2023 Rankings Newcomers: Linebackers

Paul Gregorian July 29, 2022 @ 11:58 AM

[player_tooltip player_id='384683' first='Jordan' last='Whitney'], Pacifica   Whitney wrapped up his commitment when he committed to Washington back in June and is a big time get for the Huskies. Holding offers from Boise State, Arizona and Cal among others, Whitney is one of the more explosive and athletic linebackers California has to offer. He is a dominant player on both sides of the ball and has elite speed, quickness and the ability to make plays behind the LOS while extremely physical in the box. A high motor player, he is a strong tackler in space while fluid in the open field and shows nice cover abilities as well.     [player_tooltip player_id='384712' first='RL' last='Miller'], Sacred Heart   Miller has had a very productive off-season after coming off a Junior campaign that included him winning a state championship to end the 2021 season for Sacred Heart. He is still a raw and developing player at the linebacker position, but his length, ball skills and range make him very intriguing at the next level and he will be one of the most dominant players across Northern California in 2022. Arizona State locked down his commitment in June and he will be a very interesting player to watch as he progresses through college and shows that upside.     [player_tooltip player_id='384723' first='Dustin' last='Reynolds'], Apple Valley   Reynolds only has two offers right now from Arizona State and Nevada, but that should change as he moves through his senior season. Projecting as an inside linebacker in college, he is a downhill thumper that bangs in the box and explodes through contact while filling quickly and playing with a low hat when getting off blocks and moving laterally. A high IQ player, he takes good angles to ball carriers outside the tackles and can provide some pass rush and bend off the edge. Big, strong and physical while seemingly always around the ball, Reynolds will once again be one of the top defenders across the region in 2022.     [player_tooltip player_id='384726' first='Dylan' last='Lee'], East Union   Lee is an intriguing player that can play multiple positions at the next level, but due to his frame and length, should fit well at the second level of the defense at outside linebacker. He is a very physical player on the edge and does a nice job at using his length to keep blockers away from his chest while having a quick trigger when taking on blockers and tackling ball carriers. Lee shows cover abilities out of the backfield with recovery speed/length and has natural ball skills while baiting quarterbacks into poor throws and quickly breaking on the ball. A terrific outside receiver as well, he is physical and tough on the outside with strong hands and can make contested catches with highpoint abilities and shows sneaky open field speed as he is a long strider that covers tons of ground.   [player_tooltip player_id='270906' first='Samarai' last='Anderson'], Corona Centennial   Anderson is a very balanced and physical outside linebacker that can cause havoc from various angles and shows elite closing speed and physicality in the box. On tape, he is an active player that can close backside and make plays behind the LOS while bringing a nice thump at contact and drives through his tackles. He shows COD abilities and can bend around blockers while able to rush the passer and blitz off the edge with good timing and a quick use of hands. Also knowing when to pull the chain and trigger on the quarterback, he is one of the better playmaking linebackers across the region heading into the Fall. Currently Army, Cal Poly, Southern Utah, Eastern Washington, and Idaho have offered.

Jordan Whitney Jordan Whitney 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Pacific | 2023 State CA , Pacifica