2025 BREAKDOWN: Under The Radar Sophomore Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are here and we saw plenty of standout defenders step up in a big way this season. The state of full of young talent at linebacker, and there are plenty of the 2025 class who could see their stock rise in a big way this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zelin Pollard - Howard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more productive linebackers in Macon this year, Pollard had a big sophomore season, roaming the field at middle linebacker and making tackle after tackle every Friday night. He runs well, can get sideline to sideline, and knows how to strike the ball carrier. He has decent size at 6-foot-1 195-pounds and is quickly becoming one of the top 2025 linebacker prospects in Middle Georgia. He made 10+ tackles in seven games this season with two games of 14 tackles and two more of 18 tackles. In total, Pollard made 118 total tackles for an average of 11,8 tackles per game. He also added one sack and two INTs during his impressive sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570089' first='Kain' last='Brown'] - Ridgeland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a tough year for Ridgeland overall, but it's clear they've got a young linebacker on the roster who has turned into one of the best 2025 linebackers in North Georgia. The tough, instinctive linebacker at 5-foot-11 195-pounds loves contact and closes strong against the run. He's a tough, physical defender who knows how to secure a big tackle. He's fundamentally sound and was able to rack up stops left and right all season. The impressive sophomore made 107 total tackles making him one of the most productive linebackers in Northwest Georgia this season. He's made at least 10 tackles in six games this season with a monster 22-tackle game at the end of the regular season against Lafayette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabriel Bauman - Richmond Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top underrated linebackers in Savannah, Bauman is coming off an impressive sophomore season where he tackled everything in sight. It's never easy to lead a team at linebacker at such a young age, but that's what Bauman was able to do this year. A tough, hard-nose player, Bauman is a sure tackler who brings a physical presence to the Richmond Hill defense. He made at least nine tackles in eight games this year with six double-digit tackle games. He ended the regular season with 93 tackles, averaging 9.3 tackles per game. He'll be a Savannah-area linebacker to know about for the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kameyon Green</strong> - <strong>Monroe</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more athletic linebackers in the Albany area, Green played like a veteran this season, and as a sophomore, made sure everyone knew that he was a linebacker to be feared. He lived in the backfield this year, recording 15 TFLs, and got to the quarterback 8 times. Not only is he a run-stuffing machine, but Green showed the ability to get after the quarterback all season long as well. He's a dynamic linebacker with closing speed, versatility, and the ability to dish out a big hit. He can force a fumble on any particular play and showed that he has game-changing ability as a defender. He's a young linebacker who could see some D1 interest come his way down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->