Missouri 2022 Rankings Update: Linebackers
We unveiled our updated Class of 2022 rankings earlier this week, which includes 300 ranked prospects and more than 650 total prospects including the Watch List. Click here to view the updated 2022 Rankings! There are 42 linebackers in the…
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Continue ReadingWe unveiled our updated Class of 2022 rankings earlier this week, which includes 300 ranked prospects and more than 650 total prospects including the Watch List.
Click here to view the updated 2022 Rankings!
There are 42 linebackers in the top 300 and 95 linebackers overall for the Class of 2022 in Missouri in the Prep Redzone database.
Today we are taking a closer look at the top five linebackers. (Click on the player names to check out their prospect pages on PRZ, including links to their HUDL highlights.)
1. DJ Wesolak DJ Wesolak 6'5" | 225 lbs | LB Boonville | 2022 State MO , Boonville (Missouri)
The No. 2 overall prospect in Missouri in the Class of 2022, Wesolak had previously been listed as a defensive lineman (as a defensive end) by Prep Redzone but was used more as a linebacker this season and was being recruited as such.
He’s essentially an explosive quick-twitch edge rusher – as a defensive end with his hand down or a stand-up outside linebacker – who also brings strength and power and a physical presence to the position.
Wesolak attracted scholarship offers from coast to coast before committing to and signing with Missouri during the early signing period in December.
2. Carson Willich Carson Willich 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Blue Springs | 2022 State MO , Blue Springs (Iowa State)
Willich was an all-state selection as a junior but missed his senior season after suffering a torn ACL over the summer.
He committed to Iowa State back in April after receiving offers from Kansas State, Kansas, Miami-Ohio, Liberty, Minnesota, Army, Washington State, Louisville, Air Force, Vanderbilt and Northwestern.
The Cyclones were the first school to offer Willich, during his junior season, and showed their commitment to him despite his season-ending knee injury.
3. Cooper Roy Cooper Roy 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Glendale | 2022 State MO , Glendale
Roy is a 6-3, 220-pounder who has been a nightmare for the quarterbacks of southwest Missouri for the past few seasons as an outside linebacker and defensive end.
He recorded 59 sacks over the past three seasons, including 26 as a junior and 25 as a senior.
Like Wesolak, Roy could also have been listed as a defensive end. We are projecting him as an edge-rushing outside linebacker.
Roy has yet to make a college decision but at last check was still considering Army, Air Force and Missouri State.
4. Keyshaun Elliott Keyshaun Elliott 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Richmond | 2022 State MO , Richmond (New Mexico State)
Previously ranked by Prep Redzone as an athlete, because of his potential as a quarterback, linebacker or safety at the next level, we’ve moved Elliott to linebacker because that’s where he is expected to play after committing to New Mexico State in December.
Elliott is a physical specimen at 6-3 and 220 pounds and he plays like it – on both sides of the ball. That physicality suits the linebacker position, obviously, as does Elliott’s size and skill set.
Defensively, Elliott recorded 88 total tackles, including eight for losses, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and one (defensive) touchdown during his senior season.
Elliott was a first-team all-conference selection as a quarterback, linebacker and punter and an all-state honoree as a linebacker and punter. If that’s not enough versatility, he recently reached the 1,000-point milestone as a basketball player as well.
5. Cody Simoncic Cody Simoncic 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Smithville | 2022 State MO , Smithville
A 6-2, 200-pounder, Simoncic led Smithville to the Missouri Class 4 championship this fall and won the Bobby Bell Award, which is given to the top lineman/linebacker in Class 1-4 in the Kansas City area in Kansas or Missouri.
Simoncic racked up 92 tackles, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries — leading Smithville in each category — during a senior season neither he nor the school community will ever forget.
Simoncic has yet to make a decision on his college destination but has received offers from Southeast Missouri State, Northwest Missouri State, Pittsburg State, Central Missouri. Washburn, Missouri Western, Fort Hays State and South Dakota State. He projects as an outside linebacker or free safety at the next level.
Next five:
Kendall Huston Kendall Huston 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB CBC | 2022 State MO , CBC
Eric Ruess Eric Ruess 6'4" | 220 lbs | LB Festus | 2022 State MO , Festus (Murray State)
Chris Skiljan Chris Skiljan 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB De Smet | 2022 State MO , De Smet
Nate Ruble Nate Ruble 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB St. Pius X (Festus) | 2022 State MO , St. Pius X (Festus) (Northern Illinois)
Latrevion Thompson Latrevion Thompson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Kennett | 2022 State MO , Kennett (Southeast Missouri State)
Prep Redzone Missouri Rankings Updates Positional Breakdowns
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Offensive Linemen | Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Defensive Backs | Athletes