2027 Mingo Central LB Taegan Hackney Taegan Hackney 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2027 State WV is producing at the same rate he did as a freshman this season for the Miners. He’s elevated his game and is showing the potential we saw from him early in his career. Through the first four games, Hackney is leading the team in tackles with 62, including 9 for a loss. He’s led a stingy defense the past three games, giving up an average of 9 points per game as a force in the middle of their defense. Hackney looks more athletic this season, on top of his usual physical prowess, and is on pace to earn some postseason accolades for his play.

2027 Mingo Central LB Taegan Hackney Taegan Hackney 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2027 State WV has been a very productive player for the Miners in both of his seasons at the high school level. We expect him to do more of the same in 2025 as a junior and elevate his game even further after another offseason. Hackney is a tough-as-nails downhill middle linebacker with a throwback mindset for the position. He’s a tackling machine with good play recognition and physicality that translates to high production at the linebacker position.

Mingo Central has one of the early top 2027 linebackers in the state with Taegan Hackney Taegan Hackney 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2027 State WV who had a great debut freshman season for the Miners in 2023. He’ll return as a young defensive leader for the Miners this season and is a prospect to know for the future as he continues to develop.

Here’s what we recently said about Hackney in our 2027 rankings Debut article:

“The most productive varsity 2027 prospect last season had to be Mingo Central LB  Taegan Hackney Taegan Hackney 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2027 State WV  who produced a huge freshman campaign for the Miners in 2023. Hackney totaled 106 tackles and 17 TFLs as a first-year player and leader of the defense as a freshman. He’s another 2027 prospect that we got to see in person at our Combine event and now debuts as a Top 30 player and #3 LB in the class. Size is the one concern with Hackney that keeps him a bit lower at this point, but if he keeps growing his ceiling is high as a prospect. He’s a very smart young player and plays the game like a veteran for his age. Hackney was a confident player as a freshman and led the team in tackles from his middle linebacker spot which not only speaks to his ability but also shows the trust his coaches have in him.”

The most productive varsity 2027 prospect last season had to be Mingo Central LB Taegan Hackney Taegan Hackney 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2027 State WV who produced a huge freshman campaign for the Miners in 2023. Hackney totaled 106 tackles and 17 TFLs as a first-year player and leader of the defense as a freshman. He’s another 2027 prospect that we got to see in person at our Combine event and now debuts as a Top 30 player and #3 LB in the class. Size is the one concern with Hackney that keeps him a bit lower at this point, but if he keeps growing his ceiling is high as a prospect. He’s a very smart young player and plays the game like a veteran for his age. Hackney was a confident player as a freshman and led the team in tackles from his middle linebacker spot which not only speaks to his ability but also shows the trust his coaches have in him.

If Hackney can get closer to 6’0 by the time he’s a senior, he’ll finish as a top prospect in the 2027 class.