Indiana All-State Top 50 Team: Linebackers- Part 1

Linebackers are regarded as the leaders and tone-setters of the defense. So often the heart-and-soul of the defense, a top-tier linebacker corps is crucial for a winning team. Eight linebackers earned spots on the All-State Top 50 Team. Today, we will look at four of those transcendent linebackers. These prospects have the perfect blend of playmaking and game-wrecking ability. [player_tooltip player_id="39070" first="Drayk" last="Bowen"], 6’2, 215 pounds, Andrean, Junior [player_tooltip player_id="39070" first="Drayk" last="Bowen"] played a starring role at both linebacker and running back for Andrean this season. Bowen is a tough player who is that all-around contributor that can always find a way to help the team. At running back, Bowen displays good vision and a refusal to go down. At linebacker, Bowen has great speed. A hard-hitting prospect, Bowen can get after the quarterback in a hurry. Bowen has the ability to drop into coverage and handle his assignment well. He is a great tackler and is always around the football. Bowen also has a big impact on special teams, especially when it comes to blocking kicks. On the season, Bowen totaled 105 tackles, with 60 solo stops. He came up with 12 tackles-for-loss and three sacks. Bowen is a ball-hawk, recording three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one pass defense. Offensively, Bowen ran for just under 1,000 yards with 18 touchdowns. In two games this season Bowen eclipsed 100 yards rushing. Bowen was also a receiving threat, hauling-in 17 receptions for 117 yards with a pair of touchdown receptions. On special teams, Bowen punted 11 times for a net total of 300 yards. Bowen returned three kickoffs for 50 yards. His ability to block kicks was huge for shifting the m0mentum in the game. He blocked one punt and two field goals this season. [player_tooltip player_id="226338" first="Will" last="Heldt"], 6’5, 225 pounds, Carmel, Junior A dominant outside linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id="226338" first="Will" last="Heldt"] was a difference-maker for the Carmel Greyhounds all season. Heldt gets a consistent pass rush, and he plays the run well. He is great at beating the left tackle and applying pressure from the blind side of a right-handed quarterback. In the running-game, he is disciplined and sticks to his assignment. On runs to the other side, he does a great job of getting down the line and getting to the football. Once there, Heldt showcases his great tackling ability, and he does not let the ball-carrier get away. Heldt had 108 total tackles with 11 tackles-for-loss this season. He posted four sacks with one interception and two passes defensed. On top of that, Heldt forced and recovered two fumbles. [player_tooltip player_id="98006" first="Zaven" last="Koltookian"], 6’5, 220 pounds, Concord, Senior One of the state’s premiere outside linebackers, [player_tooltip player_id="98006" first="Zaven" last="Koltookian"] turned in a marvelous final season at Concord. With his quickness of the edge, the tackles that are attempting to block him find it difficult to keep him away from their quarterback. Koltookian is a tough player who gives relentless effort on every play. He gives great pursuit all over the field. Koltookian was also a productive tight end for Concord. He corralled eight receptions for 59 yards with one touchdown reception. Koltookian accumulated 90 tackles this season. As impressive as that stat is, the way he got into the backfield and disrupted the entire offense was incredible. He had 26.5 tackles-for-loss with an astounding 14.5 sacks. He added four quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Keagan LaBelle, 5’8, 170 pounds, Mount Vernon, Senior Keagan LaBelle was an elite player all year for the Mount Vernon Marauders. Defensively, he was always around the football. LaBelle racked up 107 total tackles. He sacked the quarterback nine times and he forced one fumble. Offensively, he created spark plays all year. LaBelle carried the ball on 154 occasions for 1,594 yards. He averaged an incredible 10.4 yards per carry with a per game average of over 106 rushing yards. LaBelle ran for over 100 yards in seven games this year while scoring 26 rushing touchdowns. He also caught five passes for just under 200 yards with three touchdown catches. On special teams, LaBelle made an impact when returning kickoffs. He gained 272 kickoff return yards with an average of 38.9 yards per kickoff return and two kickoff return touchdowns.