at this position for their versatility and ability to play in open space. Good for the state of Tennessee as the 2027 class may be the best linebacker group we have had in several years and I think it still has room for growth as others continue to develop over these off-season months.    I see a scenario at the end of the year where our in-state senior linebacker group could become the best defensive prospect unit from the TN2027 class but there is a lot of growth yet to go. The top of the board looks strong this cycle with several guys squarely on the Power Four radar with multiple others right there on the threshold on breaking through into next level prospects.    It's actually tough to say who is the top linebacker in this year's class as we have several guys that could be considered as the very best, especially when it comes to which college defensive system they fit into the best. Currently committed to Vanderbilt, [player_tooltip player_id='903033' first='Omarii' last='Sanders'] might be considered the top linebacker prospect in this cycle and he is still far from a finished product. Most of his high school career has been spent at safety but for the FRA senior to fulfill his NFL dreams, developing at linebacker is key for his future.    Fighting with Sanders for that top spot and a top five slot inside our upcoming rankings looks to be [player_tooltip player_id='1305810' first='J.P.' last='Peace'] (Maryville), [player_tooltip player_id='1585726' first='Kenneth' last='Simon'] (Brentwood Academy), [player_tooltip player_id='906615' first='Shelvy' last='Clark'] (Germantown) and Knox. Halls senior [player_tooltip player_id='1294979' first='Jarrell' last='Chandler'], who like Sanders has played mainly safety in high school but translates best in college at linebacker. Peace transferred from Knox. West to Maryville in the off-season to give the Rebels possibly the best linebacking unit in the state. He is a big, fast and aggressive tackler that will be playing his college ball in the SEC at Tennessee.    Over the past year, Simon has really started to form into his body nicely while maintaining his athleticism and explosive game play. The Eagles backer has experience playing in the secondary, which lends towards his upside to play in space against tight ends and running backs. Clark is coming off a highly productive junior season that saw him turn into a tackling machine. He has landed some big time offers thus far and is still rising on the recruiting charts. Chandler still has a learning curve when it comes to transitioning into linebacker but the raw, athletic traits are in place to become a rangy guy that makes plays behind the line of scrimmage and in space.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/jchandler.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1616303" style="width:266px;height:auto" /></figure>   Joining Simon in the Brentwood Academy linebacking corps is 6'3 225 pound senior [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'], a big and physical tackler that is showing vast improvement with his lower base agility and speed. If the Eagles linebacker can continue developing his lower half explosion, he might work his way into the top five at this position as well as boost his stock further with more Power Four schools becoming interested.    Two of the fastest linebackers from our TN2027 class could be [player_tooltip player_id='1666967' first='Akeem' last='Hunt'] from MASE and [player_tooltip player_id='1368155' first='Will' last='Butler'] out of Green Hill. Watching plenty of linebacker film, Hunt might be the fastest overall linebacker in this cycle that flies to the ball with reckless abandonment and finishes with violence. He is still lacking the overall weight needed to sustain on the college level but the physicality and speed are certainly in place. Much like a few guys talked about above, Butler has mainly played safety in high school but translates best in college at linebacker. His athleticism, range and speed plays well in the middle part of the defense where Butler can make plays in space or rush the backfield.    As it was hinted at above, Maryville might end up having  the best trio of linebackers in the state this Fall with Peace being the star and [player_tooltip player_id='1707489' first='Dax' last='Cole'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1694317' first='Wyatt' last='Wilber'] being hidden gems that are starting to come to the surface. Cole recently landed offers from Fla Atlantic and Georgia Southern and they won't be the last. He is a compact, fast and aggressive linebacker that gets downhill quickly and finishes with controlled violence. Wilbur is someone I'm bullish on and think he could be a Power Four backer one day. He has great size with room to add more weight while also having an explosive lower base that gives him field versatility.    The middle linebacker position within our TN2027 class is stacked this year with several guys mentioned above and others like [player_tooltip player_id='2143337' first='Harris' last='Fisher'] (Lipscomb Acad.), [player_tooltip player_id='1591998' first='Ethan' last='Stacey'] (Father Ryan), [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'] (Independence), [player_tooltip player_id='1366543' first='Darius' last='Sudderth'] (Alcoa), [player_tooltip player_id='2090376' first='Carson' last='Pearce'] (Knox. Halls), [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] (Baylor) and [player_tooltip player_id='2161726' first='Payden' last='Ballard'] from Germantown that flash D1 upside and the ability to become impact starters down the road.