2024 Rankings – Linebackers Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October is here and we have begun updating all of our prospect rankings throughout the website. Two weeks ago, we released our first&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank">watch list for the 2026 class</a></strong>. The first rankings for that class will come out in January. Last week, it was all about the 2025 class. We've updated those rankings to feature the top 75 sophomores in the state. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2025-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. This week, we take a look at some of the top juniors in Oklahoma with an update to the 2024 rankings. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, we're taking a look at five of the top linebackers in the state's 2024 class. While the 2023 class is loaded with linebackers, we're still waiting for more players to emerge at this position for the 2024 group. But these five are five of the better guys at the position. Stay tuned throughout the week for more 2024 prospect breakdowns. And keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma next week when we release our 2023 prospect rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635be64151717","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["487629"],"_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":"In 2024, Casady will join the OSSAA and they're building a program that should be ready to contend immediately. One player that is part of that process but will be gone for their first year is junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='487629' first='Connor' last='Phelps']. When we break down the film of Phelps, it's very easy to see that the football IQ is there with Phelps as he does a very good job of understanding the gaps along the line of scrimmage and which one he should attack. Phelps is a linebacker prospect on the rise within the 2024 class. We recently got to check out his film and he's very impressive in the open field when it comes to wrapping up and bringing down the ball carrier. Phelps has the ability to be a hard-hitter but he doesn't rely just on that when he's bringing down the ball carrier.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02d920c15"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635be65351718","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189939"],"_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":"One of the prospects that we think is about to blow up in a big way following this season is Woodland linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='189939' first='Jackson' last='Rhodes']. The last time we watched Rhodes in person, we saw a big linebacker who could make plays all over the field. And that was in the spring when he was coming off an injury. Fast forward to today and Rhodes is one of the more productive linebackers in Class A and is hands down the leading tackler for this year's Woodland team. The Cougars had somewhat of a slow start earlier in the year against a tough non-district schedule. But they have since bounced back and have a huge test this week against unbeaten Hominy. Rhodes has over 100 tackles and is racking up the tackles for loss as well as sacks. The production is there for him to be a rising prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02d920c47"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635be66551719","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110746"],"_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":"Earlier this season, Booker T Washington junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='110746' first='Jayden' last='Oates'] lined up mainly as a defensive end, but he could very easily be considering an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Oates is one of the more versatile players on the defensive side of the ball. He can play close to the line of scrimmage or he can back up and be more of a traditional linebacker. Based on his size, we have to lean towards Oates being more of a linebacker at the next level. And regardless of where he lines up on the field, Oates has found a way to be a productive part of Booker T Washington's defense. We want to see more of Oates from his junior season after looking at his sophomore film. Similar to a few other linebacker prospects in this class, we're waiting to see more film from this fall to compare him to other positions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02d920c6e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635be6755171a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110751"],"_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":"There's no doubt that this was one of the hardest evaluations to make during this last ranking update. Jenks junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='110751' first='Jett' last='Calmus'] has been out for nearly the entire season as the Trojans were arguably the hardest hit team when it comes to injuries. But when it comes to Calmus when he's healthy, there is a lot to like and unfortunately, we're going to have to wait until his senior season to see those skills come out. The Jenks linebacker was on our short list for prospects that could have a breakout season this fall prior to the year beginning. But with the injury taking Calmus out, we're missing out on that breakout moment. But Calmus is still a prospect to keep an eye on because once he gets back on the field and is healthy, we expect him to make up for lost time.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02d920c93"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635be6855171b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110748"],"_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":"You can make the argument that our final linebacker prospect should be ranked much higher considering the production on the field. There aren't too many linebackers in the state's 2024 class that have been more productive than Victory Christian standout [player_tooltip player_id='110748' first='Teyton' last='Chandler']. Better known as u0022Totu0022, Chandler has been outstanding since his freshman season. Chandler has also shown that he can turn around and play a little offense as well. But it's what he does on defense that has caught our eyes. Chandler is a dominating linebacker that flies all over the field from sideline to sideline. We think that it's only a matter of time before Chandler's recruitment starts taking off because you can't argue with the production or the measurables that Chandler has physically.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02d920cb7"} /-->