STOCK RISERS: Top North Georgia Linebackers On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the peach state, if you're looking for linebackers, you'll be able to find them all over. In North Georgia we've seen some tackling machines emerge throughout the 2022 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some North Georgia linebackers to know about this season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/eli-barrow/FFhO5IxgEemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/football/stats.htm">Eli Barrow</a> - Cedartown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tackling machine in the Rome area, Barrow is a tough, instinctive linebacker who consistently finds his way to the ball. He's not the biggest linebacker in the 2023 class, but he's quick, physical, and knows how to deliver a big hit. He's a sure tackler and has made 58 total tackles through four games, averaging 14.5 tackles per game. He's smart, reacts quickly, and doesn't mind playing downhill and getting after the ball-carrier behind the line of scrimmage. He has 21 tackles in the season-opener against Rockmart, 13 tackles in a win over Callaway, 11 tackles in a win over Sequoyah, and 13 tackles in a win over Calhoun. He's leading a defense that gives up an average of just 7 points a game. If he continues to play this way the rest of the year, he's going to be towards the top in the state for tacklers come December. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/nicholas-baloga/jyhkBRQUEemAy__L_vT5eg/football/stats.htm">Nicholas Baloga</a> - Rabun County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fast, sideline to sideline linebacker way up in Rabun County, the 6-foot-0 195-pound linebacker knows how to run down the ball carrier. He's a good athlete, runs well, and plays bigger than his size. He has a muscular frame and doesn't mind playing physical. He's been a force this season. making 47 tackles through his first three games of the season. He made 22 tackles in week one, 14 tackles against Stephens County, and 11 tackles against Adairsville. He's one of the state's leading tacklers in his classification, but he does more than just tackle everything in sight. He plays the ball well, can get after the quarterback, and make plays in the backfield. He's a fun player to watch who gives it his all every play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ritt Tankersley - Stephens County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another under the radar North Georgia linebacker, Tankersly is a tough, physical defender who does a great job of closing holes in the run game. If there's an opening between the trenches, the senior has no problem filling those gaps before the back does. He consistently does his job each play and it's led to tackle after tackle so far this season. In week one, Tankersly made 11 tackles in a win over Habersham Central. He made a respectable 7 tackles in a loss to Rabun County, and came back strong with a 12-tackle performance in a win over Flowery Branch in week three. Last weekend, the Toccoa native made 13 tackles in a big win over Dawson County. He's absolutely a linebacker to keep an eye on the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->