5 2027 Defensive Backs Who Have Impressed as Seniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been hitting the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/predicting-winners-and-mvps-for-every-top-10-matchup-in-the-east/">preview</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/monday-musings-week-3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a>&nbsp;parts of North Carolina's 2026 high school football season, and we're also taking the time to highlight&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/5-union-county-offensive-linemen-impressing-early/">underappreciated players</a>. We've been looking through positions that don't get as much notoriety, especially in the week-to-week rhythm of the season. Here, we're looking at five impressive linebackers who have stepped up as seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Linebackers Have Impressed as Seniors?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Check out our other positional pieces from the past week:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/5-2027-edge-rushers-stepping-up-as-seniors/"><em>Edge Rushers</em><br></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/5-2027-idls-who-have-impressed-early/"><em>Interior Defensive Linemen</em><br></a><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/5-union-county-offensive-linemen-impressing-early/">Union County Offensive Linemen</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/5-2027-linebackers-turning-heads/">Linebackers</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1194708"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa2e2e16e719"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We typically speak of Blanchard as a receiver, but after his transfer to North Lenoir, he's excelling as a safety. He has three interceptions already during the young season, and he's showing himself to be a willing and able tackler. He's a speedster with good footwork (nine catches, 113 yards), and that translates to the defensive side of the ball where his range and ability to make plays as a safety are impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2141041"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa2e2e16e78e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deloatch is one of our highest-ranked uncommitted prospects, a long corner who can absolutely fly. He profiles as a solid Group of Five or high-level FCS corner with some versatility to play in multiple alignments and with different techniques. So far through three games, Deloatch has a pick, 10 tackles, and five pass breakups. His tape is excellent against a diverse schedule. Ambassador Christian can get lost as one of the only true independent teams in the state, but he's playing so well that it makes it nearly impossible to miss him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["668586"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa2e2e16e7bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelly's a guy we've seen in the past, and he's stepping up as a senior. The speedster (4.4 40) can line up outside or in the slot, and he's shown improved ball skills as a senior. He's a big play waiting to happen, with two picks and two blocked kicks in three games against quality competition. The senior's a guy I expect to get some recruiting interest in the coming weeks and months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953574"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa2e2e16e7e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stanley's off to a fantastic start to his senior season, with three interceptions in his last two games. He plays longer than his frame, and he's an aggressive corner. He'll frequently jump routes and make quarterbacks pay on throws to the boundary. While that's where he's most comfortable, he's also flashed as a safety and can play multiple positions in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2133929"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa2e2e16e808"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Medley may play a hybrid box safety/linebacker role for Cleveland, but he has the coverage skills to thrive as a true strong safety at the next level. In my opinion, he's underrecruited and a guy who would make a D-II or even FCS school very happy once he got on campus. His versatility is a weapon, and he's already racked up plenty of tackles in the running game from multiple alignments this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>We'll have more on overlooked players throughout the state this season. Follow Prep Redzone for coverage of regions, areas, teams, and players from across the entire state. What did we miss? Who needs to be highlighted? Help us help players, and let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->