So between now and Monday, Feb. 10, when we'll reveal our overall FCS team (Top 50) and individual recruiting rankings (Top 300 recruits), we're going to begin to release some of our early thoughts about each class here — by conference, and by position. Today we release our feelings about the linebacker position and where things stand for those schools.
Also … please remember, this is a ranking of HIGH SCHOOL commitments … this is only one way our FCS rankings differentiate us from 247Sports and Rivals etc. Also … we don't pay any attention to the star rating, this ranking is based solely on how each athlete is coveted, and who wanted him … and how many wanted him. That's it. Film evaluation is something I will leave up to the coaches, as they have their jobs on the line with that. I figure if their jobs are on the line, they're probably doing a pretty good job of figuring out who they want to offer a spot on their rosters. And they are certainly better than I am at making that determination.
[divider]More FCS Coverage:
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Quick rankings explanation:
- Only high school recruits are taken into account. Transfers are separate and will be evaluated much later this spring.
- The system is based on school offers, NOT 247Sports or Rivals. Every level of D-1 (P5, G5, FCS) has a particular tiered point total.
- When it comes to team rankings, it's the value of all of its Dec. signees and current commitments' point totals combined. Every kid counts.
- I respect PWOs — preferred walk-ons. They get credit too. The FCS is the perfect level for walk-ons. They matter to these schools.
- The final national rankings for Top 50 teams and Top 300 individuals will publish Monday, Feb. 10[divider]
All FCS Conference & Position Recruiting Rankings
TOP FCS LB RECRUITS
| RK | FCS TEAM | FCS RECRUIT | HOMETOWN | CONF. | OTHER D-1 OPTIONS |
| 1 | SOUTH DAKOTA | Vincent Starling | Palm Beach, FL | MVFC | USF decommit – 8 P5s, 18 FBS |
| 2 | PRINCETON | Austin Nicholas | Encinitas, CA | IVY | 4 P5, 7 G5, 5 Ivys |
| 3 | CENT. ARKANSAS | Kendarrius Moore | West Memphis, AR | SOUTHLAND | Tulane decommit – Okl. St., Vandy, 9 FBS |
| 4 | FURMAN | Evan DiMaggio | Buford, GA | SOCON | 11 FBS offers, 2 FCS |
| 5 | KENNESAW ST. | Jalen Barnum | Jesup, GA | BIG SOUTH | Purdue, 6 G5, Chatt., Mercer, Wofford |
| 6 | DELAWARE | Debo Williams | Smyrna, DE | CAA | 4 FBS, 11 FCS |
| 7 | PRINCETON | Caleb Coleman | Wellesley, MA | IVY | Rutgers, UMass, Navy, 10 FCS |
| 8 | HARVARD | Brock Locnikar | Scottsdale, AZ | IVY | Rice, Army, New Mex St., 12 FCS |
| 9 | CHATTANOOGA | John Prince | Stockbridge, GA | SOCON | 2 FBS, 12 FCS |
| 10 | CHATTANOOGA | Bo Spearman | Birmingham, AL | SOCON | 4 FBS offers, 7 FCS offers |
| 11 | MONTANA STATE | Brody Grebe | Wallingford, CT | BIG SKY | UMass, Army, 6 FCS |
| 12 | DELAWARE | Dillon Trainer | Philadelphia, PA | CAA | 13 FCS offers |
| 13 | RICHMOND | Wistar Allen | High Point, NC | CAA | 2 FBS, 9 FCS |
| 14 | ETSU | Chandler Martin | Lithonia, GA | SOCON | South Alabama, BGSU, 9 FCS offers |
| 15 | NORTHWESTERN ST. | Princeton Malbrue | Lafayette, LA | SOUTHLAND | 3 G5 offers, 7 FCS offers |
| 16 | CAL POLY | Josh Henderson | Simi Valley, CA | BIG SKY | 6 G5 offers |
| 17 | NEW HAMPSHIRE | Max Tillett | Catawissa, PA | CAA | Army, 10 FCS offers |
| 18 | SACRAMENTO ST. | Mitchell Wolfe | Sumner, WA | BIG SKY | California, 3 FBS, 4 FCS |
| 19 | AUSTIN PEAY | Nick Carozza | Alpharetta, GA | OVC | EKU decommit – 2 FBS, 7 FCS |
| 20 | SAMFORD | Noah Martin | Chattanooga, TN | SOCON | UAB, 11 FCS |
| 21 | MONTANA STATE | Danny Uluilakepa | South Hill, WA | BIG SKY | Utah St., Air Force, 7 FCS |
| 22 | SAM HOUSTON ST. | Jaylen Phillips | Katy, TX | SOUTHLAND | Arizona PWO, NM St., 6 FCS |
| 23 | RICHMOND | Brooks Heagarty | Hendersonville, TN | CAA | 10 FCS offers |
| 24 | FURMAN | Ty Youngblood | Greeneville, TN | SOCON | Army, Air Force, Navy, 3 FCS |
| 25 | WEBER STATE | Kyden Bailey | Clarkston, WA | BIG SKY | Wash. St., Idaho, Idaho St. |
[divider]Listen to the latest episodes of B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast, which is also available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, iHeart, Stitcher and Spreaker.
SUBSCRIBE: B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast
