The 2027 recruiting cycle has moved at warp speed in terms of commitments. There aren’t many uncommitted blue-chippers left on the board and that’s especially true when looking at the linebacker position.
According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies, there are 35 blue-chip linebackers in the cycle. Of those 35, just two are uncommitted, as of July 17.
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Those 33 pledges have gone to 25 different schools. Rivals breaks down which programs have built the top hauls at the linebacker position so far this cycle:
5-star Kaden Henderson (No. 31 NATL., No. 1 LB)
4-star Mikahi Allen (No. 205 NATL., No. 17 LB)
4-star Aston Whiteside (No. 374 NATL., No. 31 LB)
Texas A&M has the No. 1 class in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It is the only program that currently holds commitments from three blue-chip linebackers.
Henderson committed last month during official visit season. He’s the lone five-star LB in the industry rankings following the latest updates. The Tampa Jesuit star is the No. 4 player in Florida and he chose A&M over Miami and Notre Dame, among others.
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Henderson’s pledge came just over two weeks after Whiteside jumped in the boat. He was a three-star upon making his commitment and has since seen his stock rise ahead of the upcoming season.
Allen is the latest blue-chip addition to the class after committing on July 11. The No. 5 player in New Jersey is a versatile playmaker and fielded interest from top programs across the country.
4-star Cooper Witten (No. 45 NATL., No. 2 LB)
4-star Taven Epps (No. 104 NATL., No. 9 LB)
Oklahoma is the only program to hold commitments from a pair of top-10 linebackers to date. Both were earlier wins on the trail for Brent Venables and Co.
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Epps was originally ranked as an ‘EDGE’ prospect but was moved to linebacker by Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team this week. He slots in as the No. 9 player at the position and is also the No. 10 player in California. He’s been committed since January.
Witten went public with a humongous pledge in March. He’s the son of new OU tight ends coach and legendary NFL TE Jason Witten. Cooper remains on the cusp of five-star status and could easily reach the final 32 when it’s all said and done this fall. He’s the No. 5 player in Texas this cycle.
4-star AJ Randle Jr. (No. 67 NATL., No. 5 LB)
4-star Noah Glover (No. 219 NATL., No. 20 LB)
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Miami has gone across the nation to assemble its No. 3 recruiting class. It went up the East Coast for each of its linebacker pledges this cycle.
First came Randle Jr. on May 21. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound thumper is the No. 5 player in North Carolina. He chose the Hurricanes over South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and plenty others.
Glover followed just 10 days later after taking his official visit to Coral Gables. The No. 3 player in Virginia, like essentially every other commit in the Miami class, has since shut his recruitment down and is set on playing for Mario Cristobal, Corey Hetherman and Co. next year.
Other top 2027 LB classes so far
Ohio State
4-star Prince Goldsby (No. 101 NATL., No. 8 LB)
4-star Quinton Cypher (No. 213 NATL., No. 19 LB)
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Auburn
4-star Isaac McNeil (No. 90 NATL., No. 7 LB)
4-star Kareem Palmer (No. 330 NATL., No. 26 LB)
Oregon
4-star Toa Satele (No. 77 NATL., No. 6 LB)
4-star Brandon Lockley Jr. (No. 395 NATL., No. 35 LB)
Florida
4-star Ja’Bios Smith (No. 160 NATL., No. 14 LB)
4-star Ellis McGaskin (No. 373 NATL., No. 30 LB)
3-star Tre Geathers (No. 607 NATL., No. 48 LB)
