Scouting The Top Inside Linebackers in Division II-AAA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of prospects across Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With the transfer portal calmed down, for now, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in this series, I'll discuss Division II-AAA inside linebackers. Here's a scouting report of my top quarterbacks of the defense in DII-AAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2179150} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-22-2026-8-48-15-PM-crop-588x387-1776909083.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2179150" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie LB Cannon Voiles at media day. Photo from MaxPreps.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Cannon Voiles – McCallie School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon Voiles is one of the more underrated defensive players in Tennessee heading into this upcoming season. He's produced for one of the best teams in the state, while offering intriguing skills and traits. This past season, he was fourth on the team in tackles with 50, eight for a loss, two sacks, three forced turnovers and five quarterback pressures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a compact player, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 210 pounds, but has a thick frame that allows him to be physical. Despite being undersized, this is a guy who can flat-out play football. Voiles is the complete package, as he's proven to be good against the run, rushing the passer and in coverage, helping him stay on the field every down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior is not the most explosive player, but he possesses a relentless motor, allowing him to make tons of plays on the gridiron. His athleticism is solid, along with sound technique, good tackling skills and great toughness. Voiles heads into 2026 as the most experienced player on this defense, where he should have a big senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2164785} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/RomanJ-crop-1548x1016-1775234087.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2164785" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy LB [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'] during a game. Photo from his Twitter.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'] – Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'] is one of my favorite defenders in the state of Tennessee. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker took that next step in 2025, having a terrific junior season for the Division II-AAA runners-up. Jennings is a versatile player whom the Eagles use in many ways. He's an excellent run stuffer who consistently clogs running lanes and forces tackles for loss, thanks to his athleticism and high football IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 prospect is also highly effective when blitzing the QB, often finding his way into the backfield easily. He plays sound coverage at his inside linebacker spot, but can roam around the field with his speed and instincts. Jennings is quietly one of the best defensive players in Tennessee, regardless of position, and has Power Four potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2003217} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-02-2025-8-24-12-PM-crop-401x263-1762136864.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2003217" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Briarcrest Christian LB Octavius Flynn Jr. Photo from his Hudl.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 Octavius Flynn Jr. – Briarcrest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Octavius Flynn Jr. is one of the best, yet most underrated, defenders in Tennessee, regardless of classification. He's coming off a standout 2025 season with Briarcrest Christian, racking up 90 tackles, 12 for a loss, three sacks and one interception in 11 games. The rising junior has already become an excellent player, but is just scratching the surface of his potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers good size for his age and position, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds, with a long, athletic frame that allows him to carry additional weight without sacrificing fluidity. The 2028 prospect moves extremely well, has good speed and plays with a relentless motor that helps him be able to make every play on the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flynn Jr. is a highly explosive, electric player who flies around the field. He is one of those guys who can flat-out play ball. While he's extremely violent, the Briarcrest Christian product is also very smart and performs under control. He can rush the passer, stop the run at an elite level and play solid coverage, making him a complete prospect with Power Four upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1709694} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/81-khori-faulkner-1-crop-6719x4412-1752529533.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1709694" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor LB [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] at a Prep Redzone Camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] – Baylor School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] transferred to Baylor School last season and became an instant difference-maker for the state champion Red Raiders. He was arguably the best player on that defensive front, but he has another year of high school ball where he should further prove himself to college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker, he's slightly undersized. However, he offers other things that help offset it and produce at a high level. Faulkner has impressive speed, a high motor, good coverage skills, excellent tackling ability and a high football IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can stop the run effectively while also being a disruptor in the passing game, whether through blitzes or sound coverage. Despite not being the biggest player on the field, this rising senior is the complete package at linebacker. He will enter next season as a likely top-five player at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2179153} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-22-2026-8-46-51-PM-crop-1029x676-1776909165.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2179153" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth LB [player_tooltip player_id='1704682' first='Ethan' last='Starling'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1704682' first='Ethan' last='Starling'] – Ensworth School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1704682' first='Ethan' last='Starling'] is a name to know heading into next season, as he's an intriguing prospect with high upside at his linebacker position and will have an increased role with Ensworth. He has the tools and traits to be a productive player at the next level, and he's already proving why college coaches should have him on their radars. This past season, he totaled 81 tackles, two sacks and five pass breakups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a smaller linebacker, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, but don't let that fool you. This talented young buck can play football at a high level and is receiving some of the best coaching in Tennessee, so you know he's being developed correctly. Starling is highly athletic, a good tackler, has proven he can cover well, can shut down the run game and is one of the smartest football players in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 prospect must grow to maximize his potential, but he has the potential to play at the Division I level. He offers just about everything you want in a linebacker, while producing in the toughest classification in Tennessee. There are a few things Starling needs to improve on, but he will get there with Dillon Sanders running the show on the defensive side. Keep an eye out for his talented rising junior as he looks to take the next step in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->