Senior Stock Risers (Linebackers)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prior to the start of the 2025 season, the linebackers was the one group lacking depth but I believe that has changed after several prospects grew into their bodies and transformed their games. Here are the ten guys I felt pushed themselves to new levels and began to show the potential needed for the college game.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'] - McCallie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Aggressive and fast to the ball, Abercrombie pops on film as someone that shows not just the physical tools but the game play to excel one day on the college stage. The first thing you recognize is the explosiveness that Abercrombie brings to the field. He has a quick first step and once he recognizes the play, the Blue Tornado linebacker explodes towards the ball with speed and violence. Abercrombie is one of the more athletic backers we have from the TN2026 class. He can rush the backfield, play the run or drop in coverage versus the pass. This Chattanooga area defender also has a great body and frame that has room for more size. I truly believe his best football days are ahead of him and whoever signs Abercrombie could be getting a steal and multi-year starter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1655483' first='Dominic' last='Daddabbo'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Daddabbo has been creating some recruiting buzz over the past month and a lot of that is due to his senior season and upside shown on the film. When college coaches look for linebackers, they want guys who play physical and fly to the ball and that's how this East Tennessee talent performs. Daddabbo is an athletic linebacker that runs well, shows excellent range along with the ability to play in space. He is a violent competitor too that embraces contact. There is a lot to like about the Fighting Irish senior but one thing he must do before hitting the field in college is gain the needed weight. Daddabbo sits at about 200 pounds right now, so he must gain the proper weight to compete on a weekly basis in college but the athletic tools are in place to one day become an impact player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2044051,"width":"252px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/ddaddabbo.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2044051" style="width:252px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1699899' first='Kendon' last='Leakes'] - MUS&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going through my scouting while looking at the linebackers, Leakes stood out to me as a hidden gem that I feel could turn into a college starter one day down the road. Standing 6 '1 210 pounds, Leakes has the physical look and size needed but also a player that can do a variety of things on the field from stopping the run, playing in space or rushing the backfield. The Owls senior is an athletic, smooth mover that changes direction very well then allows his instincts and speed to take over. This guy plays fast and he finishes hard. I do like his upside playing in the middle but I can see him working outside in coverage versus tight ends and running backs as well. I'm curious to see where Leakes heads to in college because I like the potential here and his chances at making an impact in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1154541' first='Keilen' last='Dalton'] - Portland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Out of all the linebackers listed in this piece, Dalton may have the most upside given his combination of athleticism, size and speed. The Panthers senior defender stands about 6'3 225 pounds and he moves very well for his size. Dalton shows explosive game play with nice closing speed and a violent approach to the game that should excite college coaches. This could be a versatile backer as well. Dalton has the size/speed combo to work off the edge rushing the passer as well as the ability to drop into coverage and play the pass. More development is needed but the raw tools are certainly in place. I believe Dalton is still coming into his own as you can see vast improvement from his junior to senior year, so the best football looks to be ahead of this Mid-Tennessee product.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1151463' first='Ayden' last='Emmons'] - Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Over the past two years, Emmons has been one of the more productive linebackers we have in the Volunteer State and someone that has steadily improved their stock into a potential Top 10 prospect at his position. The Warriors senior is one of the smartest, high football IQ linebackers within his senior class. Emmons tends to put himself in the right positions to make plays on the ball or re-direct the action towards his teammates. Emmons shows a nose for the ball both in stopping the run or producing interceptions in the pass game. He is also physically well built with broad shoulders that allows him to take on, shed blocks well then chase down the ball with his active motor. I see a future college starting middle linebacker here with Emmons that could see the field early in his career due to his work ethic and football intelligence.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1855132,"width":"234px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/aemmons.webp?