NEWCOMERS: Atlanta-Area LB Additions To 2023 Rankings
Spring practice is finally here across the state of Georgia and Prep Redzone has recently released their latest 2023 Georgia Rankings. New players emerged in the latest update, and we are happy to rank a number of different “under the radar”…
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Continue ReadingSpring practice is finally here across the state of Georgia and Prep Redzone has recently released their latest 2023 Georgia Rankings.
New players emerged in the latest update, and we are happy to rank a number of different “under the radar” linebackers in the Atlanta and metro area. Here are some new Atlanta-area linebacker additions to the latest 2023 Prep Redzone Georgia Rankings.
Will Snellings Will Snellings 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Whitewater | 2023 State GA – Whitewater
One of the toughest and most instinctive linebackers south of Atlanta, Snellings was a tackling machine last year, making 97 tackles, 6 TFLs, and one forced fumble. He’s also one of the hardest hitters in the area, and when he makes a tackle, the ball carrier is going to feel it. The6-foot-2 220-pounder reacts quickly, and he doesn’t miss many tackles. He has good form, and consistently found his way to the football as a junior last fall. He earned the right to be ranked in the Prep Redzone rankings due to his instincts, productivity, and how he plays overall. Snellings shows impressive strength on film and has no problem shedding blocks and getting into the backfield to make a play. He’s a quality linebacker who deserves more recognition after an excellent junior season.
Ashton Heflin Ashton Heflin 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Newnan | 2023 State GA – Newnan
About 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta is where you’ll find an under the radar linebacker who loves making plays off the edge. Feflin is a long, athletic outside linebacker at 6-foot-2 225-pounds who really impressed last season as a junior. He didn’t light up the stat sheet as much as others, but his 54 tackles and two sacks can’t be ignored. He flashes a ton, and when he makes a play, it’s fun to watch. If he’s not blocked correctly, he’s going to make the offense pay, and it’s going to end up badly for the ball carrier. Heflin runs well and can get into the backfield in a hurry. His recruitment is starting to take off a little bit this spring with recent offers from Army and Middle Tennessee State. He’s a prospect on the rise, and he made his debut in the latest Prep Redzone Rankings.
Ali Abdul-Hakeem Ali Abdul-Hakeem 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Riverdale | 2023 State GA – Riverdale
Another explosive outside linebacker, Abdul-Hakeem was a big play waiting to happen last year. He has decent size at 6-foot-0 210-pounds and really attacked the quarterback last year. He plays bigger than his size, and he knows how to deliver a big hit. He’s quick off the ball and knows how to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He flashed just about every Friday night and has two D1 offers to back that up. As a junior last fall, Abdul-Hakeem made 73 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 5 sacks. He also defended well in coverage and broke up multiple passes during the season. There’s a lot to like about his game, and he’s only going to get better. He currently holds offers from Army and Morehouse College.
Ahmad Johnson Ahmad Johnson 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Westlake | 2023 State GA – Westlake
Another quick, instinctive linebacker who knows how to tackle, Johnson is an Atlanta native out of Westlake High School, one of the top programs in the Atlanta area. Johnson showed he was a true playmaker off the edge, making plays as both a pass rusher and run defender off the edge. He was a tackling machine last fall, making 140 total stops, averaging 12.7 tackles per game. The 6-foot-1 200-pounder has a true nose for the football and consistently made his way to the ball carrier. He does a good job of playing physical to get off blocks, and he has no problem going sideline to sideline to make a tackle. He covers a lot of ground and was one of the more productive linebackers across Georgia last fall. He’ll only get better as he enters his senior season this fall, so don’t be surprised if he’s one of the state’s leading tacklers in 2022.