Rivals Rankings Week: Updated 2021 LB rankings
From a rankings standpoint, this 2021 group of linebackers had not been particularly noteworthy compared with recent classes. After seeing senior seasons, though, our appreciation for the linebacker talent in this class has increased. The first two five-stars at the position have been named, and the number of linebackers in the Rivals100 increases to 13.
2021 Rankings: Inside linebacker | Outside linebacker
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE:
Monday: Five-Star Countdown
Tuesday: New Rivals250 | Mind of Mike: Farrell's thoughts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Big movers | Hot teams
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
PROGRAMS WITH THE TOP CLASSES: Alabama, LSU
Both Alabama and LSU feature four commitments at the linebacker position, all rated four-stars or higher. Led by new five-star Dallas Turner, Alabama’s group of four linebackers rates out just a little bit higher than LSU’s, but both classes feature elite athletes and depth of talent. Joining Turner in Alabama’s current class are inside linebackers Deontae Lawson and Kendrick Blackshire, both of whom earned ratings bumps up to 5.9 in this update, as well as 5.8 four-star Ian Jackson.
LSU’s group is headlined by California four-star Raesjon Davis, the fourth-ranked outside linebacker in the class. He is joined by fellow Rivals250 prospects Naquan Brown, Zavier Carter and Greg Penn. Other programs building strong linebacker classes include Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee.
PROSPECTS ON THE RISE: Barrett Carter, Dallas Turner
The linebacker position had not featured a five-star in this 2021 class until this most recent update. A pair of players – Alabama outside linebacker commit Dallas Turner and Clemson inside linebacker commit Barrett Carter – earned their fifth stars in the most recent update, and sit in the top spot at their respective positions. Carter was already the top-ranked inside linebacker prospect in the class, but earned his fifth star and a bump higher in the Rivals250 after a strong senior season. Turner’s rise was more acute, jumping from the No. 136 ranked 2021 prospect and No. 7 outside linebacker to top 20 nationally and No. 1 at his position.
PROSPECT TO WATCH: Xavian Sorey
After a 150-point jump, Florida linebacker Xavian Sorey lands at No. 48 in the Rivals250 and ranks as the fourth-best linebacker prospect in the class. Previously listed in the Athlete ranking because of his abilities on both offense and defense, Sorey moves to the outside linebacker position in this update, which is where most programs were recruiting him. He comes off a big senior season at IMG Academy, after transferring there from Graceville High in Florida’s panhandle.
Why he is particularly interesting to watch in the near term is because Sorey is the highest-ranked uncommitted linebacker prospect, and he plans to announce his decision on the first day of the Early Signing Period. His trio of finalists consists of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, with the Bulldogs being the current FutureCast favorite.