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/cbarone.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2098676" style="width:250px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Independence LB [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'].</figcaption></figure>   Starting last year as a junior, Fisher made an impact on his side of the ball and turned into a legit college prospect, even with his Mustangs team struggling to win football games. This rising senior is an interesting talent that I think can work his way into Power Four status with continued development in the speed department along with increasing his lower base agility. Fisher is a true inside backer but his size could be utilized as well working off the edge.    Stacey is a true middle backer that plays hard and fast. He is a physical competitor that diagnoses the play early then attacks without hesitation. Barone is a long term, big payoff prospect that is still growing into body but he's an athletic guy that runs well with a motor that stays on high until the final whistle. Sitting under the radar right now is Sudderth, an athletic and fast tackler that has yet to breakthrough on the recruiting but he has the look and tools to work his way into the D1 ranks one day.    There hasn't been a whole lot of buzz yet for Pearce but he is someone I like and think could be a steal down the road for whoever signs him. The Red Devils senior brings nice athleticism and size to the field along with room to get bigger and faster with continued development. Faulkner is a true middle backer with a compact frame that takes on blocks well and stuffs the run on a consistent basis. He is a deceptive athlete too that shows upside with his sideline to sideline range. Ballard is an undersized guy (5'11 205) but the dude can run. This Memphis area product recently clocked a 4.5 forty and you can see it on film as Ballard attacks the ball fast with viscous intent.    The Next Tier ……   - You will find some top level linebackers listed above but they aren't the only guys in this state that have a chance to make it to the college and become impactful players. This next tier has a mix of linebackers that bring either good size to the field or the athletic traits to potentially develop into D1 but definitely FCS level prospects. I do see some strong upside with a few of the guys that will be mentioned below.    Three guys in particular that I think are right there on the verge of establishing themselves as D1 quality prospects are [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] (Melrose), [player_tooltip player_id='1789693' first='Coree' last='Wells'] (Westview) and [player_tooltip player_id='2124388' first='Mannie' last='Fentress'] from Battle Ground Academy. Kaufman is an intriguing guy due to his natural athleticism and size. The Golden Cats senior is a versatile prospect that could develop into either playing on or off the ball in college. He has traits that say he could impact the game on the edge but I feel his upside is best suited at inside backer.    Coming off landing his first offer from UT-Martin, Wells is an active tackler that brings nice size to the field along with the potential to work in open space covering tight ends and running backs. I do like his game better on the interior but I could see him forming into an off the ball backer down the road. One of the hardest hitters in our linebacker class is Fentress. The Wildcats senior plays hard and violent, showing nice speed on film along with the ability to rush the backfield or potentially work in space.    New Jackson Christian linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1669631' first='Tarhye' last='Taylor'], South Pitt senior [player_tooltip player_id='1205814' first='Kemijah' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932830' first='Asah' last='Story'] are three small town, small school prospects that have the athleticism to form into active performers on the college stage. Taylor is a tad undersized but athletic and fast. He finds the ball early then attacks with hesitation while also displaying the range to make play all over the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/tartaylor.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1942277" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></figure>   Harris is still learning the linebacker position and finding his way but his junior film shows upside. The Pirates senior is a versatile piece that shows work rushing off the edge but his future looks to fit best on the inside. We don't have a lot of buzz right now for Story but the dude can play and I think he is still coming into his own with his best football ahead of him. He does need to continue getting more agile and faster but he has good size while showing good instincts finding the ball.    Memphis Central senior [player_tooltip player_id='1370856' first='Landon' last='James'] is a multi-year starter that has spent time playing on the edge while also working in the middle. He is a physical competitor with a thick build that works well versus the run. He does need to get faster and more agile but maintaining gaps, taking on blocks to shed them and stop the run could be his calling card.    