Top 10 Linebacker Duos in 2022
We continue our look into some of the top positional duos by taking a dive into the linebacker group. Having smart, physical backers that can be thumpers in the middle of the field and assets in coverage can be a…
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Continue ReadingWe continue our look into some of the top positional duos by taking a dive into the linebacker group. Having smart, physical backers that can be thumpers in the middle of the field and assets in coverage can be a huge difference maker for a defense. Check out which ‘backer duos are among the best as we head into the 2022 season.
1. Christian Jones (2025) & Curt Cubrich Curt Cubrich 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Omaha Westside | 2023 State NE (2023) – Omaha Westside
2021 Stats: Christian – 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception.
Curt – 61 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and a fumble recovery.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, they graduated a very good 2022 class with some great linebackers. However, they welcomed one of the biggest transfers of the offseason in OLB Christian Jones Christian Jones 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE . Jones had a breakout freshman year for Burke in which he showed that he is a do-it-all ‘backer. He has the ability to burst into the backfield as an edge rusher and drop back into coverage. He is a big body at 6’3″ 200 lbs and uses it very well when stopping ball carriers in their tracks. Curt is a very smart, reactive middle linebacker with plenty of varsity experience. He is physical and relentless with his pursuit, which resulted in 10 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Cubrich is also very versatile and can blitz off the edge. I’m projecting the Westside defense to be among the elite groups in the state, with Jones and Cubrich locking down the second level and edge.
2. Brogan Ling Brogan Ling 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE (2023) & Cooper Jackson Cooper Jackson 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE (2023) – Lincoln Southwest
2021 Stats: Brogan: 49 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.
Cooper: 83 tackles, 7 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
This is a duo that I think is getting slept on by teams in Class A. The Silver Hawks return one of the strongest 2023 classes in the state with several contributors all over the field. They will be especially strong at linebacker where they can count on outside linebacker Brogan Ling Brogan Ling 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE and Mike linebacker Cooper Jackson Cooper Jackson 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE . Brogan started catching fire last season as an edge-rusher and even racked up 4 sacks as a rotational player. Ling has great size and length for his position and was one of the top risers of the off-season. Brogan has announced his commitment to Northern Iowa and now has his sights set on punishing QBs. Cooper is a typical MLB that finds his way to the ball on practically every play. Jackson moves very well and has deceptive field speed that allows him to get to the ball quickly. He gets right in the ball-carriers chest and drives hard when he tackles. The Silver Hawks will have a lot of depth at this position with Sander, Evans, and others looking to step up.
3. Josiah Mobley Josiah Mobley 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Scottsbluff | 2023 State NE (2023) & Jayce Wilkinson Jayce Wilkinson 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Scottsbluff | 2023 State NE (2023) – Scottsbluff
2021 Stats: Josiah – 87 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, a sack, and fumble recovery.
Jayce – 57 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 2 fumble recoveries.
The Bearcats might have one of the best and most athletic overall linebacker rooms in the state. Depending on formation and scheme, the Bearcats have 4-5 high-quality players rotating at linebacker for them this year. For this feature, we’ll look at that the two returning tacklers from last year’s dominant squad, Jayce Wilkinson Jayce Wilkinson 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Scottsbluff | 2023 State NE and Josiah Mobley Josiah Mobley 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Scottsbluff | 2023 State NE . These two are very fun to watch on the field. They can flat-out fly around the field and play with a lot of intensity. Wilkinson is a rangy OLB that can fill in at the nickel/star role if asked to play in coverage. He is very smart and showed to have a nose for forcing turnovers with 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries. Josiah plays mostly middle/inside linebacker and is a real thumper in the middle of the field for the Bearcats. Mobley is great at shooting through his gap and stuffing the running back in the backfield. He has great sideline-to-sideline speed, which results in him getting to the ball on what seems like every play. I really like this duo’s physicality, especially with their tackling. They display great tackling technique and will finish through their opponent. The Bearcats are looking like the early team to beat in Class B, and with this duo patrolling the second level, it will be hard to move the ball on them.
