Top linebacker recruits in the updated 2027 Rivals300

Nairavoice | Jun 6, 2026 1h ago 254 0 8 min read

Top linebacker recruits in the updated 2027 Rivals300

The linebacker position is once again loaded with top talent. Of the 300 prospects featured in the 2027 Rivals300 rankings, 25 are linebackers.

Of those 25, 18 are currently committed, as of June 5. Those 18 commitments have dispersed among 14 schools. Four programs — Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma and Miami — have landed a pair of blue-chip LBs this cycle.

Below is a look at the top linebackers in the updated 2027 Rivals300 rankings as we head into the heart of the summer:

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 21
School:high-school/jesuit-tampa-fl-3477/">Jesuit (Fla.)

Scouting Summary: Prototypical off-ball linebacker prospect who displays elite length with tremendous athletic ability to close to ball carriers from sideline to sideline. Verified 6-foot-1, 218 pounds with incredibly long 34-inch levers at inside linebacker. Has quality range and closing speed, combined with the ability to trigger to the ball quickly. A very heady and instinctive player who processes the game efficiently. Quick downhill mover that is willing to take on blocks and stick their face in the fan. Violent tackler on impact that explodes through contact. Shows some pass-rush ability off the edge and as a designed blitzer. Comfortable in space and fluid in coverage. One of the more polished off-ball backers in the last few recruiting cycles at the position. Has the chance to be an every-down player at the next level that can be a versatile chess piece in the front seven for a multitude of defensive schemes.

— Georgia commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 31
School:South Paulding (Ga.)

Scouting Summary: Thumping inside linebacker with instincts and play speed that stand out among the 2027 linebacker group. Measured in at around 6-foot-1.5 and over 230 pounds with good length prior to his senior season. Posted a breakout junior season, emerging as a national prospect in the process. A throwback inside linebacker. Quickly diagnoses plays and triggers downhill. Able to stack and shed to get off of blocks when working as a run defender between the tackles. Flashes high-end burst and closing speed in pursuit and as a blitzer. Shows some ability in coverage, but at his best when moving downhill. Finished his junior season with 100 tackles and two sacks. Will need to watch his weight as he is heavier than most future NFL Draft picks at the position. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years-old in August of his senior year. One of the more instinctive pure linebacker prospects in the 2027 cycle.

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— Oklahoma commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 37
School:Liberty Christian (Texas)

Scouting Summary: Versatile linebacker that possesses range, sideline to sideline top-end speed and tremendous instincts. 6-foot-1, 210 pounds that has verified athletic ability. Ran sub-11 in the 100m during his sophomore track and field season. Primarily played safety as a sophomore but has since walked down into a more traditional linebacker role. Doubles as a wide receiver as well for his high school showing off his athletic ability and ball skills. Needs to continue developing his ability to strike and physicality in the box, but has top-tier athleticism to make plays in space and cover. Older prospect for the recruiting cycle.

— Texas Tech commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 41
School:Langham Creek (Texas)

Scouting Summary: Elite physical talent who has the potential to be a versatile defensive weapon. Measured at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds at the Rivals Camp in Houston prior to his senior season. Has 32.5-inch arms with hands that measure over 10 inches. An elite athlete in the combine setting, posting a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, 35.2-inch vertical, and 10’9.1 foot broad jump at the Rivals Camp – all elite marks. Shows the athleticism on Friday nights, where he lines up at all three levels of the defense for his high school team, taking reps as a pass rusher, outside linebacker, and safety. The top notch movement skills jump out immediately. An explosive, smooth mover who covers space quickly. Shows the ability to quickly generate pressure off the edge. Coordinated when working in spaces and shows impressive range in coverage. Eliminates angles and has sideline to sideline speed. Finished his junior season with 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Has solid physicality, but can continue improving his instincts and take-on ability as an off-ball linebacker. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years-old in June prior to his senior season. Could have the highest upside of all linebacker prospects in the 2027 cycle with the potential to grow into a top pass-rusher.

— Miami commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 57
School:Garner (N.C.)

Scouting Summary: Toolsy defender who is one of the more physically-gifted linebacker prospects in the 2027 cycle. Listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and looks to have a big frame with plus length. Lines up as an outside linebacker for his high school. High-end combination of size and speed immediately jumps out. Covers ground quickly and shows sideline-to-sideline range. Shows palpable burst as a pursuit defender. Oftentimes looks like the fastest player on the field. Hawks down running backs in the open field. Eliminates angles with his speed. Also shows potential as a blitzer and pass rusher off the edge. Saw snaps at quarterback and wide receiver as a junior, flashing playmaking ability and athleticism. A three sport athlete in track and basketball. A star hurdler who won a state title in the 300m hurdles (37.38 seconds) as a junior. Still developing true off-ball linebacker instincts and may need time to adjust to playing as an inside linebacker at the college level. Can continue improving pop as a tackler. Has athletic bloodlines with several members of his family as college athletes, including his mother who is in Clemson’s Hall-of-Fame as a track athlete. Size, athleticism, and budding skill set make him one of the higher ceiling defenders in the 2027 cycle.

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— Clemson commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 60
School:Howell (Mich.)

Scouting Summary: Multi-positional high school player with the physical tools to play defense at a high-major level as a linebacker, possibly on the EDGE or as a combination of the two. Physically built like a college player. Big and strong, but separates from others his size because of straight-line speed and athleticism. Comes from a running back background and is a good all-around athlete who is comfortable catching the ball and playing in space. Runs 11.1 in the 100-meter dash and shows that speed in closing on ball carriers but also running with receivers in coverage. Has only played one real season of defense in high school and will need to continue to learn to read keys and improve on technical aspects of coverage and shedding blocks. But from a pure physical talent perspective, he has rare upside and tools.

— Oregon commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 74
School:Mililani (Hi.)

Scouting Summary: Versatile linebacker who has the ability to play multiple spots and could even grow in to an edge in a few years. Has a long 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame with room to add good weight. Plays both inside and off-ball linebacker, shows natural pass rush skill and is comfortable playing in space. Fluid mover who can drop and cover and runs well enough to make plays sideline to sideline. Closes well on the football, takes sound angles and is a highly instinctive player. Father Sampson played offensive line for Hawaii and was a 2nd round pick of the Miami Dolphins so Toa was raised on the game and has a high football IQ. A natural athlete who we’ve seen working out at tight end at camps and showcases and could play the position in college as well but defense is definitely where his upside is highest. Projects as a high Power 4 athlete with an NFL ceiling.

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— Ohio State commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 81
School: Blue Springs South (Mo.)

Insider’s Take: “As a junior, Prince Goldsby recorded 13.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. He’ll have a chance to play early in Columbus thanks to his athleticism and versatility but the career path of Reese could be instructive. There’s an argument that it could be sped up a bit, honestly. Reese didn’t become a full-time linebacker until his second season in the program. That’s where Goldsby will start his Ohio State career. It will be up to him and Mick Marotti to determine how much of an impact he can make early.” — Jeremy Birmingham, Lettermen Row

— Auburn commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 82
School:Vigor (Ala.)

McNeil on his commitment: “I would say my relationship with Coach Durkin and the staff. He is a great coach, and we have a strong connection. Those connecitons with the coaches, and just being an Auburn fan growing up, really were big. It was my dream school,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “They made it clear I’m a really high priority for them. Every visit was great. Auburn has a great environment, great energy, and it is really just a great place. I just had to make that decision, and pick the best school for me. It’s Auburn.”

— Vanderbilt commit

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 110
School:Franklin Road Academy (Tenn.)

Sanders on his commitment: “I’m still committed to Vandy and love the staff,” Sanders told Rivals’ Greg Biggins earlier this year. “Coach Lea is phenomenal coach and I love the scheme fit for me. I play the star position, which is king of a hybrid between safety and linebacker and I’m excited to go through the process.”