Class AA Middle Georgia Linebackers To Know
In Middle Georgia is where you’ll find some of the more physical and productive linebackers across the peach state. Roquan Smith is the area’s best linebacker to come through in the last decade, but there are plenty of small-town linebackers…
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Continue ReadingIn Middle Georgia is where you’ll find some of the more physical and productive linebackers across the peach state. Roquan Smith is the area’s best linebacker to come through in the last decade, but there are plenty of small-town linebackers who are coming up through Middle Georgia who are rolling through the AA classification
CJ Allen CJ Allen 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Lamar County | 2023 State GA – Lamar County
One of the highest-ranked linebackers across the state, the small-town linebacker out of Barnesville is tough, physical, and runs as well as any linebacker you’ll find in the area. The 6-foot-1 220-pounder can fly around the field and knows how to make the secure tackler when he meets the ball carrier. Allen has a nose for the football, can dissect plays before they happen, and can run down the ball-carrier with ease. He looks the part physically and proved that he’s strong and fast enough to make a big impact at the next level. He’s become a major prospect for plenty of D1 programs and already looks like a D1-caliber middle linebacker. He showed good hands in coverage, sideline to sideline speed, and knows how to leave a mark when he makes a tackle. As a junior last fall, Allen made 91 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 INTs.
Jacarian Grier – Jasper County
A two-way player from small-town Monticello, Grier is a 6-foot-1 185-pound receiver and linebacker who shows great hands and instincts on defense. He reads the quarterback well in coverage and knows how to make a big play on the ball. He also plays on special teams, and last fall, he was consistently one of the better athletes on the field. He can run, he can be physical against the run, and just has a knack for making plays. As a run defender, Grier knows how to deliver a big hit and does a nice job of avoiding blocks and getting to the ball carrier. Once he gets there, he’s going to leave a mark. The dynamic athlete roamed the middle of the field defensively and always found a way to the ball. During the 2021 season, Grier made 106 tackles and 10.5 TFLs.
Damarion Simmons – Dodge County
Another tough, physical middle linebacker, Simmons is an impressive two way player with impressive speed at 6-foot-0 210-pounds. He gets into the backfield in a hurry and is one of the surest tackles of anyone in the region. He closes on the ball well, gets off blocks, and has a nose for the football. He’s built well and plays with a physical style of play. He turned into a tackling machine as the year went on, and he ended his junior season with 91 total tackles, 13 TFLs, two sacks, two forced fumble, and had 8 QB hurries. He can stop the run, especially in the middle of the field, but he knows how to get after the quarterback as well. He’s a true playmaker on defense, and he was one of the more productive linebackers in all of Middle Georgia last season.
Trysten Baker – East Laurens
Don’t let his size fool you, the Dublin native does everything right and did a great job controlling the middle of the field at inside linebacker. He has no problem clogging running lanes and made tackle after tackle last season. He’s not the biggest or flashiest linebacker, but he may be one of the most consistent. He has instincts for the position and always finds himself in the right position to make a tackle. He does a nice job of sneaking through the line of scrimmage to find the ball carrier early in the play. He’s quick, smart, and knows how to tackle. The under the radar linebacker made 95 tackles on the season, forced two fumbles, and recovered two more.