PrepRedzone Pennsylvania Five for ’25: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our "Five for '25" series rolls on as we move to the linebacker group. We currently have 20 linebackers in our class of 2025 rankings including seven inside our top 50. It's a quality and talented group from top to bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you have missed them, you can check out our previous articles;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running Backs<br>Wide Receivers<br>Tight Ends<br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/prepredzone-pennsylvania-five-for-25-offensive-lineman/">Offensive </a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/prepredzone-pennsylvania-five-for-25-offensive-lineman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Line</a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/prepredzone-pennsylvania-five-for-25-offensive-lineman/"><br></a>Defensive Line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62ffbe4abbcd2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386032"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Our top linebacker in the class of 2025, Burnett is currently the only linebacker ranked in our top 10. Burnett is a versatile defender for Imani Academy being able to line up at multiple positions within their defense. He already has good size at 6-foot-2 and 185-pounds, he shows good athleticism and has quite a bit of explosiveness to his game as well. Burnett will be a name to keep tabs on throughout the next few years as he continues to develop. He's already receiving interest from multiple Power Five programs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["209027"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"It would've been hard to find many freshman defenders with more production than Cornell had in 2021. He totaled 96 total tackles including 50 total tackles. He also recorded four forced fumbles and one interception on the season. Cornell like Burnett has the ability to line up at a multitude of positions and shows the ability to do so at a high level at each. His athleticism really stands out on his HUDL tape as well as his ability to quickly diagnose and react to plays. He's also a big hitter and is always seeking out the ball, wherever the ball is, you'll likely find him right at it once a play ends.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["259543"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The next in line of great Pittsburgh Central Catholic defenders, Papa made an early impact for the Vikings as a freshman and is slated to have an even bigger role in 2022. He already has great size at 6-foot-3 and 217-pounds, if he continues to grow, there is a possibility he develops into a defensive end. As a linebacker, Papa shows good athleticism and play recognition.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["263032"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Williams has good size already at 5-foot-10 and 185-pounds while playing both linebacker and strong safety. Williams is a great athlete with good speed for a linebacker while also being quite agile. He shows good play recognition skills as well as the ability to get off blocks and get to the ball carrier.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["118752"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Much like Cornell, Kiersch was a highly productive linebacker as a freshman which is always impressive. Last season, he had 72 tackles and four interceptions. He has a good physical size so far at 6-foot-0 and 195-pounds, as long as he continues to grow he'll be among the top linebackers in the state. Quality athlete with good straight-line speed and the agility that allows him to chase down ball carriers. Much like his 2023 counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='91650' first='Mason' last='Raup'], Kiersch may not be the most physically gifted linebacker but he's a quality athlete and has great fundamentals and football IQ.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->