STOCK RISERS: 2024 LBs Rise In Newest Rankings

The spring has come to an end across the state of Georgia and Prep Redzone has recently released their latest <a href="https://prepredzone.com/georgia/rankings/2024-rankings/">2024 Georgia Rankings.</a> 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<a href="https://prepredzone.com/georgia/rankings/2024-rankings/"> 2024</a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/georgia/rankings/2024-rankings/"> Prep Redzone Georgia Rankings</a>. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="321434" first="Myles" last="Graham"] – Linebacker- Woodward Academy</strong> One of the hardest hitters in the Atlanta area, Graham is an excellent defender who knows how to come down and make plays against the run. Only a sophomore, Graham is a sure tackler with impressive instincts. He closes quickly on the ball carrier and leaves a bruise when he gets there. He's a natural runner and athletic enough to play on both sides of the ball, but many college programs feel he could be an impact linebacker early on. Playing on one of the most talented defenses in the state, Graham easily stands out among the rest. The 6-foot-1 200-pounder is tough, physical, and runs really well for his size. He breaks tackles on offense, and he knows how to bring a physical presence at linebacker. He's an active, vicious hitter who plays much bigger than his size. He's now ranked as the No. 1 linebacker prospect in Georgia and the No. 22 overall prospect in the state. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><a class="player-name js-profile-link" href="https://www.hudl.com/athlete/14697707">Qua Birdsong</a> – Troup County</strong> One of the top young defenders in West Georgia, Birdsong is a quick, explosive, versatile defender who can line up on the edge or behind the defensive line at linebacker. He sure doesn't look like a sophomore on film as he was a tackling machine and really laid the hammer on ball carriers in the area. He's a sure tackler, he gets into the backfield with ease, and he's put together physically at 6-foot-1 180-pounds. He's incredibly quick off the ball and can be a game-wrecker at times, blowing up plays and ending drives with big TFLs. He's a prospect who is only getting better and will see his stock continue to rise over time. He appears to be an outside linebacker at the next level and he's bound for another gigantic season this upcoming season as a junior. As good as he was last year, his best football is still ahead of him. He's now ranked in the newest 2024 rankings as the No. 2 LB prospect and the No.27 overall prospect in the state. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><span class="pn-player-link"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="127147" first="Andrew" last="Hines"]</span></span> – Linebacker – Woodward Academy</strong> Another young linebacker to know in Atlanta out of Woodward Academy, Hines coming in as the No. 3 LB prospect in Georgia for the 2024 class. Hines is a long, rangy athlete who know how to deliver a hit. He's instinctual for his age and he's put together well from a physical standpoint. At 6-foot-1 215-pounds, he's big and strong for his size and has the frame to continue putting on more mass for the next level. He's quick, moves well, and can get into the backfield in a hurry. He has some explosiveness to his game and is versatile enough to play in the middle of the field or on the edge. He could also be a bigger safety in certain situations due to his ability to close well in coverage. He flashes a ton of potential for his age and he holds offers from Virginia, Maryland, UCF, Tennessee, among others. As a sophomore last year, Hines made made 54 tackles and two sacks. He also returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown, showing his big play potential. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="137459" first="Ashton" last="Woods"] - Walton One of the most talented and productive defenders in all of Cobb County, Woods tackled everything in sight last year, leading the team with 105 stops, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 INTs. He was excellent in coverage but was a reliable run-stopper as well. He has great size at 6-foot-3 210-pounds and has a high football IQ. He can dissect plays early on and knows how to rally to the ball. His strength allows him to shed blocks, and if he's not blocked properly, he's going to make a big play. He's explosive off the edge at outside linebacker, but has enough speed to play in the middle of the field as well. He shows good ball skills in coverage and can be a true game-wrecker as a defender. He's one of the top overall linebackers in the area and holds offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, among others. He's now ranked as the No. 4 LB prospect and the No. 49 overall prospect in the state in the latest rankings update.