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C&C previously took a look at the 2027 linebacker group several months back with the full article here, but here is the full breakdown.
The TO WATCH FOR group featured several potential risers, including Jared Rhodes (Fairmont Senior), Mason Jones (Philip Barbour), Connor Rice (Lincoln), Aidan Compton (Ritchie County), Landon Ross (South Harrison), Gunnar Bradshaw (Frankfort), Corey Cook (Poca), Cane Thompson (Tug Valley), along with Dustin Sanner (Wheeling Central), Robert Miller (South Charleston), Jaxson Rappold (Hurricane), Devin Widman (Parkersburg), and Clayton Cramer (Winfield), all identified as players trending toward bigger roles in 2026.
The HYBRIDS group highlighted versatile defenders, including Cole Kendzerski (Linsly), Carson Samples (Winfield), Preston Hartley (Linsly), Jaion Tucker (Riverside), Devon Short (Hurricane), and Brody Jeran (Bridgeport), each showing coverage ability, range, and positional flexibility.
The MIKES group featured traditional inside linebackers, including Keshawn Bland (Greenbrier East), Kane Williams (Morgantown), Collin Andis (Morgantown), Dayne Murphy (Doddridge County), Cade Compton (Oak Hill), Taegan Hackney (Mingo Central), Chadney Stanback (Bluefield), and Eli Thompson (Cabell Midland), all recognized for their physicality, instincts, and interior production.
The top five rankings were led by Ilias King (Huntington) at No. 1, followed by Gabe Martin (Bridgeport), Carson Treadway (Independence), Tavion Woods (George Washington, formerly Riverside, and Parker Bigelow (North Marion, formerly Fairmont Senior), each highlighted for their instincts, range, production, and overall impact on defense.
Updates
There has been plenty of movement within this group over the past few months, highlighted by both transfer activity and growing recruiting interest.
Among the notable transfers, Parker Bigelow moved from Fairmont Senior, while Tavion Woods transferred from Riverside to George Washington. Both moves bring additional athleticism and experience to their new programs and could have a significant impact on their respective units this fall.
Recruiting activity has also accelerated, particularly among programs in the Mountain East Conference. Offers were extended to Lias King (Huntington), Chadney Stanback (Bluefield), Cade Compton (Oak Hill), Brody Jeran (Bridgeport), and Gabe Martin (Bridgeport), all of whom continue to gain traction with college programs. Teagan Hackney (Mingo Central) also began attracting Division III attention as his recruitment starts to develop.
Perhaps no player in the group saw more recruiting momentum than Carson Treadway (Independence), who collected offers from multiple programs and continues to establish himself as one of the more sought-after prospects in the class. Another name to add is Wheeling Central’s Dustin Sanner who recently picked up a D1 offer from Drake.
New Names
Several players have emerged as new names to watch following strong offseason performances and growing recruiting interest.
Blake Snodgrass (Shady Spring) has quickly worked his way onto recruiting boards after collecting multiple offers and continuing to build momentum throughout the offseason.
The Musselman duo of Gabe Burson and William Burson, who transferred from Martinsburg, both impressed at the showcase with strong all-around performances and continue to generate attention from evaluators.
Isaac Pickens (Lewis County) turned in a notable showcase performance that helped elevate his profile, while Carson Knight (Martinsburg) also delivered a strong outing that reinforced his potential moving forward.
Additional names worth monitoring include Kadyn Baisden and Greyson Wyland (Buckhannon-Upshur), Koltyn Starcher (Roane County), and Kaeden Barr (East Fairmont). Each has shown enough development and upside to place themselves firmly on the radar heading into the upcoming season.