4. Trace Marco Trace Marco 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Papillion-La Vista South | 2023 State NE (2023) & Broden Bahl Broden Bahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Papillion-La Vista South | 2023 State NE (2023) – Papillion-La Vista South
2021 Stats: Trace – 59 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, a sack, 5 passed defended, an interception, and 3 forced fumbles.
Broden – 43 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
The Titans have been putting in a lot of hard work this offseason. Two players that have taken full advantage of summer competition are Papio South’s Trace Marco Trace Marco 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Papillion-La Vista South | 2023 State NE and Broden Bahl Broden Bahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Papillion-La Vista South | 2023 State NE . Trace Marco Trace Marco 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Papillion-La Vista South | 2023 State NE is a player that I think is in prime position to be a huge riser this season. Trace is a high-effort, high-motor linebacker that can be plugged in at several positions on the defense. Marco is very instinctive that can cover a lot of space and is explosive when following through with his tackles. Broden is another up-and-coming linebacker with a lot of potential. I watched Broden at the Wayne State camp and I thought he performed very well and showed a lot of power in his hips and hands with sneaky quickness in his change of direction. The Titans are a team with a solid core of guys returning for their defense including Trace and Broden who will be huge in stopping the run game and patrolling the skies over the middle of the field.
5. Jace Chrisman Jace Chrisman 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2023 State NE (2023) & Justyce Hostetler Justyce Hostetler 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2024 State NE (2024) – Grand Island
2021 Stats: Jace – 59 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
Justyce – 76 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
The Islanders are a team that I am keeping a close eye on in 2022. They have some new faces at a few positions, but their LB group should be one of the more productive in the state. Senior Jace Chrisman Jace Chrisman 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2023 State NE is a LB that passes the initial eye test in terms of build and size, but also does a good job popping out on tape. What I see the most in his game is his football IQ. He doesn’t overpursuit or overcommit, staying in a good place to make a play. He is a strong tackler and also showed that he can hold his own in pass coverage with two interceptions (one pick-six). Grand Island 2024 LB Justyce Hostetler Justyce Hostetler 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2024 State NE is a player that I think is bound to erupt this season after recording the second most tackles for the Islanders last year. Justyce is a grinder on the field that always works his way to the ball. He does a good job beating his blocks using either speed or his strength and has a nonstop pursuit. He could be a hidden gem in this year’s junior class. This is a duo with a lot of potential to blow up on the recruiting circuit this year.
6. Kaleb Axmann Kaleb Axmann 5'11" | 175 lbs | LB Waverly | 2023 State NE (2023) & Cooper Skrobecki Cooper Skrobecki 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Waverly | 2023 State NE (2023) – Waverly
2021 Stats: Kaleb – 43 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Cooper – 4 interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
In my opinion, Class B is the most physical division in the state and features some of the best running attacks in the state. Having tough, physical ‘backers with the athleticism and instincts to drop into pass coverage is very important. The Waverly Vikings have the luxury of that in senior LBs Cooper Skrobecki Cooper Skrobecki 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Waverly | 2023 State NE and Kaleb Axmann Kaleb Axmann 5'11" | 175 lbs | LB Waverly | 2023 State NE . Cooper Skrobecki Cooper Skrobecki 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Waverly | 2023 State NE balled out for the Vikings during his junior year in which he snagged 4 interceptions. Skrobecki has a sturdy frame for inside linebacker at 6’2″ and 210 lbs and moves with lots of fluidity and quick to react in coverage. When playing the run, he is a physical player that makes great contact and finishes tackles with intent. Kaleb is a player that I think is primed to have a big year in 2022. He plays outside linebacker and showed flashes as an edge rusher. Kaleb is quick off the snap and explosive when shooting through his gaps. This is a duo that is going to stuff the stat sheet considering their versatile skillset.
