Behind the Rankings: 2023 Linebackers

<strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong> With over 29 linebackers finding their way into our rankings update, finding a top 10 was one of the most difficult projects of the entire update. This linebacking group in the 2023 class has a ton of next level talent in it. Below are our breakdowns of the top 10 linebackers in this update. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="106769" first="Alex" last="Sanford"] | Oxford Maintaining his No. 1 LB spot, [player_tooltip player_id="106769" first="Alex" last="Sanford"] put on another show last season as a junior. The vocal leader of the Oxford defense, Sanford has a skillset that will make him a player on Saturday’s pretty soon. Sanford has excellent football IQ and can diagnose plays quickly, whether that be pre-snap or post-snap. He runs well in the open field and uses his athleticism to create havoc on designed blitzes. A naturally strong kid, Sanford is a form tackler who can deliver big blows to ball carriers. He shows the athleticism and skill set to be a three down linebacker at the next level. Sanford currently lists offers from Ole Miss, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, and many other universities around the southeast. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="340749" first="Zakari" last="Tillman"] | Florence Finding his way to the No. 2 spot after previously being unranked, [player_tooltip player_id="340749" first="Zakari" last="Tillman"] has had one of the largest jumps in all the rankings. We wrote about Tillman earlier in the week, but this guy is just a flat out football player. His athleticism is off the charts. Tillman can cover speedy receivers downfield or rush off the edge and defeat offensive linemen for tackles for loss or sacks. Although he plays almost all the non-line positions on the field, we love Tillman’s projection as a WILL linebacker at the next level. He currently holds offers from Memphis, Arkansas State, Louisiana Lafayette, and many others. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="107014" first="Montrell" last="Chapman"] | South Panola Raising his stock significantly as a junior, South Panola’s [player_tooltip player_id="107014" first="Montrell" last="Chapman"] finds himself as the third ranked linebacker in this rankings update. Chapman plays more of an outside backer role for South Panola, but also finds himself inside in some different packages. The long and athletic playmaker stands at 6’2" 190 and uses his size to his advantage. Chapman does a great job at shedding blocks using his length to make plays on the ball carrier. He runs well in space and shows the ability to play shallow zones in coverage or be used as an extra blitzer off the edge. Really talented player who is continuing to rise in recruiting circles. Chapman holds offers from Arkansas State, East Mississippi, Coahoma, and Northwest. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="107041" first="Makel" last="Jones"] | Hattiesburg [player_tooltip player_id="107041" first="Makel" last="Jones"] was another player who found himself rising in a big way as a junior. The football player and power lifter posted huge numbers in the spring, squatting 480 and deadlifting 650 during a meet. Jones has the type of skillset that coaches at the next level love to see. He can cover receivers and tight ends on passing downs while also playing the run at a high level. Jones has good sideline to sideline speed and tackles well in the open field. What stands out most about his game is the intensity that he plays with. Jones currently holds offers from Jackson State, Alabama A&M, Navy, and Pearl River Community College. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="106778" first="Jamarion" last="Scott"] | Tupelo Maintaining his spot in the top 10, Tupelo’s [player_tooltip player_id="106778" first="Jamarion" last="Scott"] could have some of the best run defending tools in the LB class. Scott stands at 6’2" 230 and is hard to move at the line of scrimmage. He plays with good pad level and understands how to shed blocks properly. Wherever the football is, Scott is somewhere nearby. He has a motor that runs hot and is in on seemingly every single play. Scott uses his length well to disrupt passing windows and can cover shallow zones as well. Very well rounded linebacker that is currently a bit of a sleeper. Scott lists one offer from Itawamba Community College, but should continue to add interest with time. 6. [player_tooltip player_id="340737" first="Kaleb" last="Raston"] | Moss Point A fast and physical inside backer, [player_tooltip player_id="340737" first="Kaleb" last="Raston"] finds himself in the rankings for the first time at the 6th spot. At 6’0" 220, Raston is built like a linebacker but has the athleticism of a safety. Against the pass, Raston thrives. He can run with almost any WR or TE he faces and can quickly trigger on the ball being thrown. Raston is a very physical player and he feasts on routes coming over the middle. Against the run, he does a great job at getting off blocks and making plays in the backfield. Raston currently holds an offer from Mississippi Valley, but that list should continue to grow. 7. [player_tooltip player_id="340825" first="Kennon" last="Loftin"] | West Jones [player_tooltip player_id="340825" first="Kennon" last="Loftin"] checks into our 2023 rankings as a new addition and was one of the best surprises yet. The 6’2" 225 linebacker looks like he is starting to come into his own. A force against the run, Lofting was borderline unblockable last season. His speed and physicality made for some serious mismatches for offensive linemen to deal with. Loftin plays a MIKE style linebacker position and loves contact. He is in on every tackle and can deliver huge hits to ball carriers. His recruitment has just now taken off, adding offers from Mississippi Valley, Coahoma, Lane College, and many others. 8. [player_tooltip player_id="120029" first="Matthew" last="Adcock"] | Simpson County Academy Rising in the rankings several spots, inside backer [player_tooltip player_id="120029" first="Matthew" last="Adcock"] finds himself at the 8th overall spot this update. Adcock is one of the best, if not the best, linebackers in the MAIS. He stands at 6’2" 230 and plays a MIKE role for Simpson County Academy. Totaling 119 tackles last season, Adcock was dominant vs the run last season. He shows the ability to quickly diagnose his keys and get in on the tackle before the ball carrier can gain any momentum. Adcock is a strong tackler with great form and rarely misses in the open field. The rising senior added an offer from Co-Lin recently, but will look to continue garnering interest as a senior. 9. Tommy Kelly Jr. | Provine With over 130 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an INT, Provine’s Tommy Kelly Jr. was an easy addition to this rankings update. The 6’0" 225 inside backer has great speed in the open field and makes plays all over the place. Kelly is a strong tackler who gets off blocks well. In addition, he can cover shallow zones in pass coverage and make plays on receivers and tight ends. What stands out most about his game is the chip on his shoulder he plays with. Kelly has a motor that runs hot and is seen chasing down ball carriers from across the field. He currently holds offers from Mississippi Gulf Coast, Hinds, East Mississippi, and several other schools, but should continue to add offers as the year goes on. 10. [player_tooltip player_id="340859" first="Tre" last="Parker"] | Grenada Grenada’s [player_tooltip player_id="340859" first="Tre" last="Parker"] finds himself at the 10th spot in our updated rankings after a stellar 2021 season. Parker is listed at 6’2" 225 and plays an outside linebacker position for his team. Parker is an excellent tackler who gets off blocks with ease. He has good speed in the open field and can chase down ball carriers from anywhere. Parker thrives as an additional blitzer. He shows excellent timing and usually comes unblocked as a result. Off the edge, he bends well and has a variety of pass rush moves to free himself up to make a big hit on the quarterback. Parker lists offers from Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and several other schools.