Building the Perfect Linebacker in Tennessee HS Football: DII-A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talented linebackers, especially in Division II-A. From athleticism and tackling to instincts and versatility, several standouts bring unique traits to the field each Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this new Prep Redzone scouting series, I'm building the ultimate player at every position and classification by combining the best size, skills, traits and intangibles from top prospects across the state. There's just one rule: each player can be used only once, unless necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series, I'm doing Division II-A linebackers. By blending the best qualities of five different players, I've created the blueprint for the perfect quarterback of the defense in this classification heading into the 2026 Tennessee football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2214325} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/bprater-crop-401x263-1779475246.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2214325" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Friendship Christian LB [player_tooltip player_id='1721153' first='Bruno' last='Prater'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Frame: 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1721153' first='Bruno' last='Prater'] – Friendship Christian School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friendship Christian School's [player_tooltip player_id='1721153' first='Bruno' last='Prater'] is one of the elite young bucks in Tennessee, regardless of classification. He offers a lot to like, but I'm using his frame for this piece. The rising sophomore stands 6-foot and weighs 215 pounds, with a lean, athletic frame built extremely well with a lot of muscle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't see too many players in Division II-A with this frame, especially from a true freshman. However, Prater has it and will only continue to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2145053} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-04-2026-11-03-54-PM-crop-1320x867-1772687759.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2145053" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Trinity Christian LB [player_tooltip player_id='1187358' first='Joe' last='Cole']. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Athleticism: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1187358' first='Joe' last='Cole'] – Trinity Christian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are several athletic linebackers in this classification, but [player_tooltip player_id='1187358' first='Joe' last='Cole'] from Trinity Christian takes the cake for most gifted in that area. He plays outside linebacker, but the 2028 prospect also excels on the baseball field as a utility player, which helps him become agile in all areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's very fast and is able to move effectively in small areas, can get sideline-to-sideline well, is relatively explosive and has a functional body that allows him to do it all. Cole is an all-around good player, but his athleticism is a huge part of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2145055} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-04-2026-11-02-52-PM-crop-1320x867-1772687995.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2145055" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: USJ LB [player_tooltip player_id='2121649' first='Eli' last='Yandell'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Tackling Skills: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2121649' first='Eli' last='Yandell'] – University School of Jackson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably, the No. 1 job of a linebacker is to, well, tackle. [player_tooltip player_id='2121649' first='Eli' last='Yandell'] from USJ does that at a high clip, totaling 115 tackles with 14 for a loss last season. He's a monster in the Bruins' defensive front for several reasons, but his ability to get after the ball carrier stands out the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only does he rack up big numbers, but the way he goes about it is also impressive. It takes technique to be a good tackler, which he has. Yandell takes good angles to the ball carrier, does an excellent job at reading the offense to put himself in the best position, keeps his head on a swivel and, of course, makes tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2116389} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/86-Cooper-Jones-crop-586x385-1769727224.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2116389" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MTCS LB [player_tooltip player_id='2136593' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Instincts: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2136593' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] – Middle Tennessee Christian School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2136593' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] is one of the more underrated linebackers in Tennessee, regardless of class. He doesn't always get the love that he deserves, but the rising junior at Middle Tennessee Christian is one of the most productive players at his position. He's slightly undersized, but has excellent instincts that help him make plays on the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the previous player and attribute, Jones reads defenses well and has a high football IQ that allows him to know when and where a player is going to be. The 2028 prospect possesses quick instincts to break off whatever he's doing to make a play on the ball or an opposing player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/2026715157276008546?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/2026715157276008546?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Versatility: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1895564' first='Ford' last='Bowman'] – Providence Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1895564' first='Ford' last='Bowman'] was an absolute nightmare for teams last season. He was the most productive defensive player in his classification, earning PRZ Division II-A Defensive Player of the Year honors. He totaled 155 tackles, 19.5 for a loss, 16 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reading that stat line alone should tell you why Bowman is on the list for his versatility, but I'm going to explain it further. The rising junior can tackle and make plays at the second level, but he rushes the passer at an elite clip and is a disruptor in the passing game. Sometimes we say someone can do it all, but Bowman legitimately does it all for his defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->