7. Tyler Stewart Tyler Stewart 5'10" | 225 lbs | DL Omaha North | 2023 State NE (2023) & Armani Levering Armani Levering 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Omaha North | 2023 State NE (2023) – Omaha North
2021 Stats: Tyler – 65 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Armani – N/A
This is duo has the potential to shoot up these rankings before the season is over. Tyler Stewart Tyler Stewart 5'10" | 225 lbs | DL Omaha North | 2023 State NE has already captured two state championships on the wrestling mats, yet his skills on the gridiron have gone somewhat overlooked. Last year, Tyler was part of a vicious front seven that was one of the best at stopping the run. Tyler plays with a high motor and is always in pursuit mode. He uses his leverage, strength, and quickness very well when shedding blocks to get into the backfield. We could see Tyler play with his hand in the dirt at some point, but he is at his most dangerous as a standup edge rusher. Armani was a standout at Omaha Northwest last year before transferring to North. Levering is a big-bodied linebacker that packs a mean punch when he makes contact. He has a great football IQ and knows how to get himself into a position to make a play. I’m going to keep an eye on this tandem as well as other up-and-coming linebackers in the North rotation.
8. Lance Hesselgesser Lance Hesselgesser 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE (2023) & Will Jesske Will Jesske 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE (2023) – Lincoln Southeast
2021 Stats: Lance – 48 tackles and a sack.
Will – 77 tackles, .5 sack, a forced fumble, and an interception.
This is a LB duo that I feel has gone a bit overlooked in Class A. Despite being under the radar, this is still a talented, tough, hardworking linebacker tandem that is going to be one of the strengths of the Knight’s defense. Jesske was the leading tackler on last year’s squad that made the playoffs and will likely make a similar impact this year. Will plays the game like a battering ram and loves to bring the hurt with every tackle he makes. WIll is an outside linebacker that can play on or off the line of scrimmage and does a great job setting the edge against the run. Lance is a player that I think will have a production boost as he becomes a bigger factor in the defense. Hesselgesser was a player that was overlooked last year, but at the two Lincoln Southeast games that I watched, Lance’s name was one that was constantly mentioned by announcers. I like Lance’s explosiveness when shooting through his gaps and is a sure tackler when he gets to the ball-carrier. I’m telling you now, this is not a LB duo that you should overlook, they are physical, smart, good tacklers that will be coached up very well.
9. Dalton Snodgrass Dalton Snodgrass 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB York | 2023 State NE (2023) & Seth Erickson (2024) – York
Back to Class B with another rugged linebacker tandem. York always fields a pretty tough defense, and the presence of Snodgrass and Erickson in the second level should uphold that reputation. Dalton and Seth are star two-way players for the Dukes that can bring the pain as downhill linebackers. Dalton has a solid, strong build at 6’1″ and 220 lbs that moves a lot faster than you would expect for someone his size. I caught Dalton at the Husker’s Friday Night Lights camp and was impressed with his ability to play in coverage against backs and tight ends. Seth is an inside linebacker with great length and athleticism. He moves very well in space and can close on the ball-carrier in a flash. Erickson is only going into his junior year and will be a player to keep an eye on these next two seasons. Don’t be surprised if Dalton and Seth’s efforts on defense and offense help carry the Dukes on a deep run.
10. Logan Sobota Logan Sobota 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB Ashland-Greendwood | 2023 State NE (2023) & Jaxson Hamm Jaxson Hamm 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Ashland Greenwood | 2023 State NE (2023) – Ashland-Greenwood
2021 Stats: Logan – 84 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, a sack, 4 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
Jaxson – 37 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, an interception, a pass defense, and a fumble recovery.
Last, but certainly not least is this punishing duo from Class C1 Ashland-Greenwood. The Blue Jays had one of the best playmaking defenses in C1 last year and will return their reigning defensive player of the year, Logan Sobota Logan Sobota 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB Ashland-Greendwood | 2023 State NE . Sobota is a very tough middle linebacker that finds himself in the thick of the action on almost every play. Logan has one of the best motors on a middle linebacker in this class. He has great sideline-to-sideline speed and will work his way across the field to make a tackle. Don’t sleep on his coverage skills, either. Sobota will also have his partner in the middle, Jaxson Hamm Jaxson Hamm 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Ashland Greenwood | 2023 State NE . Hamm only played in seven games during his junior year, but he looked like a stud in those seven games and should see an uptick in production with a full senior season. Jaxson is a thumper in the middle of the field. He has a solid build at 5’11”, 210 lbs, and can pack a punch when he makes contact. Overall, the Blue Jays should field a very talented defense with several key returning starters at important spots and especially these two studs in the middle of the field.
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