2021 Rankings: Linebacker Breakdown

Welcome back to our 2021 positional breakdowns, today we will be looking at the linebackers for this class. This group features some division 1 guys who play for big teams, and a few players we think are a little underrated. Here are some of the top LBs in the class of 2021. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2021-rankings/">Click Here to take a look at our full updated rankings for the class of 2021</a> [player_tooltip player_id="38498" first="Rejhan" last="Tatum"] - <strong>Del City</strong> First up we have the Boise State commit [player_tooltip player_id="38498" first="Rejhan" last="Tatum"]. Tatum is one half of perhaps the best LB duo in the state with fellow teammate [player_tooltip player_id="38497" first="Donovan" last="Stephens"]. While it is up for debate whether Stephens is a LB or DB, the same can not be said for Tatum. That is not a knock on Tatum, but rather a compliment to Stephens’ athleticism and Tatum’s abilities as an LB. Tatum plays on the inside most of his snaps, but he is truly a rangy, sideline to sideline defender who can make plays all over the field thanks to his elite instincts and athleticism. Tatum is great at chasing ball carriers down in the open field and looks more than comfortable in pass coverage. The mountain west better get ready for Rejhan, because he is a special linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id="38489" first="Collin" last="Oliver"] - <strong>Edmond </strong><strong>Santa Fe</strong> Collin is our top-rated LB and perhaps the best defender in the class outside of a few DBs, but his future may be the brightest rushing off the edge. Collin is more than capable of playing as a more traditional inside linebacker but has made quite the living the last couple of seasons coming off the edge for the Wolves where he has been excellent at beating blockers with a lethal combination of speed, power, and instincts. He will be a tremendous asset for Oklahoma State in the years to come because he has the ability to be an elite edge rusher while also playing like a true linebacker in the run game where he is excellent at sealing the edge. [player_tooltip player_id="38516" first="Emaud" last="Triplett"] - <strong>Owasso</strong> Next on our list is Owasso’s defensive leader, [player_tooltip player_id="38516" first="Emaud" last="Triplett"]. While Oliver is more of an edge rusher and Tatum is a little bit of a more modern hybrid LB who excels best in space, Triplett is definitely more of a traditional, pure linebacker. Triplett is best in the run game and screen game where he is excellent at diagnosing plays and reacting to them before they have a chance to fully develop, however, he is no slouch in coverage. Additionally, Triplett is one of the best tacklers in the state and makes quite a few of them thanks to his excellent instincts and block shedding ability. Triplett is currently committed to Army and looks to be a great fit for them as he is a great run stopper and Army plays a lot of programs each year that primarily rely on the run for their offensive production. [player_tooltip player_id="38571" first="Darius" last="Moore"] - <strong>El Reno</strong> Moore is a player I have watched in person a couple of times this year and based on what I’ve seen he is not getting the recognition in the recruiting circuit that he deserves. Moore currently holds offers from a few division 2 schools but I think his ceiling is a little higher than that. Moore is more of a traditional, run-stopping inside linebacker who thrives at stuffing the run in between the tackles. However, he has also shown that he has the athleticism to play in space as he has had quite a bit of success playing running back for the Indians in the last couple of seasons. Moore may not have the ceiling of a [player_tooltip player_id="38489" first="Collin" last="Oliver"] or [player_tooltip player_id="38516" first="Emaud" last="Triplett"], but he is definitely a high caliber player who deserves a shot at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="38548" first="Owen" last="Heinecke"] - <strong>Bishop Kelley</strong> To round out our LB list for 2021 we have another player who is being underrated in [player_tooltip player_id="38548" first="Owen" last="Heinecke"]. Heinecke is an all-around athlete who broke out in a big way as a Junior when Bishop Kelley caught the injury bug, and so far this season Owen has improved on that season and then some. He plays both ways for Bishop Kelley but we think his best projection is at LB where he has been excellent at covering ground in a hurry to make some big plays. Owen currently has a couple of Division 1 offers from Army and Navy, but with the season he is having it is shocking that he doesn’t have more. Whatever team he lands on will be getting a linebacker with great instincts and ball skills due to his experience playing running back for the Comets.