If coaches want some thumpers, the in-state 2027 class has several. A few guys in this tier that fit that bill include [player_tooltip player_id='1587377' first='Jackson' last='Coffey'] (GCA), [player_tooltip player_id='1206523' first='D.K.' last='Williams'] (Beech), [player_tooltip player_id='903954' first='Kwadir' last='Fletcher'] (FRA), [player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'] (Oakland), [player_tooltip player_id='2163819' first='Jackson' last='Lucas'] (MBA) and [player_tooltip player_id='1849545' first='Germaine' last='Allen'] from Covington. Last season was a strong showing from Coffey where you began to see his upside come to light. He is undersized in height but Coffey plays hard while bringing a lot of physicality to his position. Much of the same can be said about Williams. Going both ways for his Buccaneers team, Williams projects best in college at inside linebacker where he can hit people on a consistent basis, which is something he likes to do.    Depending on what college staffs may think about Fletcher, I could see him carving out a role at either running back or linebacker on the next level but for me, I like his game best on defense. The Panthers senior fits well at inside backer where he fills gaps and stuff the run while providing the occasional pass rush. Armour is a well built young man that looks the part of an inside linebacker but his film shows working a lot on the edge. I think he transitions to the interior where he can become an excellent run stuffer.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/43-Kwadir-Fletcher-rotated.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-1687302" style="aspect-ratio:0.6669960474308301;width:198px;height:auto" /></figure>   If Lucas was two to three inches taller, he may have more interest at this juncture in his recruitment but the Big Red linebacker must play the long game. He is an active performer that reads and reacts very well while displaying enough speed to make a difference in stopping the run. Sitting under the radar currently is Allen, a 6'1 physical competitor that has the look and size to contend on the collegiate gridiron. His film shows a broad shouldered guy that sheds blocks well while also showing speed potential to become a sideline to sideline tackler.    Two guys that may need time to fully develop into their games and themselves that could become impactful players down  the road are [player_tooltip player_id='1904539' first='James' last='Morton Jr.'] from Southwind and [player_tooltip player_id='1588275' first='Dricus' last='Williams'] out of White House-Heritage. Undersized but athletic and fast, Morton plays with a high motor, which makes him tough to block. He needs time to grow into his body but his versatile skill set could work in several defensive schemes. Over the past year, there has been a lot of growth with Williams as he is starting to fill into his 6'2 frame while enhancing his athleticism and speed. The Patriots senior is still in developmental mode but I like the progression I'm seeing from him and his potential for the college game.    - - - - -    Developmental Linebacker Depth   - This section talks about linebackers that need time to either grow into their bodies or shape their games to become capable enough of starting on the college level. A lot of these guys mentioned below will probably begin their college careers on the D2, NAIA levels with the possibility of working their way into FCS status with continued work. You could find some long term steals in this section or potential multi-year starters, if properly scouted.    Greeneville senior [player_tooltip player_id='1634457' first='Cole' last='Smith'] could be one of those guys that develops enough to become an FCS level prospect by the end of his senior season or somewhere down the road. He has the look and size needed along with athletic movements seen on film that could work at inside linebacker or occasionally off the ball. Fayetteville senior [player_tooltip player_id='2164498' first='Jaelin' last='Weddington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='378869' first='Ahvare' last='Galbreath'] out of Clarksville are two others that fit the bill of potentially playing their way up in the college ranks one day.    If Weddington played at a bigger program or in a bigger town, we may be hearing more about this 6 '0 linebacker but he must play the long game and get into college camps this summer to prove his worth. What I like about Weddington is his athleticism, instincts and speed towards the ball along with his versatility. Galbreath is a true inside backer that goes both ways for his Clarksville team but translates best in college on defense. His impact down the road will come at staying in the gaps and stopping the run while providing the occasional pass rush.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/agalbreath-crop-936x615-1775591594.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2167061" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure>   It will take time for [player_tooltip player_id='1675594' first='Brandon' last='Goldsmith'] to fill into his body but I like his upside at linebacker in college and his ability to both play the run and work in space. This South Pitt senior has spent most of his high school career at receiver and safety but for the next level, I personally like his potential best at linebacker. Walker Valley backer [player_tooltip player_id='2056800' first='Miles' last='Hawk'] is another guy that needs time in the weight room to grow his body but the athletic tools are in place to become a college starter one day.    A key piece within Westview's championship run last year, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2100530' first='Finn' last='Snider'] is a middle thumper that has the broad size and girth to take on blocks, shed them then chase down the ball. His biggest need of improvement is with his speed and if he can enhance that area, you may see an uptick with his stock. Franklin-Grace linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2165481' first='Noah' last='Anliker'] is another thumper that actually has good junior film. His play recognition and speed stands out on film but Anliker must get bigger and more agile to force bigger programs to look his way.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/nanlike.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2167063" style="width:247px;height:auto" /></figure>   Dickson Co. linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='932843' first='Eli' last='Overton'] and Gallatin senior [player_tooltip player_id='2165628' first='Jason' last='Morton'] are two athletic guys that are a few years away from reaching their potential but I like the makeup of both and their impact on the field as ball chasing tacklers. Overton is still transitioning into his linebacker role and learning how to perform on a consistent basis but he moves, runs well while bringing an active motor to the field. Morton is a true inside guy that needs time to fill into body and put on weight but he's another active performer that will stick his nose into the action and compete versus the run.    It will take some time to fill into his body and gain the needed weight to contend on the college level but I like the upside I see from Concord Christian linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1856434' first='Reece' last='Franklin']. What this East Tennessee product has going for him is his frame, wide radius and overall size. Franklin stands about 6'3 190 plus pounds, so he has the potential look of a college guy but needs time hitting the weight room and growing out his body. If he can do so, you may have a steal on your hands with the Lions senior.    We talked about some thumpers above in the “Next Tier” section but this area has some of those guys as well. Four guys to know about who present that thumper game and mentality include [player_tooltip player_id='2161780' first='Brennan' last='Bialek'] (Nolensville), [player_tooltip player_id='2090154' first='Jackson' last='Themm'] (Shelbyville), [player_tooltip player_id='2121649' first='Eli' last='Yandell'] (USJ) and [player_tooltip player_id='2141244' first='Ross' last='Hinthorne'] from Franklin Road Academy. Bialek is still learning the linebacker position but he has the physical look to establish himself as a strong run stuffer throughout his upcoming senior year. He does need to show improvement with his speed to force coaches to look harder into his upside.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2027&position%5B%5D=LB&commitment=" id="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2027&position%5B%5D=LB&commitment=">#TN2027 Linebacker Database</a>   Themm is a true middle linebacker and run stuffer that plays hard and violent. He is a compact, undersized defender that does need further improvement with his agility and speed to be looked at by bigger programs. Yandell fits the same bill as an undersized middle linebacker that could boost his stock if he enhances his explosion and speed. He shows a nose for the ball but must increase his overall athleticism to reach the FCS level. Hinthorne has the look and overall size (6'2 210) wanted on the college stage but the Panthers senior must improve his athleticism to gain more college looks. I like the physicality he brings to the field and potential to become a run stuffer on the next level.    As we work through summer camp season and into the Fall football year, I expect this senior linebacker class to get better and grow more depth. This position already looks quite strong and I believe it will improve further as guys continue to develop their on the field work and understanding of the game. The top of the board is talented and I can see some hidden gems that warrant bigger looks. I would not be surprised if by the end of the season, this year's linebacker class could turn out to be the best overall defensive position in the state.    Other Linebackers to Know ……   - [player_tooltip player_id='2143331' first='Wilkes' last='Anderson'] - Briarcrest Chrst., [player_tooltip player_id='1570553' first='Jayden' last='Shannon'] - Cannon Co., [player_tooltip player_id='2165477' first='Gavin' last='Self'] - Knox. Halls, [player_tooltip player_id='904934' first='Kason' last='Hicks'] - Sequatchie Co., [player_tooltip player_id='506678' first='Keon' last='Cooper'] - Lausanne, [player_tooltip player_id='1705703' first='Cayson' last='Rasch'] - Montgomery Cent., [player_tooltip player_id='1673682' first='Eli' last='Ritter'] - Coalfield, [player_tooltip player_id='2149222' first='Johnny' last='Rosenbalm'] - Carter, [player_tooltip player_id='2164961' first='Kilon' last='White'] - Tyner Acad., [player_tooltip player_id='1642433' first='Elijah' last='Johnson'] - Anderson Co., [player_tooltip player_id='1207776' first='Jayden' last='Gowin'] - Blackman, [player_tooltip player_id='932939' first='Nigel' last='Clark'] - Lake Co., [player_tooltip player_id='1641257' first='Elliott' last='Lindsey'] - Greenback, [player_tooltip player_id='1705071' first='Noah' last='Ellis'] - DCA, [player_tooltip player_id='2165659' first='Taderrius' last='Brown'] - Chatt. Prep, [player_tooltip player_id='1885943' first='Zane' last='Nash'] - Columbia Cent., [player_tooltip player_id='932841' first='Quincey' last='Blue'] - Dickson Co.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/lanjames.webp?w=689" alt="" class="wp-image-1695473" style="aspect-ratio:0.6728578938146136;width:226px;height:auto" /></figure>