NEWCOMERS: 2024 LBs Earn New Ranking
The spring has come to an end across the state of Georgia and Prep Redzone has recently released their latest 2024 Georgia Rankings. New players emerged in the latest update, and we’ve found multiple new linebackers across the peach state who…
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Continue ReadingThe spring has come to an end across the state of Georgia and Prep Redzone has recently released their latest 2024 Georgia Rankings.
New players emerged in the latest update, and we’ve found multiple new linebackers across the peach state who had great seasons last fall. Here are some of the new linebacker additions whose stock rose in the latest 2024 Prep Redzone Georgia Rankings.
Devin Smith Devin Smith 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Brunswick | 2024 State GA – Brunswick
An impressive pass-rushing outside linebacker in South Georgia, Smith was one of the most productive linebackers in the area as a sophomore last season, making 61 tackles, 16 TFLs, and six sacks, leading the team. He has a long frame at 6-foot-3 215-pounds and is quick off the snap. He lived in the backfield last year and knows how to really pursue the ball carrier. He wraps up well and knows how to strike. Smith plays fast, gets off blocks on a consistent basis, and always finds his way to the ball. He was consistently one of the better players on Brunswick’s roster last year, and he did it as a sophomore. He appears to have D1 talent, and he’s bound for a gigantic junior season for the Pirates. Smith is currently ranked as the No. 14 linebacker prospect in Georgia in the newest 2024 Rankings.
Antonio Butts Jr – Calvary Day School
An incredibly instinctive linebacker for his age, Butts Jr. proved to be one of the hardest hitters in the region and really stood out as a sophomore last fall. He was a tackling machine last fall and showed a true knack for making plays and finding the football. He’s a smart defender who was always in the right place, and it led to him making 132 tackles 11.5 TFLs, two sacks, and four INTs. He’s an excellent run defender who fills the gaps between the tackles before the play can get going. Against the pass, Butts showed that he can read the quarterback’s eyes and has soft, reliable hands when making a play on the ball. He’s physical, quick, active, and does a good job of driving the ball carrier backwards. He’s ranked as the No. 17 LB prospect in Georgia for the 2024 class, but that ranking is expected to rise in a big way in the next update.
Clark Jackson Clark Jackson 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2024 State GA – Aquinas
One of the most productive linebackers across the entire state last fall, Jackson tackled everything in sight last fall, totaling 158 tackles, 19 TFLs, and 17 sacks. He’s lightning quick off the ball, has great hand placement that allows him to get off blocks, and then he knows how to get to the quarterback. He didn’t play against the best competition on a weekly basis, but he proved to be the best defender every time he stepped on the field. He’s quick to the ball, runs well for his size at 6-foot-0 200-pounds, and plays each down like it’s his last. He hits hard, drives the ball carrier backwards, and does a nice job of tripping up the ball carrier at the feet as well. He doesn’t miss many tackles, and he could be towards the top among the state’s best tacklers again next fall as a junior. It’s hard to have as productive of a season as he did last year, but as a junior, he’s expected to have another standout season. He’s without a doubt one of the top defenders in the Augusta area, and he has enough talent to play somewhere at the next level. Right now, he’s ranked as the No. 13 linebacker prospect in Georgia for the 2024 class.
Ty Brewer – Central
Another tough, hard-nosed linebacker, Brewer is one of the best in West Georgia across the 2024 class. He’s smart, strong, and while his overall size may not blow anyone away at 6-foot-0 205-pounds, his play on the field does. He knows how to deliver a pop and runs well to the sideline to cut off running lanes. He has a nose for the football, and if he’s not blocked properly, he can blow up any particular play. He clogs the running lanes and can disrupt the timing of the offense. He does his job each and every play, and he always finds his way to the ball. There’s a lot to like about his game, and he has a chance to light up the state sheet as a junior in 2022.