2023 Rankings – Linebacker Breakdown
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Throughout the month of October, we had an update to our prospect rankings. Three weeks ago, we released our first watch list for the 2026 class. The first rankings for that class will come out in January. Two weeks ago, 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 RIGHT HERE. Last week, we took a look at some of the top juniors in Oklahoma with an update to the 2024 rankings. You can check out the full rankings RIGHT HERE. This week, we finish up the ranking breakdowns with a look at the 2023 rankings. You can check out the Top 200 Seniors RIGHT HERE.
In this post, we’re taking a look at some of the best linebackers in the state’s 2023 class. This position has been one where we’ve talked about how deep it is. In fact, in the Top 200, no other position has more players other than linebacker. Stay tuned throughout the week for more 2023 prospect breakdowns.
Booker T Washington went from having one of the best secondaries in the state to a very young group and the strength of the Hornet defense shifted to the front seven this season. Leading the linebacker group has been senior Aiden Walker Aiden Walker 6’0″ | LB Booker T Washington | 2023 State OK , who is an incredibly productive linebacker. Like many prospects on this list, Walker is off the charts in terms of tackles each and every week. He flies all over the field and covers a ton of ground in a hurry. He’s a very physical player at the point of attack and is going to be a very good inside linebacker at the next level, wherever that ends up being.
We say this all the time as a preface but it’s true. The word “underrated” is one of the more overused words when it comes to recruiting. But it’s the perfect word to describe Atoka linebacker Andrew McCall Andrew McCall 6’0″ | 210 lbs | LB Atoka | 2023 State OK . Throw on the tape or see McCall play in person and you can tell very quickly that not only is he one of the top linebackers in the state’s 2023 class, he’s a D1 prospect and one of the better defensive prospects in the class. McCall has been lights out once again this fall and has been incredibly productive every single week. His stock as a prospect has been skyrocketing this fall.
Highlights
A prospect that we’ve written about for a few years now is Union linebacker Braylen Irvin-Fisher Braylen Irvin-Fisher 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Union | 2023 State OK . It appeared obvious to us early on in Fisher’s career that he was destined to be one of the better linebackers in this class just based on the athleticism he plays with. Fast forward to this season and he’s part of a Union team that is headed into the playoffs with an undefeated record. Union’s defense has playmakers everywhere and Fisher has to be included as one of them. It seems like every week or every other week Fisher is coming up with a turnover or two after making a big play.
One of the more versatile prospects on this breakdown is Broken Arrow’s Dietrich Moore Dietrich Moore 6’0″ | 210 lbs | LB Broken Arrow | 2023 State OK . After the last two seasons, Moore came into this year as the top linebacker in the class and is still one of the better prospects on the defensive side of the ball. Moore had his junior year cut short because of a knee injury but not only is he back, but he’s making a big impact for Broken Arrow as an overall athlete. You just have to look at the production and versatility that Moore plays with to see what we mean when it comes to him as a prospect. There’s a lot that Moore can do to help a team at the next level.
Another linebacker that is incredibly productive has been Mustang linebacker Hudson Conrad Hudson Conrad 6’2″ | LB Mustang | 2023 State OK . When we talk about Mustang, a lot of the attention quickly goes to the offensive side of the ball because the Broncos have some legitimate weapons on that side. However, the defense has been good throughout the year and a big reason behind that has been the play of Conrad. He just looks like an extension of the coaching staff out on the field and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. Conrad is definitely a college prospect and as Mustang makes their playoff push in November, more eyes will be on him.
Another linebacker prospect who could see his recruitment absolutely explode as his team makes a playoff run in November is Tuttle senior Jake Tucker Jake Tucker 6’1″ | 210 lbs | LB Tuttle | 2023 State OK . We first got a chance to see Tucker earlier this year when we caught his junior film. Then we saw him in person a few times since and the in-person evaluation matches what we saw from him on film. And over the last month, it feels like Tucker has taken his game to another level. He’s been incredibly productive and is filling up the stat sheet every single week. Tuttle is once again a team to watch in Class 4A and Tucker could benefit from more eyes on him.
Highlights
Our next linebacker that has also doubled as a hard-running running back is Edmond Memorial’s Kiefer Mullins Kiefer Mullins 6’0″ | 195 lbs | LB Edmond Memorial | 2023 State OK . This 2023 prospect has been a linebacker that has flown under the radar but with the Bulldogs winning and making it back to the playoffs, more people have started paying attention to the Bulldogs and have seen Mullins stand out this season. Mullins is a hard-hitting linebacker that we also think could move back and play a little safety in the right scheme. Either way, we think that Mullins has the size, athleticism and production to be an impact player at the next level.
It’s been a rough season for Shawnee on the field but the Wolves still have prospects like linebacker Landon Davis-Barkus Landon Davis-Barkus 6’2″ | 210 lbs | LB Shawnee | 2023 State OK that have shined this season. We first got a chance to see Barkus earlier this year during a team camp back in May and he stood out to us throughout the evening in Choctaw. This season, Barkus has moved around and played a few different positions on the defensive side of the ball. But the one constant, no matter where he’s lined up has been his production. Barkus has averaged over 15 tackles per game as he just has a nose for the ball and knows where to be at all times.
One of last season’s breakout stars was Holland Hall’s Parker Jenney Parker Jenney 6’1″ | LB Holland Hall | 2023 State OK . As the Dutch were making a run at a second straight state championship, Jenney was becoming one of the top linebackers in the state. This season, Holland Hall struggled out of the gates after losing so many key seniors off last year’s team. As we get close to the playoffs starting, Jenney and the Dutch are starting to play some of their best football. Jenney has had a massive impact for Holland Hall on the offensive side of the ball. But when it comes to him as a prospect, there’s no doubt that he’s a linebacker at the college level.
We wrote about this during the summer when looking at the Del City Eagles and specifically their defense. The Eagles adding move in Tango McCauley Tango McCauley 6’2″ | 245 lbs | LB Del City | 2023 State OK was massive in terms of helping their defense, especially at the linebacker position. McCauley has been one of the best linebackers in the state over the last few seasons and that’s continued this year. McCauley has lined up at times closer to the line of scrimmage but when it comes to projecting him as a prospect, he’s a linebacker all the way. We’re looking forward to seeing the opportunities he gets with his senior tape making the rounds.