Top 2023 Tackling Machines in 3A

In the state of Georgia, if you can’t tackle, you aren’t playing on defense. In an year of high-passing attacks in Georgia, it’s important to have defenders who can also tackle well in space and help slow down the rushing attack. Some of the state’s best tacklers from the 2021 season came from linebackers in the 2023 class, and many of them are seeing their stock rise quickly after an exceptional season last fall. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="330776" first="Jakyri" last="Jones"] - Monroe Area</strong> A quick, active linebacker with a nose for the football, Jones is the leading returning tackle in 3A heading into his senior season this fall. The 5-foot-10 190-pound linebacker totaled 1409 tackles last year, making him one of the most productive linebackers across Georgia going into the 2022 season. He’s smart, instinctive, and he doesn’t miss tackles. He does a great job of wrapping up at the feet and always found his way into the backfield, making an impressive 29 TFLs as a junior last fall. He reads the play well and has enough quickness and toughness to shed blocks and track down the ball carrier. Jones made 10+ tackles in every game but one last year, leading a strong Hurricanes defense to a successful 11-1 season. He also added 7 sacks, forced 6 fumbles, and made two INTs on the season. He’s still one of the more underrated linebackers in the state and will likely light up the stat sheet this year as a senior. &nbsp; <strong><span class="pn-player-link"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="330783" first="Julian" last="Fox"]</span><span class="info-box"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/julian-fox/"><span class="player-img"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/user-uploads/469E3E1D-086F-4F87-B893-45C0C7C774FF-150x150.png" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/user-uploads/469E3E1D-086F-4F87-B893-45C0C7C774FF-150x150.png" /></span></a></span></span> – Crisp County</strong> A tackling machine in South Georgia, Fox looks like the next big-time linebacker to come out of a tough, impressive Crisp County program. The 6-foot-1 200-pounder tackled everything in sight last fall, making 148 tackles and 12 TFLs to go along with 4 sacks. One of the leading tacklers in 3A last year, Fox is instinctive and is constantly moving pre-snap, making it hard for offensive linemen to get a hand on him. He gets into the backfield in a hurry and can really blow up a play before it gets started. He’s an excellent blitzing linebacker who knows how to sneak through the line of scrimmage. He’s a good form tackler and made around 11 tackles per game. Fox made 10+ tackles in all but three games last year including a 23 tackle performance against Peach County. He was one of the most productive linebackers in all of South Georgia and will be a tackling machine once again as a senior this fall. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="321275" first="Whit" last="Weeks"] - Oconee County</strong> One of the top athletes in the Athens are, Weeks dominated as a junior and was one of the top overall defenders in 3A last fall. cOne of the top overall linebacker in the state, Weeks made a combined 134 total tackles during the season. He’s instinctive, he strikes, and he’s one of the smartest players on the field. He gets into the backfield in a hurry and uses his hands well to get off blocks. He’s got good size at 6-foot-2 205-pounds. He plays hard, he’s tough, he’s physical, and he lead a very strong Oconee County defense all season. There aren’t many linebackers who have the same size, instincts, toughness, and big-play ability like Weeks, and it’s led to offers from Georgia, LSU, USC, among others. He has great bloodlines as well as his father played for the Georgia Bulldogs in the 90s and his brother, West Weeks, currently plays for LSU. &nbsp; <strong>Kade Moledor - Dawson County</strong> A tough, physical linebacker who knows how to deliver the wood, Moledor is one of the more underrated linebackers not only in 3A, but across North Georgia. He’s instinctive, and always finds his way to the ball. He loves contact and has no problem coming up with a big hit in short-down situations. He made tackle after tackle last year for the Tigers, making 120 tackles and 16 TFLs. He’s an alpha defender and knows hot to light up a running back if he’s not careful. He strikes well, shows good tackling form, and doesn’t mind throwing his body around. He was incredibly productive last year and will lead the Tigers defense once again this fall as a senior.