Southeastern Conference’s Top Returning Linebackers For 2021

A lot of times high school football linebackers are some of the best athletes on the football field. They are also some of the toughest dudes on the football team. These are a few linebackers from the Southeastern Conference to keep an eye on in 2021. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159900" first="Carson" last="Gray"] </strong>(2022) | 6-0 | Chelsea | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ELRzT">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="159900" first="Carson" last="Gray"] is a do it all linebacker. He can blitz the quarterback, get off blocks and stop the run, and cover slot receivers. Gray has good instincts and can fly in the backfield, disrupting plays before they can even develop. Gray is also great at forcing fumbles and creating takeaways for his team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164625" first="Melik" last="Williams"] </strong>(2022) | 6-2 | Ypsilanti Lincoln | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11112492/5fa0a4c9c11a2c023c68bc08">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="164625" first="Melik" last="Williams"] has great size, speed, and acceleration. Williams has great hands and almost always comes down with the interception when teams throw at him. [player_tooltip player_id="164625" first="Melik" last="Williams"] is good at getting off of blocks and tackling ball carriers before they get a head of steam. Williams also is great on special teams. He uses his speed and acceleration to block field goals and punts. <strong>Connor Krueger </strong>(2022) | 5-11 | Adrian | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FZmX4">Hudl</a> Connor Krueger is a tackling machine who always plays to the whistle is blown. Krueger has the speed to run sideline to sideline. This type of effort is what saves his team from giving up extra yardage. Krueger is a physical tackler who is nearly impossible to escape from when he gets his arms around ball carriers. <strong>Carson Deseranno </strong>(2022) | 6-0 | Monroe | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ecgaz">Hudl</a> Deseranno is a phenomenal tackler. He is great at taking the proper angles towards ball carriers. Not only does he take great angles, but Deseranno can also deliver a huge initial hit to ball carriers. These are the type of hits that make opposing players think twice about coming in Deseranno’s direction. <strong>Vinny Patierno </strong>(2022) | 5-11 | Pickney | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11148346/5fa894a49a917b0abc672363">Hudl</a> Patierno has the size and strength to take on blocks from guards and tackles. This was very impressive to see. Many linebackers do not have the strength and physicality to do this. Patierno has a couple of plays on his highlights where he drives opposing offensive lineman on their back. Patierno stuffs the run so well. Great run defense is so key for a defensives success and Patierno plays a big part in that for his team. Connor Krueger's height was found on <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/connor-krueger/-3XQv9F1EemAzfp8ouYFiw/default.htm">MaxPreps</a>.