2023 Linebackers Breakdowns (1-9)

The players rankings were recently updated by the staff.  There were 17 linebackers in the group for updates.  This is a two-part series where I am going to review the entire group.  Series 1 will cover the top 9 linebackers for review. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44977" first="Ben" last="Cutter"], 6’1" 215, East Lincoln HS, (No. 1 LB, No. 16 Overall)</strong>.  Ben displays good hip movement when moving laterally to make stops.  He covers ground quickly to close in on the ball carrier.  Ben displays good technique and makes physical tackles with good follow-through.  He is the dominant player on the defensive unit and makes a high number of tackles.  Ben finished the season with 158 total tackles, 386 career tackles, for an average of 13.2 tackles per game. [player_tooltip player_id="44977" first="Ben" last="Cutter"] is a solid D1 prospect whose participation in Summer Prospect Camps will speed up the recruiting process for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50907" first="AJ" last="Richardson"], 6’1" 235, Kings Mountain HS, (No. 2 LB, No. 33 Overall)</strong>.  AJ is explosive out of his stance, often unblocked as he moves into the backfield to disrupt the play.  He displays good lateral movement and ability to change direction to make stops.  AJ runs well in the open field, displaying good technique on physical tackles.  He finished the season with 66 total tackles and 17 tackles for losses.  [player_tooltip player_id="50907" first="AJ" last="Richardson"] is a solid D1 prospect whose participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45008" first="Stephan" last="Zayachkowsky"], 5’10" 190, Porter Ridge HS, (No. 3 LB, No. 39 Overall)</strong>.  Stephan moves well laterally to make stops.  He displays good technique on tackles made in the open field.  Stephan displays good reaction to the play and closes quickly on the ball carrier.  He finished the season with 101 total tackles, 15 tackles for losses, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal.  Stephan plays on both sides of the ball and is an offensive threat at running back.  [player_tooltip player_id="45008" first="Stephan" last="Zayachkowsky"]’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44991" first="Dayreon" last="Jennings"], 6’1" 230, Lee co. HS, (No. 4 LB, No. 42 Overall)</strong>.  Dayreon runs well in the open field, closing quickly on the ball carrier for the stop.  He displays good technique on tackles in the open field.  Dayreon moves well laterally and changes direction quickly to make stops.  He finished the season with 74 total tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.  [player_tooltip player_id="44991" first="Dayreon" last="Jennings"]’ participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144695" first="RJ" last="Brown"], 6’0" 215, East Forsyth HS, (No. 5 LB, No. 43 Overall)</strong>.  RJ is explosive out of stance, moving into the backfield to make the stop, often unblocked.  He displays fluid hip movement to quickly go in any direction to close in on the ball carrier.  RJ displays solid technique on tackles made in the open field.  He finished the season with 147 total tackles and 21 tackles for losses.  [player_tooltip player_id="144695" first="RJ" last="Brown"]’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45004" first="Garvey" last="Sterling"], 6’0" 210, Hough HS, (No. 6 LB, No. 44 Overall)</strong>.  Garvey displays patience to let the play develop.  He reacts quickly to close in on the ball carrier for the stop.  Garvey displays good technique on solo tackles in the open field.  He displays good speed and runs well in the open field to cover ground.  Garvey finished the season with 31 total tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.  He will continue to improve his skill set during off-season training.  [player_tooltip player_id="45004" first="Garvey" last="Sterling"]’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44992" first="Raymond" last="McCray"], 6’3" 230, Seventy-First HS, (No. 7 LB, No. 46 Overall)</strong>.  Raymond displays patience to let the play develop.  He reacts quickly to close in on the ball carrier for the stop.  Raymond delivers physical tackles and displays good technique on solo tackles.  He finished the season with 97 total tackles and 18 tackles for losses.  [player_tooltip player_id="44992" first="Raymond" last="McCray"]’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144715" first="Amare" last="Johnson"], 5’11" 220, Salisbury HS, (No. 8 LB, No. 52 Overall)</strong>.  Amare displays good lateral movement and technique on tackles.  He moves well laterally to go in any direction to make the stop.  Amare will continue to improve his skill set during the off-season.  [player_tooltip player_id="144715" first="Amare" last="Johnson"]’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest in him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118607" first="Ta’Darrin" last="Griffin"], 6’2" 175, Shelby HS, (No. 9 LB, No. 56 Overall)</strong>.  Ta’Darrin displays good lateral movement to go in any direction to make stops.  He displays good technique on tackles in the open field.  He finished the season with 60 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks, and 2 TDs.  Ta’Darrin will continue to improve his skill set during off-season training.  [player_tooltip player_id="118607" first="Ta’Darrin" last="Griffin"]’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him.