2023 Stock-Rising Linebackers
2023 Rankings in the State have dropped and today we will look at the players at the linebacker position who found new spots in the rankings! Below we have a few highlighted players who had outstanding junior seasons and because…
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Continue Reading2023 Rankings in the State have dropped and today we will look at the players at the linebacker position who found new spots in the rankings! Below we have a few highlighted players who had outstanding junior seasons and because of that, have found themselves with higher spots!
Make sure to view the complete Rankings HERE!
Justin Cryer Justin Cryer 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Royal | 2023 State TX – Royal
Cryer tallied 103 tackles, 19 TFLs, and 5 sacks for his junior season and showed to be very physical, especially at the point of attack. He took on blocks and ran through them as well. Cryer showed versatility as well, playing as an edge rusher as well as an inside backer. He sees and attacks with little false steps and will be a name to remember for his senior season. He has the ability to be a top linebacker in the state.
Derion Gullette Derion Gullette 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Marlin | 2023 State TX – Marlin
Gullete may need to be considered an athlete with the plays he made on offensive. On the defensive side, Gullete showed to be a great athlete, making plays in open space comfortably. He is a backer who reads and reacts, and has the speed and power to catch a play from tehbackside and make a big hit. Gullete showed very good awareness in coverage as well, reading quarterbacks eyes and locating the closest target. For his junior season, Gullete racked up an impressive 125 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 INTs, and on the offensive side, Gullete hauled in 64 receptions for 1,458 yards and 14 touchdowns. A true two way star in the making.
Braylan Shelby Braylan Shelby 6'4" | 230 lbs | LB Friendswood | 2023 State TX – Friendswood
Shelby’s size and length is what stands out first on film. He has great range, reach, and plays in space comfortably. Shelby covers much ground with his strides, especially in pass coverage, and is an incredible challenge for receivers to block in space. Shelby’s ability to shed blocks led to many of his big plays and he will be a top talent in the state and possibly nationally as he continues to develop.
S’maje Burrell S’maje Burrell 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB North Crowley | 2023 State TX – North Crowley
Burrell is an instinctual line backer who shoots through gaps like a mad man. He is a heat seeking missilie on the run and ball carriers are in danger when he is on the hunt. He showed very good lateral speed as well as change of direction. Burrell takes on blocks and sheds quickly in order to make plays. Excellent effort in his play which led to 104 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 5 sacks on the season. Burrell is a hard nosed player who will definitely see his name rise even more going into his senior season.
Corey Kelly Corey Kelly 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Clear Falls | 2023 State TX – Clear Falls
Kelly is an athlete at the outside linebacker position who can honestly be a safety with his agility. He is a long player with great range in space and has great burst off the ball. Kelly plays the pass just as well as he plays the run, finishing his junior season with a very impressive 11 pass break ups. Off the edge he is quick and with his long arms can disrupt a quarterbacks vision in pursuit of a sack. Kelly has the ability to be a game changer on defense and his growth heading into senior year will be key. He is a player to keep an eye out for.
Beau Barton Beau Barton 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Van | 2023 State TX – Van
Barton was a TFL machine. He lived to shoot the A gaps and bring ball carriers down. Barton showed great lateral and downhill speed. He did a great job of avoiding blocks and locating the ball. He never gave full body to a blocker and showed the quickness and bend to get around. Barton had an incredible 161 tackles, 41 TFLs, and 10 sacks for his junior year.