Class of 2024: Top Linebackers

The Linebacker position is one of the toughest positions to play in football. An effective Linebacker must be athletic enough to cover TE, RB and sometimes slot WR in coverage, exhibit outstanding play speed and athleticism to prevent RB from gaining yardage, very instinctive to read run/pass and tough enough to take on and shed blocks from Offensive Linemen who are usually much bigger. In the Prep Redzone rankings for the class of 2024, there are several talented Linebackers that can do all of that. Here are five of those Linebackers to keep an eye on this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="284575" first="Elias" last="Owens"], 6’4, 215, Mansfield [player_tooltip player_id="284575" first="Elias" last="Owens"] is the #1 ranked LB and the 45th ranked player in the class of 2024 overall. In 2021, he helped the Mansfield Tygers to a 9 win season, held opposing offenses to 16.3 points per game and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs. He plays as an OLB. Against the pass, he shows excellent burst off the ball and effectively uses his outstanding athletic ability as well as his long arms and great hand use to beat the OT. He displays good closing speed and motor in pursuit and finishes up with a sack or forces the QB to pass the ball earlier than anticipated. Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play, plays with good leverage and delivers a good form tackle preventing a gain of significant yardage. [player_tooltip player_id="284576" first="Josh" last="Grambo"], 6’3, 200, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin [player_tooltip player_id="284576" first="Josh" last="Grambo"] is the 2nd ranked LB and the 52nd ranked player in the class of 2024 overall. In 2021, he helped the Notre Dame Cathedral Latin Lions hold opposing offenses to 12 points or less 4 times. He plays predominantly as an OLB. Against the pass, he penetrates the LOS quickly using his good play speed in pursuit and finishes up with a sack. Against the run, he shows good instincts in pursuit of the RB, squares his shoulders while playing with good leverage and exhibits good explosiveness as delivers a big hit behind the LOS for a TFL. [player_tooltip player_id="284815" first="Sean" last="Sheehan"], 6-0, 205, Granville [player_tooltip player_id="284815" first="Sean" last="Sheehan"] is the 4th ranked LB and the 58th ranked player in the class of 2024 overall. In 2021, he helped the Granville Blue Aces to a 13 win season, held opposing offenses to 15.1 points per game and advance to the Division III state semifinals. He plays as a MLB. Against the run, he times the snap perfectly which allows him to quickly penetrate the A gap. He displays very good play strength as he delivers a powerful hit to the RB behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he shows good athletic ability in pursuit and forces the QB to throw the ball earlier than anticipated leading to an interception. [player_tooltip player_id="284819" first="Caden" last="Wilson"], 6’1, 220, Hilliard Davidson [player_tooltip player_id="284819" first="Caden" last="Wilson"] is the 5th ranked LB and the 62nd ranked player overall in the class of 2024. In 2021, he helped the Hilliard Davison Wildcats to a 7 win season and held opposing offenses to 7 points or less 3 times. He plays predominantly as a MLB. Against the run, he does a great job of navigating through traffic, squares his shoulders and displays good explosiveness as he makes the tackle. Against the pass, he quickly penetrates the LOS with his great explosiveness and shows great play speed in pursuit before finishing up with a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="284824" first="Alex" last="Deschene"], 6’1, 200, Olentangy Orange [player_tooltip player_id="284824" first="Alex" last="Deschene"] is the 6th ranked LB and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist for the class of 2024. In 2021, his great play was a bright spot in the 1-9 season of the Pioneers. He plays as an OLB and ILB. Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play, shows good instincts as he takes the correct angle in pursuit and exhibits great play strength as he delivers a powerful hit to the RB preventing a gain of significant yardage. Against the pass, he does a good job of reading the QB and shows good play speed and athletic ability as he chases down the WR and prevents a potential big gain.