Taking a look at Pennsylvania’s top 2023 linebackers

The linebacker position may be the deepest position group of the 2023 recruiting cycle in the Keystone state with the state’s top four linebackers all residing in the top-14 of our overall rankings. Each of our top five linebackers should play college football at the FBS level with four of them currently projected to be playing at the Power Five level with great chances to be multi-year starters with major impacts. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27733" first="Ta’Mere" last="Robinson"] (Brashear)</strong> Our top overall linebacker, Robinson is also our No.2 prospect in the state with an argument to be the state’s top-ranked player. He’s a true game-changer at linebacker but can line up all around the defense, showing versatility as an EDGE rusher but also playing time in the secondary when needed. Robinson is an A+ athlete who has great size and length that allows him to wrap up opposing ball carriers with ease even if somewhat out of position, though thanks to his high football IQ and aforementioned athleticism, Robinson is rarely out of position. He has everything you look for in a Power Five starting linebacker and really could fit the mold of a Micah Parsons, a great athlete at linebacker who can stay at home and be solid in pass coverage and the run defense but also be an elite pass rusher at the next level as well. <strong>Projection: </strong>Power Five <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13537590/6147a322d21b5e081497ad9c">Season Highlights!</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91648" first="Phil" last="Picciotti"] (Pennridge)</strong> Picciotti feels like your classic Pennsylvania linebacker (i.e. Sean Lee). Like Robinson, he’s a well-built linebacker with great size already and high football IQ. He shows top-notch athleticism (also plays running back for Pennridge) and is quick to the ball with fluid hips and shows the agility to change direction quickly when needed. While he can rush the passer, he seems destined at the next level to be a stay-at-home linebacker who excels against the run and is solid in the across-the-middle passing attack. As long as he continues to develop at his current pace, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him post 100+ tackle seasons at the next level. <strong>Projection: </strong>Power Five <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8261425/618b21c02aa6490590c65fc4">Junior Szn Highlights 2021</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27736" first="Josiah" last="Trotter"] (St. Joes Prep)</strong> The son of NFL great Jeremiah Trotter and the brother of Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Josiah is the next in line of great linebackers in the family. A great athlete, Trotter shows the ability to be strong in all facets of the game as a linebacker from run defense, to rushing the quarterback, and even covering receivers in the open field. He’s able to keep up with your average speed wide receivers and most tight ends, he’ll rarely get beat in those situations. In the run game, he does a great job reading and reacting, finding the quickest way to the ball carrier, and then using his burst to get there and wrap them up. In the pass rush, he shows the ability to kick it into another gear when closing in on a quarterback to get the sack and has the agility to change direction with your more elusive ballcarriers. There are a few things he’ll need to clean up at the next level but the foundation is there for him to be an elite linebacker at the college level. <strong>Projection: </strong>Power Five <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12890581/61b65a95d45ed6056c87d4e2">Junior Season</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27734" first="Semaj" last="Bridgeman"] (Archbishop Wood)</strong> When watching Bridgeman, the first words that come to mind are athletic and explosive. His initial burst is amongst the best in the 2023 recruiting cycle among defensive linemen and linebackers. Combine that with a good first step and it’s easy to see why he’s able to create so much havoc in opposing backfields. Bridgeman also shows the combination of being able to read and react quickly but also by taking smart routes to the ball. It sounds easy but very few high school linebackers show the ability to do both at a high level, Bridgeman is one of those few. He also shows the ability to excel in the pass rush. Like those above him, we believe Bridgeman is a Power Five level linebacker who could potentially be a starter down the road. <strong>Projection: </strong>Power Five <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13138461/61c93cca041e4b0588b57fd9">Couple plays from the szn</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="146529" first="Lacota" last="Dippre"] (Lakeland)</strong> While currently ranked as a linebacker, Dippre in the next ranking updates will be moved to defensive end as that’s where he’ll most likely play at the next level. Already at 6-foot-3 and 230-pounds, Dippre already is growing into great size for a collegiate defensive end. On the field, he shows some great athleticism, also playing tight end for Lakeland, he shows quality speed with a solid burst. He won’t win any track meets per se but he is sneaky fast. On defense, he has a good first step that allows him to burst into opposing backfields and shows a lot of physicality, he’s someone who loves to lay down some big hits and let the opposition know of his presence. He currently grades out in our opinion to a Group of Five prospect. <strong>Projection: </strong>Group of Five <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11280295/6196fa2c90f0590b185c6c8e">Junior Season</a>