RETURNING STANDOUT

2027 LB Preston Hartley emerged as one of the leaders of Linsly’s defense last season and continues to trend in the right direction. Hartley finished with 61 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and two sacks while consistently finding his way around the football. He brings a physical style to the linebacker position and has the versatility to line up inside or outside depending on matchups. Hartley also saw time at running back and fullback late in the season, adding another layer to his value. He’s firmly in the conversation as one of the top linebacker prospects in West Virginia’s 2027 class and is a player D2 programs should be paying close attention to this fall as a multi-sport standout for the Cadets.

Preston Hartley Preston Hartley 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB The Linsly School | 2027 State WV is a name colleges need to get familiar with as they sort through the 2027 linebacker board. The Linsly junior took a noticeable jump this season and became the tone-setter in the middle of that defense, finishing with 61 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. He plays the position the right way, downhill, physical, and around the football more often than not, and there’s enough versatility there to line him up inside or bump him outside depending on the front. What stood out late in the year was his willingness to contribute offensively as a RB/FB, which tells you a lot about his toughness and value to the program. Now it’s about building on that foundation with the potential to solidify himself as one of the top linebacker prospects in the class.

Another new linebacker prospect to add to your 2027 recruiting boards is Linsly’s Preston Hartley Preston Hartley 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB The Linsly School | 2027 State WV . He came on strong in his junior year for the Cadets and developed into a terror at middle linebacker who can also play on the outside. Hartley is another downhill physical player who flies to the football and has a nose for always being in the play.