The Five: #TN2023 Tackling Machines

The great state of Tennessee is full of talented linebackers that bring a lot of tools to the football field from making tackles, producing sacks or leading the defense in a variety of ways. Here we look at five linebackers who not only fit those traits but are also tackling machines that you see show up on film on a consistent basis from anywhere on the field!   1. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="150372" first="Bryan" last="Longwell"] (6’0 220) - Lipscomb Academy <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-303387" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/blongwell-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Headed into the 2022 Fall football season, Longwell is one of the best overall linebackers for this in-state class based on college upside but he is also one of the fastest backers as well that gets to the ball quicker than others. Tremendous instincts along with a quick 1st step, Longwell is a force on the defensive side of the ball that plays sideline to sideline and when he makes contact, you certainly feel his physicality. Holding multiple D1 offers already, Longwell is a talented guy that will continue to see increased college interest over the coming months, especially when he hits the camp scene this summer and performs in front of collegiate coaches. This is the kind of linebacker with upside that you can see on the next level making double digit tackles on a consistent basis and becoming one of his team’s best overall players. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15060483/613025eca0188c0618de52ce">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15060483/613025eca0188c0618de52ce</a>   2. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="153513" first="Garrett" last="Hawkins"] (6’2 205) - Sevier Co. - Hawkins is headed into his senior year as the county’s all time leader in tackles and he still has one more year of high school eligibility remaining. Before the start of the Fall season, Hawkins will come into Game 1 with 365 career tackles while also coming off a highly productive junior year that saw him produce 142 total tackles along with 10 tackles for loss, 2 INT’s and 1 sack. Hawkins has done nothing but produce over his high school career thus far and he is banking on a big senior year that helps put him into the college game. The biggest thing that excites you about Hawkins when watching his film is his instincts and quick 1st step towards the ball. The Smoky Bears linebacker plays a no non-sense style of ball where he comes ready to lay the wood then get back up to do it again! Expect yet another big year this Fall from Hawkins because all he knows is playing hard and making all the tackles. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12831217/6197085dd45e080a50bc4659">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12831217/6197085dd45e080a50bc4659</a>   3. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102335" first="Hayden" last="Smith"] (6’1 220) - Westview <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-303389" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/IMG_0012-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> - Coming off a Class 2A state championship, Smith is one of the top returning linebackers from the West Region and boy did he put up some strong numbers from his junior season. The Chargers stud inside backer put up 177 total tackles last year along with 10 tackles for loss that led him to being named Defensive Region MVP. Smith consistently puts himself around the action, making plays on the ball and when he is not, he helps direct the defense and others towards it. An ultra competitor with a strong work ethic, Smith is a technician that constantly works at improving and developing his game further. This is a linebacker that you want on your team and it’s not just because of his production but his value for the locker room both on and off the field. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11280178/61cf89d1066ba009d8e76566">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11280178/61cf89d1066ba009d8e76566</a>   4. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102363" first="Tate" last="Wirth"] (6’2 210) - St. George’s - One of the more productive and underrated backers throughout the past few seasons is Wirth but yet he sits without an offer. That should change once he hits the camp scene this summer and shows out in front of coaches, proving to them why he has produced so many tackles over his three years of high school ball. Last year as a junior, Wirth produced 112 total tackles along with 9 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles and I feel that he will up those numbers even more this coming Fall. Showing up on film, Wirth is a sideline to sideline tackler that plays with great instincts along with a quick first step that puts him on the ball before anyone else. He is also very physical and embraces making contact and causing problems for opposing running backs. Wirth is one of the more unheralded linebackers from the ‘23 class that is more than worthy of a scholarship as he brings a lot to the table for a college program. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12853686/618b40cbd45ecc0da010ef58">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12853686/618b40cbd45ecc0da010ef58</a>   5. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201081" first="Jackson" last="Steele"] (6’3 215) - Carter <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250373" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/30-Jackson-Steele.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> - Coming off a breakout junior season where he led his team in tackles, Steele is an athletic and active linebacker that has the talents and upside to make it into D1 college football. Last year as a junior, Steele produced 94 total tackles along with 3.5 sacks but was also the key force on the Hornets defense that opposing teams had to prepare for. Fast, athletic and rangy, Steele brings a lot of tools to the football field that makes you think that he could be one of the best linebackers in this state based on talent. He has a great frame for added weight and also has an agile lower body and foot speed that consistently puts him around the football. Steele must continue to develop his craft and body but the upside is there for this East Tennessee linebacker to blossom into a force this Fall and put himself at the highest level of college football. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10254761/618c3f8342062b0a3004c573">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10254761/618c3f8342062b0a3004c573</a>   Others Considered: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201082" first="Noah" last="Gravel"] - Baylor, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201083" first="Eli" last="Denton"] - Walker Valley, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102242" first="Bronco" last="Hanks"] - Beech, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="152523" first="Seaton" last="Hapner"] - Wilson Central, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102202" first="Jamar" last="Carnell"] - Clarksville, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="150373" first="Chase" last="Manning"] - Silverdale Acad., (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="242093" first="Browning" last="Trainer"] - MBA <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-249988" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/edenton-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />