2023 Rankings: 5 Elite LBs from the WCAC

The WCAC is one of the most competitive football conferences in the nation, and the reason for that is elite play on both sides of the ball. This article focuses on the defensive side of the ball, and, more specifically, the linebacker position. Let’s now take a closer look at some of the elite LB prospects from the DMV’s apex conference. &nbsp; <strong>2023 5’11 210 LB – Luke Hackett – DeMatha </strong> Luke Hackett earned All-WCAC 2^nd Team Linebacker honors this season. He is a leader for the DeMatha Stags on defense, and one of his best characteristics is his communication. Hackett constantly keeps his teammates in the loop, and he is an extremely vocal player. When you combine that with his tenacity, you’re left with an overwhelming and relentless linebacker that is fully present on every play. Luke Hackett makes the DeMatha defense that much more difficult to deal with in 2022, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Hackett is a D1 level linebacker. Scouts must keep an eye on him this upcoming season because he is primed for a big season at the linebacker position. <a href="https://t.co/BrAWXqWIzW"><strong>https://t.co/BrAWXqWIzW</strong></a> <strong> </strong> <strong>2023 6’0 205 LB – Markeith Hogan – Gonzaga </strong> With [player_tooltip player_id="180879" first="Kadari" last="Machen"] set to graduate this Spring, Markeith Hogan will take on much more responsibility at the linebacker position next season. Hogan showcased his immense talent effectively this season, and he certainly had a breakout year at linebacker for the Purple Eagles. Hogan possesses incredible speed and elusiveness, for his size, which makes him an extremely dangerous threat to any backfield ball carrier. Gonzaga’s defense is set to have a bounce back year defensively in 2022, and I think it’s safe to say that Markeith Hogan will be an integral part of that turnaround. Hogan is an elite level linebacker who most definitely has power five conference potential. Scouts nationwide must watch out for him next season. <a href="https://t.co/YJEArIfqUE"><strong>https://t.co/YJEArIfqUE</strong></a> <strong> </strong> <strong>2023 5’9 215 LB – Kamal Stoddart – Bishop McNamara </strong> Kamal Stoddart earned 2^nd Team All-WCAC honors at the linebacker position this season, and he did so with more than fifty tackles and twenty solo tackles. Stoddart and the Mustangs compete in one of the top conferences in the entire nation, therefore it’s safe to say that Stoddart’s skills are tested against the best of the best every single game. There was a noticeable increase in McNamara’s overall level of play and competitiveness this season, and Kamal Stoddart’s high level of play certainly had a lot to do with that. Stoddart is a top five linebacker in the conference for his class, and scouts should take his recruitment very seriously. He absolutely has D1 potential. <a href="https://t.co/If8tCCmOjI"><strong>https://t.co/If8tCCmOjI</strong></a> &nbsp; <strong>2023 6’0 210 LB – Cooper Smith – St. Mary’s Ryken </strong> If you’re looking for a linebacker who thrives in pass defense situations then look no further than Cooper Smith. He had a pick six and a handful of interceptions this season, and he possesses an incredible knack for the football combined with soft hands. It’s important to mention that Smith is a two-way player, and he lines up as a slot receiver on offense. His snaps at receiver have absolutely increased his defensive efficiency, and 2022 will undoubtedly be another phenomenal overall year for Cooper Smith. He has D1 potential and scouts should be looking at him with total seriousness. <a href="https://t.co/1ty7hDwETP"><strong>https://t.co/1ty7hDwETP</strong></a> <strong> </strong> <strong>2023 5’11 210 LB – Noreon Moody – Archbishop Carroll </strong> Noreon Moody had a breakout season on the defensive line and at linebacker. He took the majority of his snaps on the defensive line, however, with linebacker spots set to open on Carroll’s roster in 2022, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him starting at linebacker next season. Moody possesses incredible anticipation, and he recorded more sacks this season than any other linebacker on this list. He also has great speed which allows him to finish tackles on a more consistent basis than the majority of defensive players at this level. Noreon Moody absolutely has D1 potential, and he’s without question one of the top defensive players in the WCAC’s class of 2023. <a href="https://t.co/Br8tOFrPth"><strong>https://t.co/Br8tOFrPth</strong></a> <strong> </strong>