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1855132" style="width:234px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale LB [player_tooltip player_id='1151463' first='Ayden' last='Emmons']. Photo by Riverdale Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1540917' first='John' last='Rex Dockery'] - Christian Brothers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Dockery has gone through the recruiting process way under the radar and especially now after a strong senior season that showed vast improvement in several areas. This guy is one of the more aggressive, violent attackers we have from our senior linebacker class that gets downhill fast and disrupts offensive action on a consistent basis. Opposing teams have a hard time dealing with Dockery due to his high octane motor and aggressive nature. I see big potential as a run stopper for the Purple Wave linebacker but also someone that does well in pass coverage as well. While Dockery does run well, I can see him adding more speed and becoming a more feared tackler down the road. The potential is strong here with this Memphis area prospect that should have his best football days ahead of him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2082891' first='Brandon' last='Evans'] - Haywood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This West Tennessee linebacker sits way under the radar headed into the second signing day for the 2026 class and someone that could turn out to be a steal for whoever takes his signature. When you turn on the film, Evans displays outstanding athleticism and speed that translates well to the college game as well as the instincts and violent approach that makes an impact against stopping the run. The Tomcats senior is an agile, fluid mover that the opposition has a hard time blocking due to his athleticism and quickness. The one thing that may have him under the radar is the lack of overall size. Evans stands about 6'0 205 pounds at the moment, so more weight is definitely needed for him to become a starter. The raw talent is in place however for Evans to live in the weight room and turn himself into an eventual impact player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1717949' first='Sean' last='Cunningham'] - Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If any college coach is looking for a tackling machine that plays exceptionally against the run, Cunningham could be your guy. Over the past two years, the Patriots senior has been one of the more productive linebackers we have in the state that plays with great instincts and a violent approach that coaches would enjoy working with. Even though he is undersized at 5 '11, Cunningham plays much bigger with a fearless attitude. Because of his deceptive athleticism and speed, opposing blockers have a hard time dealing with this guy as Cunningham tends to get under blocks and towards the ball on a consistent basis. This is a true middle linebacker that can make an impact in college versus the run, sporting the range to make plays in the backfield and sideline to sideline.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2087606,"width":"269px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/scunningham.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2087606" style="width:269px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1373099' first='Matthew' last='Anderson'] - Ravenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ravenwood made it all the way to the Class 6A state title game this year with one of the better defenses in the state and a big reason why was the play of Anderson. This Mid-Tennessee backer is coming off a highly productive season and the best of his career where he became an impactful player, week in and week out and someone opposing teams had a hard time dealing with. Aggressive and fast to the action with an outstanding motor, Anderson is a game wrecker with a nose for the ball and once he finds it, the Raptors senior finishes with controlled violence. I think his impact will be made in college stopping the run but Anderson has enough athleticism to rush the passer on occasions as well. This guy is a worker and high level competitor that I believe will make his way to the field in the college ranks sooner than later.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1647015' first='Weston' last='Ritter'] - Karns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This senior season did a lot for Ritter and his potential moving towards the college game. The Beavers senior prospect spent a lot of his career going both ways for his team but this Fall was the first time you could really see the upside with Ritter at linebacker. He is a natural athlete that competes exceptionally hard, so his motor is always on go. Ritter runs well too. Now he can get faster and more explosive but his film shows the potential for him to turn into a rangy linebacker that can play sideline to sideline while also having the skill set to rush the backfield. This Knoxville native also has a nice frame to build further in the weight room along with long arms that can make a difference in pass coverage. It may take a few seasons to build out his frame while continuing to learn the position but I see an impact linebacker here with starting potential.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Potential Stock Risers: (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125289' first='Benjamin' last='Buckhold'] </strong>- Chrst. Brothers, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707498' first='Jackson' last='Crawford'] </strong>- Green Hill, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103034' first='Andrew' last='Smith'] </strong>- Maryville, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1581414' first='Joshua' last='Gale'] </strong>- Collierville, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1449768' first='Jaxson' last='Rutledge'] </strong>- Maryville, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657186' first='Zarius' last='Brown'] </strong>- J.C. Merry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2087611,"width":"351px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/writter_7d39f1-crop-1179x775-1766352491.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2087611" style="width:351px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->