RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThere’s a slew of elite linebacker prospects in the 2027 cycle and nearly all of them are already committed ahead of their senior seasons.
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 recruits, 33 are currently off the board and they’ve committed to 25 different schools.
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Texas A&M’s top-ranked recruiting class includes the nation’s No. 1 LB. Ten different SEC teams have a commitment from a blue-chipper at the position, as of July 31.
Rivals breaks down where the top linebackers in the 2027 recruiting cycle are currently committed:
Kaden Henderson — Texas A&M
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 31 NATL. (No. 1 LB) School: Tampa Jesuit (Fla.) Committed Since: June 18
Henderson was unsurprisingly prioritized by numerous high-profile programs, and at times, it looked like an in-state school would keep him home. Florida and Miami were heavily in the mix, as was Notre Dame and Ohio State, in addition to A&M. The Aggies got him back to College Station for an official visit and swiped the momentum from there. He’s one of five five-stars committed to A&M and is also the lone five-star LB in the cycle. Henderson reminds Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team of Myles Jack .
“Prototypical off-ball linebacker prospect who displays elite length with tremendous athletic ability to close to ball carriers from sideline to sideline,” Rivals National Scout wrote about Henderson this spring . “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.”
Cooper Witten — Oklahoma
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 45 NATL. (No. 2 LB) School: Liberty Christian (Texas) Committed Since: March 3
The son of former legendary NFL tight end Jason Witten , Cooper gave myriad programs a look early on in his recruitment. Tennessee is the legacy destination, while schools like Clemson and Notre Dame also took a swing. But once the elder Witten was hired as Oklahoma’s new TEs coach, it was the Sooners that started to trend for the borderline five-star. OU had a lot more than that going for it, though. Cooper committed directly after taking a spring trip to Norman.
“Oklahoma made an impression on me from the beginning because Coach (Brent) Venables was the first coach to offer me,” Witten told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman . “I strongly believe in the vision he has for me and where the program is going.”
Jhadyn Nelson — Texas Tech
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 58 NATL. (No. 3 LB) School: Langham Creek (Texas) Committed Since: March 18
Texas Tech has gone all over the country to land top high school talent, but it also continues to target the best of the best in the Lone Star State. Nelson, the No. 7 player in Texas, considered all of his local options, but the Red Raiders stood out in multiple ways. Not only were they his first offer, but they also made a splash on the NIL front.
“They gave me a deal I couldn’t pass up,” Nelson told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman . “The people there get me excited to be a Red Raider,” he recently added. “The fanbase there is the base of a program I wanna play for. I’m just ready to see what the rest of this 2027 class and I can accomplish, and bring Texas Tech back to its old roots.”
Omarii Sanders — Vanderbilt
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 60 NATL. (No. 4 LB) School: Franklin Road Academy (Tenn.) Committed Since: Nov. 29, 2025
Vanderbilt found a way to sign in-state Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Jared Curtis last cycle and Clark Lea would love to keep that ball rolling with top local talent in the 2027 cycle. Sanders is the No. 2 player in Tennessee and he made an early pledge to the Commodores. Big-name programs have since offered and tried to get involved, but he has since “shut down” his recruitment.
“Tall, rangy athlete who shows a skill set that translates well at linebacker. Measured in at around 6-foot-3.5, 210 pounds prior to his senior season. Should be able to easily tack on more mass to his frame once in a college strength program,” Rivals’ Director of Scouting Charles Power previously wrote of Sanders . “Lines up at safety and wide receiver for his high school team, but is an easy linebacker projection given the skill set.”
AJ Randle Jr. — Miami
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 67 NATL. (No. 5 LB) School: Garner (N.C.) Committed Since: May 21
Miami has gone all over the nation to secure commitments this cycle and Randle, the No. 5 prospect in the state of North Carolina, was a massive win back in May. He ultimately chose The U over South Carolina and is a key defensive piece for Corey Hetherman and Co. Randle reminds Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team of Jihaad Campbell .
“They don’t just recruit me, they recruit my family as well. Whether it’s offense, defense or special teams, they all know who I am, they know who my mom is, they know who my dad is and they treat us very well. They did a great job getting to know us, putting time in and that showed me a lot,” Randle told Rivals’ Chad Simmons .
Toa Satele — Oregon
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 77 NATL. (No. 6 LB) School: Mililani (Hi.) Committed Since: June 3
Oregon wasn’t going to let Satele, now the No. 1 prospect in Hawaii, get away after he logged a pair of visits to Eugene this year. The athletic thumper began to trend toward the Ducks as he headed into his official visit at the end of May. He pledged just a couple days later and is one of eight top-100 overall prospects committed to the Big Ten program this cycle.
“Versatile linebacker who has the ability to play multiple spots and could even grow in to an edge in a ...
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