2023 Stock Risers: Linebackers

Photo: Steve Jordan Photography

Ed Brooks

May 24, 2021 @ 06:20 PM

We are wrapping up the Stock Risers series for the 2023 class. There are seventeen players that are listed in the linebacker rankings. I am going to review the top five linebackers. [player_tooltip player_id="44977" first="Ben" last="Cutter"], 6’1", 200, East Lincoln HS (No. 1 LB, No. 9 Overall). Ben covers a lot of ground quickly to disrupt the play and makes a high number of tackles. He accelerates quickly into the backfield to stop the ball carrier. [player_tooltip player_id="44977" first="Ben" last="Cutter"]’s high level of play continued from his freshman season. We had him ranked as the top linebacker for the 2023 class during the preseason and he remained in the top spot. [player_tooltip player_id="142913" first="Grant" last="Tucker"], 6’3", 195, Charlotte Christian HS (No. 2 LB, No. 10 Overall). Grant reads the play and reacts quickly to disrupt the play. He displays good lateral movement and quickness while covering receivers on pass routes. Grant displays good technique when making solo tackles in the open field. [player_tooltip player_id="50907" first="AJ" last="Richardson"], 6’0", 230, Kings Mountain HS (No. 3 LB, No. 19 Overall). He reads plays and waits for the play to develop before closing in on the ball carrier. AJ is a physical player who covers a lot of ground quickly. He displays good strength while making punishing tackles. [player_tooltip player_id="45008" first="Stephan" last="Zayachkowsky"], 5’10", 185, Porter Ridge HS (No. 4 LB, No. 26 Overall). Stephan displays speed and quickness to cover receivers on short passing routes. He will continue to get better as he gains weight and gets stronger. Stephan has good technique and lateral movement covering receivers. [player_tooltip player_id="44991" first="Dayreon" last="Jennings"], 6’0", 220, Lee County HS (No. 5 LB, No. 29 Overall). He waits on the play to develop before reacting. Dayreon displays good lateral movement and balance shielding off blockers to disrupt the play. He plays at a high energy level throughout the game.