Versatile Athletes with Defensive Playmaker Projection

The 2027 Show Me State Rankings Reboot just dropped weeks ahead of the official start of football season. Position groups across the board shining light on prospects that will make a difference at the next level have been pushed out over the offseason. This group is made up of dynamic athletes that will end up on the defensive side of the ball and cause problems for opposing offenses.   Check out the updated Class of 2027 rankings!   https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2027-rankings/   *** Use code StopPRZ30 to crank 30% off your subscription to PrepRedzone ***      All State Linebacker, First Team All District-All Conference-All Region. Finished 2025 with 119 TKL, 33 TFL, 9.5 SK, 5 PBU, 3 FR, 1 TD on defense. 17 REC, 507 YDS, 9 TD, 7 CAR, 74 YDS, 1 TD offensively. Big time two way player with absurd production out of the linebacker position. High motor, quick trigger player with a nose for the ball. Plays inside and outside at the second level. Shows lateral fluidity, good with his hands defeating blocks and also using athletic ability to win at the point of attack. Reliable wrap tackler, runs his feet on contact, drives ball carriers backwards, closes hard in pursuit. Anticipates the passing lanes. Sideline to sideline player with good physicality. Plays all over the box and keeps offenses guessing. Iowa State is his only power conference offer to this point. Has academies and other FBS/FCS options. Committed to the Cyclones in June.     Top 10 prospect in Missouri and has elite national prospect potential. Finished 2025 with 57 TKL, 3 TFL, 4 INT, 2 TD, 2 PBU, 1 FF, 1 PT BLK and 10 REC, 220 YDS, 4 TD, 2 CAR, 60 YDS on offense. Excellent physical and athletic traits, plays in the box and deep in the back half. Has vertical explosion, high points the ball, tracks the ball at a high level. Has great burst out of transition and comes downhill aggressively taking great angles, tackles with physicality, playmaker on the ball at the catchpoint. Athletically supreme at his level. Committed to Missouri, a dynamic defensive playmaker with big time potential.     Measured in 6030 205 at Lindenwood in June, tested 29.7vj, 9'2bj during the combine portion. Finished 2025 with 46 TKL, 2 INT. Reports a 4.0 GPA. Great size and great on the attack, plays deep and in the box. Smooth in his drop and has ballhawk tendencies. Tackles with reliability, has physicality to his game, will throw a shoulder, closes on the ballcarrier with good burst and operates with sideline to sideline range. Can also be a beast on special teams. Plays safety but could potentially be a future second level player with position versatility. NIU was his first offer in April, attracted offers from the military academies and FBS/FCS programs. Committed to NIU in June and has a high ceiling.     Mult-sport athlete competitive in track and field, holds a 11.34 100m, runs multiple legs in the 4x1, 4x2 relays, 5'8.75 in the high jump. Great frame and length. Glides around the field. Appears to read well. Technically sound, smooth in transition, fluid hips, flips with ease. Physical at the point of contact. Plays leverage in space very well. Mirrors and forces ball carriers into mistakes. Carries speed downhill, covers ground, a spider moving laterally. Also runs down on kickoff, navigating the blockers and makes plays. Very under-recruited prospect that only has a FCS/DII/NAIA set of offers and committed to Southeast Missouri in July.     Good player with history on both sides of the ball, making a home in the defensive backfield. Checked in at 6010 179 at Lindenwood in June and received lots of attention for his performance. Versatile in the secondary playing corner, nickel and safety, as well as special teams. Has 11.38 100m track speed. Appears to have quick feet and loose in the hips. Can mirror receivers, transition and change direction, great movement in space, plays with his size and length, smooth and reactive, twitchy and quick, anticipates routes well and performs in recovery. Has an excellent ceiling with only a couple Division II offers in his pocket.    *** Use code StopPRZ30 to crank 30% off your subscription to PrepRedzone ***

The 2027 Show Me State Rankings Reboot just dropped weeks ahead of the official start of football season. Position groups across the board shining light on prospects that will make a difference at the next level have been pushed out over the offseason. This group is made up of dynamic athletes that will end up on the defensive side of the ball and cause problems for opposing offenses.

Check out the updated Class of 2027 rankings!

Missouri 2027 Rankings

*** Use code StopPRZ30 to crank 30% off your subscription to PrepRedzone ***

Josh McCarthy

MO #21

LB/ATH #4

HEIGHT 6'2"

WEIGHT 215

POS LB/ATH

CLASS 2027

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Josh McCarthy

State: Missouri

School: Farmington

All State Linebacker, First Team All District-All Conference-All Region. Finished 2025 with 119 TKL, 33 TFL, 9.5 SK, 5 PBU, 3 FR, 1 TD on defense. 17 REC, 507 YDS, 9 TD, 7 CAR, 74 YDS, 1 TD offensively. Big time two way player with absurd production out of the linebacker position. High motor, quick trigger player with a nose for the ball. Plays inside and outside at the second level. Shows lateral fluidity, good with his hands defeating blocks and also using athletic ability to win at the point of attack. Reliable wrap tackler, runs his feet on contact, drives ball carriers backwards, closes hard in pursuit. Anticipates the passing lanes. Sideline to sideline player with good physicality. Plays all over the box and keeps offenses guessing. Iowa State is his only power conference offer to this point. Has academies and other FBS/FCS options. Committed to the Cyclones in June.