Ohio’s Top Six Linebackers 2022

The top linebackers in Ohio for the 2022 class are talented players who are equally as talented as run stoppers and pass defenders. All are athletic in space, showing the ability to redirect and transition while maintaining balance and body control. They are physical tacklers that like to punish the ball carrier or receiver when making contact. The top six linebackers in the class will be on Division 1 college rosters in the fall of 2022 with the top two playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34375" first="Gabe" last="Powers"]     6’4” 225     Marysville</strong> Powers received multiple offers from D1 power five universities over a year ago and made a quick decision to attend nearby Ohio State. Powers has all the physical tools to be a big-time outside linebacker for the Buckeyes. He has size, speed, range, quickness, and the physicality to excel for the Buckeyes. Powers also doubles as a running back for the Monarchs and displays breakaway speed for such a big guy. Defensively, he is a tremendous edge rusher who can chase plays down from behind. He uses his size and length effectively to be a dominate player. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34374" first="CJ" last="Hicks"]     6’4” 220     Kettering Alter</strong> Like Powers, Hicks is an outstanding athlete who plays both sides of the ball for his high school. Besides linebacker, CJ can play running back, wide receiver, and returns punts. At the linebacking position, no one times the blitz better than Hicks. Whether from the edge or up the middle, he explodes on the snap running by or through blockers. He is a physical tackler than punishes the quarterback or ball carrier on contact. Hicks displays his versatility in man pass coverage by picking up tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. CJ will be teammates of Powers at Ohio State University upon graduation. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34396" first="Christopher" last="Jackson"]     6’2” 210     Toledo Central Catholic</strong> Jackson is one of the quickest linebackers in the state both physically and mentally. He reads and reacts to the offensive play and scheme instantly. He flies up from the second level to stop perimeter runs by maintain inside-out leverage on the ball carrier then finishes the play by driving his legs through the tackle. Jackson is just as physical when breaking on passes by separating the receiver from the football on contact. He will be a valuable contributor on special teams at the next level on coverage units where he is a superb tackler in space. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91508" first="Derell" last="Beddingfield"]     6’2” 190     Cleveland Benedictine</strong> This linebacker can bluff and disguise the blitz as good as anyone. Beddingfield can line up inside or outside then drop in coverage, blitz, or play read defense without tipping off the offense. When blitzing from the edge, he does a masterful job of flattening along the line of scrimmage when the ball is handed off and delivering a hit on the ball carrier. He displays skill in pass coverage by extending through the hook to curl to flat zones. He shows the same football skills in transitioning out of man coverage to make a play on the football. Beddingfield already has received an offer from the University of Cincinnati. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34450" first="Adam" last="Trick"]     6’4” 220     Huber Heights Wayne</strong> Trick is a savvy linebacker that reacts well in space. He can change direction in the openfield and take the correct pursuit angle to get to the football. Quicker than fast, Trick is a long and lean intimidating outside linebacker that completely engulfs opposing quarterbacks when making the sack. He has a great motor and goes till the whistle blows. Adam has excellent awareness in pass coverage. He understands pass pattern concepts and knows when to pass receivers off and when to lock up on them. Being a tall linebacker, he knows how to use his hands in keeping blockers off his legs. He is drawing a lot of interest from MAC schools. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91509" first="Jonathan" last="Thompson     6’2” 215    Columbus St. Francis DeSales</strong> As the case with Trick, Thompson is getting attention from several MAC level universities. Doubling as a running back, Thompson is shifty in the hips and can kick into a different gear when necessary. As a linebacker, Thompson can cover a lot of territory both when attacking the line of scrimmage or in the openfield. He has knack for creating a turnover when making a tackle on the ball carrier. He often accelerates by blockers to make the play and can plant and redirect due to his athleticism. It will be interesting to see what side of the ball he plays on at the next level of competition.