2024 Linebackers Ready to Lead the Way

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putting together an elite defense with a top-caliber linebacker is practically impossible. Having a star linebacker gives you a stud to build around and a leader for the rest of the defense to follow. Today, we are looking at who some of the top linebackers are in the Class of 2024 as they get ready for one last run in their high school careers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='293302' first='Nylan' last='Brown'], 6'0, 225 pounds, Ben Davis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben Davis' defense is well represented around the top of our class rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='293302' first='Nylan' last='Brown'] earns his spot by being a premiere middle linebacker. Brown is always around the ball, something that you need to be a great linebacker. Last year, Brown accumulated 109 total tackles with 89 solo tackles. Brown recorded eight tackles-for-loss, and he sacked the quarterback a trio of times. He knows how to impact the quarterback as evidenced by his 20 quarterback hurries as a junior. Brown also displayed ball skills and the ability to take the football away. He defended against two passes and forced one fumble and recovered one as well. [player_tooltip player_id='293302' first='Nylan' last='Brown'] is a playmaker, and he has talent around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290334' first='Nehemiah' last='Dau'], 6'0, 210 pounds, Ben Davis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290334' first='Nehemiah' last='Dau']'s 2022 season was limited to only seven appearances, but in those seven, he gave fans and coaches plenty of room for optimism heading into 2023. Dau posted 20 tackles a season ago. He accounted for 15 solo tackles. Like Brown, Dau has displayed an ability to get heat on the quarterback. He recorded eight quarterback pressures last year. Dau added one tackle-for-loss a year ago. With the combination of Brown and Dau back for one more season, Ben Davis could be looking at a breakthrough year in Class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='322439' first='Owen' last='Bright'], 6'0, 200 pounds, Center Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sticking out from the pack in what has become a talent-rich Center Grove program is not an easy proposition. However, [player_tooltip player_id='322439' first='Owen' last='Bright'] has managed to do just that. Bright is coming off a season that saw him record 60 solo tackles. In total, Bright registered 91 solo tackles with an impressive 13 tackles-for-loss. He came up with five sacks. Bright nabbed three interceptions with one pass defense and a pair of forced fumbles. He can also contribute on offense. Bright chipped in with two rushing touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='292309' first='Bradley' last='Gibson'], 6'1, 196 pounds, Hobart</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up is [player_tooltip player_id='292309' first='Bradley' last='Gibson'] from Hobart. Gibson plays a leading role for the Brickies' defense. Gibson reached the triple digits in total tackles as a junior. He secured 103 stops in total and 78 individually. Gibson can be a disruptive linebacker. He can get into the backfield and blow up plays. Gibson sacked the quarterback on four occasion. Double that and you get the number of tackles-for-loss that he had. Gibson also provided one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='322427' first='Braydon' last='Durham'], 6'0, 200 pounds, Heritage Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Any team searching for a linebacker who is not afraid to be aggressive and attack downhill needs to look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='322427' first='Braydon' last='Durham']. The Heritage Hills star gives all-out effort consistently from his outside linebacker position. Durham plays the run well and displays great pursuit on each play. He does well matching running backs stride-for-stride to the outside. As a junior, Durham posted 97 total tackles with 45 being solo. He accrued four tackles-for-loss and one sack. Durham defended against one pass, recovered one fumble and forced a fumble to boot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='334065' first='Ralph' last='Rogers'], 6'0, 190 pounds, Bloomington South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='334065' first='Ralph' last='Rogers'] serves as the centerpiece of Bloomington South's defense. He fills the role very well, being a tackling machine. Rogers will be looking to build further off a season where he totaled 111 tackles. He had 60 solo tackles. Rogers proved that he can get in the backfield and make plays. He posted ten tackles-for-loss. He hurried the quarterback twice. Additionally, Rogers reeled in a pair of interceptions, and he defended against one pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='322403' first='Eli' last='Arthur'], 6'1, 185 pounds, Pendleton Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out today's article is [player_tooltip player_id='322403' first='Eli' last='Arthur']. The leader of the Pendleton Heights defense, Arthur will be looking for big things in 2023. Arthur secured 60 total and 35 solo tackles. Arthur finished the season with half-a-dozen tackles-for-loss and a dozen sacks. He tallied one each in the interceptions, passes defensed, fumble recoveries and forced fumble categories. He returned his interception for a touchdown. Arthur can be a contributor on the offensive side of the ball as well. He carried the ball 12 times for 46 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->