Updated '22 Rankings Newcomers: Linebackers

Our updated 2022 rankings have dropped, here are the new additions to the linebacker position! We will feature the top ten newcomers at each position throughout the week.

McCullough is a prospect I had the pleasure of covering at multiple events in and around Pennsylvania this spring. We at Prep Redzone have been wanting to feature him in multiple pieces as a standout performer at 7v7 camps, yet couldn’t find his information. We’ve got it now and like we promised, McCullough is ranked. Exceptional size and athleticism playing OLB. 7v7 events allowed him to showcase his ability to read and react in zone coverage, an area in which he excelled. Personally, I believe McCullough should be played in space to show off his athleticism, yet turning on the tape showed Olney Charter preferred McCullough as a pass rusher. Reps were shown with his hands on and off the field. Two traits stand out when watching this kid, size, and versatility.

Zaide Williams Zaide Williams 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Martin Luther King | 2022 State PA | 5’11, 200lbs | MLK

We’d like to welcome another PPL linebacker to our updated ’22 rankings. Zaide Williams Zaide Williams 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Martin Luther King | 2022 State PA out of MLK lands on our rankings after a solid spring campaign. I love this prospect’s ability to seek out the football through traffic, as well as his compact build that is fitting for his run-stopping playstyle. His tape shows good upper body strength that allows him to absorb blocks and shed whether engaged on the run, or in the trenches. I’m excited to see how he develops, there’s a hidden gem on this Cougar defense.

Steven Roland-Washington Jr. | 5’11, 225lbs | William Penn

Roland-Washington Jr. is a player who has made his rounds in multiple camps all around Pennsylvania as well as at multiple DII prospect camps. He has certainly put in the work, trying to master his craft and that alone got him under our radar. RWJ is a unique player. He’s a bit of a tweener, whose build at first glance suggests he’s an undersized linebacker. Yet Penn loves to give him reps at defensive tackle where he can make the most of his quick feet and hands. It works too! He’s highly productive at both positions. Time will tell exactly where he is best suited on the football field. Nonetheless, we are happy to have him added to our rankings!

Malachi Missouri Malachi Missouri 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Central Catholic | 2022 State PA is the latest PCC prospect to land on our rankings. Missouri was a relatively unknown prospect but was brought to my attention by a coach at a 7v7 event. Absolutely love this kid’s tape. He’s a linebacker/box safety who excels in open space, reading and reacting to the flow of the offense well. Like how well he tackles in space, as well as his overall effort and pursuit play in and play out. Glad this kid was brought to my attention, it earned him a spot on our rankings, deservedly so. Watch for occasional reps on offense as well.

We spoke highly of Kavan Markwood Kavan Markwood 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB South Allegheny | 2022 State PA ’s play at 7v7 events throughout the spring. He’s ranked after watching his junior tape, which actually showcases an even better, more polished prospect. We struggled where to rank him, even if at all solely based on his coverage. His tape showed he deserved a spot. He flies around the field and provides South Allegheny with hard-earned reps at OLB as well as running back. It shows the two positions go hand in hand, as Markwood shows the ability to pick a whole, burst through gaps, and disrupt running lanes consistently. Good to see him invited to a few small program camps as a way to learn what would be expected of him at the next level.

Months ago, we broke down a little bit of Fike’s play with pads on. We added him to our Watchlist. This spring, we got a chance to see him make plays in the 7v7 game which can only help his stock at this point. His efforts earned him a spot on our rankings, one in which I can see improving this time next year.

I was left impressed by Wojtaszek’s overall strength and what said strength brings to the table for Montour. The film lacked a ton of production but again, his overall strength stood out. Wojtaszek displays the ability to contribute as an in-line blocker from his tight end position, as well as contribute from his inside linebacker spot. One thing this kid does is play hard. Recruitment has been slow for Hunter but that shouldn’t be on his mind. Putting out film showcasing that strength and position versatility is what college coaches want to see. Looking forward to seeing his development.

We’d like to welcome the All-County Spring Grove linebacker to our rankings. I believe Osmun may actually deserve a higher spot but for now, will settle as a top 325 player in his class. I firmly believe a great summer and a great senior year could catapult his stock into the top 200. He flashes good open-field tackling ability and a ton of energy. The ins and outs of each position (outside linebacker & safety) need to be worked on in order to see the said boost.

Here’s a player who didn’t end up on any of our PPL Spring season coverage. That may have been an oversight on my part. This is quite literally a big prospect to miss, standing at 6’3 and just under 220 pounds. Diawara is a raw prospect who seems to be in the backfield play-in and play-out. Diawara may be new to the game of football, but it’s players like this that suddenly flourish around good coaching. His size and speed at the edge/OLB position are intriguing enough. Can’t wait to see what another season holds for this up-and-coming prospect.

Last but not least for our newly ranked linebackers is Kiantae Robinson Kiantae Robinson 5'9" | 170 lbs | LB Monessen | 2022 State PA . Flashes of a good linebacking prospect are on display, we just want to see Robinson put it all together consistently. To be a great linebacker, natural instincts need to be there. No doubt Robinson has a place on the football field, but to see his stock rise, he may need to find out what position suits him the best.