OLB/EDGE Primed for Breakout Seasons In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded two weeks ago with the East-West All-Star Game, marking the start of preparations for the upcoming season. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm starting a new series discussing players at each position who are poised to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series are the outside linebackers/edge rushers. I've selected five potential breakout stars to discuss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The majority of the student-athletes on this list are underclassmen, with two being rising seniors who have shown immense potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2054360} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/PageLB.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2054360" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'] (#13). Taken by Shayne Pickering, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'] – Page High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'] was stuck in Page's loaded linebacker room, but saw a good amount of playing time for the Patriots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-2, 210-pound player saw action in double-digit games, recording nearly 30 tackles and multiple sacks. He's one of my favorite outside backers to watch due to his elite motor and athleticism off the edge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior is a versatile piece to the Page defense. He can drop into coverage or walk up in the box to shut down opposing offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With several key pieces graduating, expect him to have a big season in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1137523} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/36-Houston-Payne-e1704580306684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1137523" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: CPA EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='989275' first='Houston' last='Payne'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='989275' first='Houston' last='Payne'] – Christ Presbyterian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='989275' first='Houston' last='Payne'] is an intriguing prospect who began to see playing time this past season, but is due for a breakout campaign in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end, but projects as an edge rusher due to his explosiveness and speed off the edge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He finished the year with 19 tackles and a sack in eight games played against arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne possesses a nice frame as a 6-foot-2, 225-pound edge rusher with long arms. The 2028 prospect is strong and physical, with the ability to set the edge and play in all facets of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1138254} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/99-Jayden-Cannon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1138254" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA ATH [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] – Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] is one of two players in this series who are featured twice, which speaks to the outstanding athlete that he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This time, I want to give him a shoutout as an outside linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He boasts good size, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, with a long frame and impressive athleticism. Cannon is a fluid mover with swift feet and the ability to move sideline-to-sideline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a solid coverage guy, but the BGA outside linebacker is at his best when he's in the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 prospect is physical, enabling him to be effective against larger offensive linemen or when tackling the ball carrier. Cannon is one of the few returning starters on that defense, so he's due for a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2089297} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/41-Chevy-Armour-rotated-crop-2832x1860-1766697576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2089297" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland OLB [player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'] – Oakland High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='906648' first='Chevy' last='Armour'] is often forgotten about with Oakland having such a loaded defense, but he was quietly one of their most productive players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 15 games, he recorded 64 tackles, 10 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six QB hurries and two interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a compact outside linebacker, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds. While he's on the smaller side, Armour is strong and uses his toughness and athleticism to be one of the better defenders in the Midstate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior is a speedy player who excels at stuffing the run and playing coverage in the flat, but can also slide over to play inside backer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1752271} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Dhillon-Booker.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1752271" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA DL [player_tooltip player_id='1665616' first='Dhillon' last='Booker'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1665616' first='Dhillon' last='Booker'] – Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1665616' first='Dhillon' last='Booker'] had a solid freshman year for the FRA Panthers, where he was a rotational edge rusher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His technique is sound, but the most impressive part about his game is the fluidity and athleticism he possesses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very few trench players, especially freshmen, move as well as that young man does. You can tell that he's been working on his craft in depth, demonstrating the kind of work ethic he possesses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Booker is well-built, standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 218 pounds, with a lean physique and long frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He must grow some more, but the rising sophomore has all the makings of a high-level Division I edge rusher. I'm intrigued to see the progress he makes from now to the 2026 season, where he should have a breakout campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->