Rankings Breakdown: Debuting ’24 Linebackers
In this article:
In this piece, we will continue our rankings breakdown of our initial and debuting 2024 rankings with a deep dive into 2024 linebackers who placed on our list. Ranking prospects this early on is always tricky as there tends to be little exposure and limited reps to go around for prospects this early into their high school careers.
We want to ensure our readers that constant information is being gathered from coaches throughout the state as to who should and shouldn’t be on rankings as well as scouts, including myself, keeping up with film being sent to us. If you are not featured and think you should be, hit us up! Check out our Twitter account where you can reach us or leave feedback on our site. We WILL watch your tapes.
Eight linebackers debut on our initial 2024 rankings, yet we already have multiple names on our waiting list ready to be ranked and scouted for our next ranking update coming this summer.
RANK | PLAYER | HT/WT | POS | HIGH SCHOOL | COMMITMENT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Anthony Speca | 6'3" / 215 | LB | Pittsburgh Central Catholic | |
16 | Xander Toland | 5'9" / 170 | LB | Central Dauphin | |
21 | Justin Kalitsnik | 6'1" / 165 | LB | Delaware Valley | |
25 | Luke Snyder | 5'10" / 180 | LB | Shikellamy | |
27 | Carson Steinruck | 5'10" | LB | Blue Mountain | |
28 | Billy Barton | 6'0" | LB | Laurel Highlands | |
40 | Hunter Reitz | LB | Catasauqua | ||
42 | Keith Mincin | LB | Baldwin |
A list composed of a ton of potential. Ranked linebackers #2-4 each show traits that lead us to believe these kids have a bright future at their position. Xander Toland Xander Toland 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Central Dauphin | 2024 State PA out of Central Dauphin can be described as a tad-bit undersized but the 5’9″, 170-pound plays with a ton of energy and effort. He isn’t going to beat you with strength and size yet, but it’s the motor and effort he gives each rep that allows him to stand out at such a young age on a loaded defense. Just wait until this kid grows and hits the weight room. Justin Kalitsnik Justin Kalitsnik 6'1" | 165 lbs | LB Delaware Valley | 2024 State PA , a personal favorite of mine, is slotted at our three spot. Delaware Valley High School has a gem in Kalitsnik. Love his height at 6’1″ and his weight (164lbs) will only improve the more work he puts in. He’s an athletic prospect who moves his feet well initially. Takes good steps and moves laterally well to position himself in the correct gap. He flies around the field and often prefers to dance around incoming lineman. The more he hits the weights, the less likely that is to become a trend. Want him to take on blocks more especially from a middle linebacker spot. Stud nonetheless. Shikellamy’s Luke Snyder Luke Snyder 5'10" | 215 lbs | LB Shikellamy | 2024 State PA was productive, to say the least during his freshman year campaign. Snyder logged 45 total tackles, 3 for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 7 games to start off his career.
Coming in at our top spot is Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA out of Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Speca is a physical presence at middle linebacker for PCC. Towering at 6’3″ and bringing 220 pounds behind his pads, Speca wants to dominate his opponents with his impressive athleticism. Speca displays the read-and-react ability of a seasoned upper-classman. Plenty of prospects can make reads on quickly and efficiently but the special players are the ones who are athletic enough to move their feet and navigate through traffic to the ball carrier. That’s what Speca brings to the table. He’s the best tackler on this list and even shows some flashes of pass-coverage versatility, displaying he understands when and where to sit in zones and make passing lanes tight for opposing quarterbacks. This kid gets after ball carriers and will be a pleasure to watch moving forward. We hope to see him continue to develop.
As far as our watchlist goes. We have St. Joe’s Prep’s Joseph Canola, Penn Hills’ Steven Jenkins Jr., Bishop Canevin’s Marquis Carter, Imhotep’s Jahsear Whittington, and Central Martinsburg’s Hunter Smith all lined up to dissect and see where they belong on this list. All five prospects are super-talented. We hope to see all four be added to our rankings this coming summer.