The Five: Top Run Stuffing Linebackers

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If any college staff is looking for backers that can stop the run, they may want to look at these prospects below. The linebacker position has evolved over the past few years but you still need someone in the middle that call plays and become a force against the oppositions run game. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='906615' first='Shelvy' last='Clark'] - Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the top returning tacklers for the 2026 season is this Memphis area linebacker that has picked up some big offers from Indiana, Oregon, Vanderbilt and others while continuing to gain steam on the recruiting trail through these off-season months. Clark has a beacon for finding the ball, especially in the run game where he does a good job of recognizing the play early then attacking with controlled violence. The Red Devils senior sniffs out the run well. He attacks blocks, gaps and the ball that points towards Clark being one of the best run stuffing backers we have in this year's recruiting class. This guy is athletic and rangy too, so it's no wonder why some of the best programs in the country are in hot pursuit of this tackling machine out of Memphis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings'] - Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sporting great size with high football intelligence, Jennings looks and plays the part of a potential run stuffing middle linebacker on the college stage that still has different levels to his game. This Mid-Tennessee product had a strong junior campaign that flashed excellent play against the run due to his nose for the ball and ability to get off blocks. Jennings does a nice job of taking on physical play then releasing while keeping his eyes on the ball carrier. His range and ability to go sideline to sideline helps as well. The Eagles senior runs well but could increase his speed and make himself more difficult to handle and away from the ball. Jennings holds plenty of strong offers right now but could add some significant ones with continued improvement headed into the 2026 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2164785,"width":"320px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/RomanJ-crop-1548x1016-1775234087.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2164785" style="width:320px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2143337' first='Harris' last='Fisher'] - Lipscomb Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- As we go into summer camp season, this Nashville based linebacker is flying under the radar but if you turn on his film, you see a strong tackler that can make an impact in college at stuffing the run. Fisher is a physically well built young man that looks the part of an inside linebacker that does a good job of shedding blocks and getting to the ball carrier before he gets going. What I like most about Fisher is how he attacks blocks while keeping his eyes on the ball where he either makes the stop or forces the run game towards his teammates. The Mustangs senior does need to continue getting faster and more explosive but the potential is there for Fisher to increase both those areas. If he does that and displays it in camps, I can see D1 and FCS programs become more interested in his services.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1707489' first='Dax' last='Cole'] - Maryville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This East Tennessee linebacker is gaining steam on the recruiting trail right now and a big reason why is Cole's explosive tackling and ability to sniff out the run. When you turn on his film, you see an explosive, fast tackler that reads the run game well and does a good job of making plays around or behind the line of scrimmage. The Rebels senior is a tad undersized with his height but Cole makes up for it with his athleticism, instincts and speed. Range is another strong trait with Cole as he displays the ability to go sideline to sideline finding the ball that usually results in him making the tackle. I like the upside here with Cole and the impact he can make down the road as a run stuffing, tackling machine that should improve further with college teaching.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2125953,"width":"215px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.9442829351461234","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/20-Dax-Cole-e1770855642192.jpg?w=966" alt="" class="wp-image-2125953" style="aspect-ratio:0.9442829351461234;width:215px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1591998' first='Ethan' last='Stacey'] - Father Ryan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last season was a coming out party for this Nashville based linebacker that produced a high level year where he displayed a nose for the ball along with athleticism and range that translates well to the college game. The Fighting Irish senior is a broad shouldered, physical backer that diagnoses the run game well then attacks without hesitation. Stacey does a good job of attacking and shedding blocks then finishing with excellent physicality and violence. Moving towards the next level, Stacey does need to increase his speed and overall range but he isn't far off from being where he needs to be. This guy is the ultimate competitor and worker that will grind to improve and eventually turn into a college starter one day that should be outstanding against the oppositions run game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five More Sure Tacklers ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'] - Independence: </strong>The defensive leader for the Eagles this coming Fall looks to be this athletic run stuffer that is still coming into his own as a player but shows strong upside for the college game. What stands out about Barone and his run stuffing abilities is his quick first step, his instincts and speed to the ball. The Eagles senior may be one of the more explosive tacklers we have in this class that has the range and speed to track the ball from sideline to sideline.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1366543' first='Darius' last='Sudderth'] - Alcoa: </strong>Yet to pick up his first offer, Sudderth is a hidden gem that does strong work against the run while having the athleticism to provide a pass rush as well. This guy attacks blocks and the run game very well, showing instinctive game play and the ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Sudderth could be one of the better athletes we have from our senior class that still has room for growth with both his body and his game play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2161726' first='Payden' last='Ballard'] - Germantown: </strong>If Ballard was two inches taller, he would be holding multiple offers at this point because this guy can run and he plays a violent brand of football. The Red Devils inside backer flashes strong on film stopping the run, using his instincts and physicality to work through blocks and make the tackle. I view this Memphis area prospect as a stock riser through the coming months due to his run stuffing upside and speed towards the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1512542' first='Khori' last='Faulkner'] - Baylor: </strong>A true middle backer that is built to stop the run, Faulkner is a physically well built young man that competes, plays hard with a knack for getting off blocks and towards the ball. The Red Raiders senior does a nice job of recognizing the run, attacking blocks then shedding them and finishing with violence. More speed is needed with Faulkner but from a competitive stand point and with his physicality, this guy is built to be a college run stuffer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1669631' first='Tarhye' last='Taylor'] - Jackson Christian: </strong>Transferring to JC from Fayette-Ware for his senior year, Taylor is an underrated talent that plays fast with a nose for finding the football, especially stopping the run. Once this 6'0 backer diagnoses the play, he attacks quickly and puts himself in play to make a stop on the ball. Taylor is a bit undersized but this guy is a good athlete that plays fast, which is something that translates well to the college game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2174581,"width":"228px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/pballard.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2174581" style="width:228px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->