Stock Risers: 2023 LB/DBs To Know In Middle Georgia
As we all know by now, if you can’t tackle and cover, you can’t make it playing linebacker at the D1 level. Offenses are faster and we’re seeing more pass-heavy offenses all across college football. So if you’re a program…
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Continue ReadingAs we all know by now, if you can’t tackle and cover, you can’t make it playing linebacker at the D1 level. Offenses are faster and we’re seeing more pass-heavy offenses all across college football. So if you’re a program looking for athletic linebackers, the place to go is middle Georgia.
The area has produced former Georgia Bulldog All-American and Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith and many more who have gone on play in the NFL. The area from Atlanta to Cordele always produces high-quality linebacker talent, and there’s more on the way over the next few years.
Here are a few Middle Georgia linebackers to know for the 2021 season…
Derrick Maxey III – Hapeville Charter
There aren’t many programs in Atlanta who produce talent like Hapeville Charter does. One of the toughest, hard-nosed programs in the entire state, it’s a place where they breed toughness and elite defenders each year. They have a new star in the making in safety, Derrick Maxey III. The hard-hitting defender in the 2023 class earned his first offer this week, and it was from the in-state Georgia Bulldogs. The in-state power has signed two defensive backs from Hapeville Charter in the last half-decade, and now they’ve focused on the newest Hornet. Maxey III is a long, rangy defensive back with solid ball skills. He closes well with the ball in the air and reacts quickly for someone his age. He’s thought of highly by many in the area and is coached by one of the best staffs in the entire state. He now holds an offer from the Bulldogs, and he should see many more coming his way.
Blessed and Honored to receive my very first D1 offer from Georgia University! @grindatlanta @DellMcGee @fbscout_florida @WgordonCoach pic.twitter.com/KaP5WBYpKg
— Derrick Maxey III (@derrickmaxeyiii) April 20, 2021
Brandon Alford – Mary Persons
One of the most productive defenders between Atlanta and Macon, the Mary Persons outside linebacker is coming off an excellent sophomore season where he made 44 tackles and five sacks. The 6-foot-1 190-pounder was a sure tackler last season, but he was also great in coverage for someone his size. He’s a quick defender and showed he can make tackles in the open field. He showed impressive cover skills, he’s a kid that plays with a motor, he’s aggressive, and has a high football IQ. He was one of the team’s top players last year as a sophomore and is expected to have another big impact this fall. Alford is working on his blitzing off the edge and controlling his blocks in order to get better.
Camerin Marshall – Perry
One of the state’s best players without an offer, this middle Georgia standout from Parry was a tackling machine last season from his safety position, racking up 145 total tackles, leading the 4A classification. He also did it as a sophomore. He has an outstanding frame at 6-foot-2 180-pounds, and he’s more than just a sure tackler. He makes a lot of plays with the ball in the air and does a great job of reading the quarterbacks eyes. He reacts quickly and can cover a lot of ground with his long arms and overall frame. He shows good ball skills and has an overall knack for making plays. He was easily one of the top defenders in the region and his play last season as a sophomore should warrant some serious interest. He has the size, physicality, and ball skills to play at the next level and could see a lot of schools showing interest as he heads towards his junior season. IF he can play as well as a junior as he did as a sophomore, Marshall’s offer list could explode down the road.