2024 Rankings: Linebacker Spotlight

<!-- 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>The latest 2024 rankings on Prep Redzone Oklahoma were released on Monday with the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 125 for the state's 2024 class</a></strong>. Throughout the week, we've been breaking down prospects throughout the rankings. From stock risers and newcomers to breakdowns by positions, its been a busy week! So keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the week for more on the 2024 class. In this post, we're putting a spotlight on some of the top linebackers in the state's 2024 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"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":"We're kicking off this breakdown with Woodland's [player_tooltip player_id='189939' first='Jackson' last='Rhodes'], who might be flying under the radar as a small school standout. Rhodes still belongs in the group of top linebackers in the 2024 class. The physical backer passes the eye test as he's physically impressive and then you look at the production he's had on the field over the last few seasons and there's another reason why he belongs. Rhodes was returning to the field in 2022 following a knee injury and you wouldn't guess that with how he played in all three phases. That's what you get with some of the small school programs as they use their best athlete as much as possible and that best athlete was Rhodes. It's not often you see a linebacker returning kicks but Rhodes did it and did it well. He's a long and rangy linebacker that just has a nose for the football and making big plays. Rhodes is must-watch prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["110746"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Our next linebacker prospect is Booker T Washington's [player_tooltip player_id='110746' first='Jayden' last='Oates'] and he's another one that we've seen grow into a very productive role on Fridays. Oates lines up on the outside and does a really good job of getting after the quarterback. That's the first thing that stands out when you throw on his tape and it's immediate as well. Oates got after the quarterback in their meeting with eventual state champion Stillwater. And even though he was losing the size battle against the opposing offensive tackle, Oates was too quick and used his speed to get into the backfield and that was the case throughout the season as well. Oates is probably a little undersized to be an outside linebacker at the next level when it comes to the highest level but he could absolutely transition into an inside linebacker. Oates has put together some really strong field and the more eyes get on it, the more he should blow up this offseason.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["110751"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"During this ranking update, this was one of the hardest evaluations in the state's 2024 class. On one hand, Jenks linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='110751' first='Jett' last='Calmus'] is one of the top guys at the position. On the other hand, Calmus missed basically his entire junior season with a season-ending injury. So it's tough to compare Calmus to some of the other linebackers in this class simply from a performance on the field perspective. But we still think Calmus belongs and it's only a matter of time before he not only gets back on the field and returns to full strength, but his recruitment should explode this summer. Calmus was primed for a big junior season before the injury and he should return to form this spring and summer. The Trojans are going to look to Calmus to replace some very productive linebackers in the 2023 class and he should not only be able to replace that productivity but he should climb the 2024 ranks.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["487628"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Holding to the top spot for linebackers in this latest update is Lawton Eisenhower's [player_tooltip player_id='487628' first='Kingston' last='Tito'] and it's hard not to be impressed with Tito after his junior season. You throw on the tape and you see a prospect who flies all over the field and he can move for a big man. At 6'2 and over 200 pounds with some very impressive numbers in the weight room, Tito primarily lined up as an outside guy coming off the edge. We see that frame, combined with his athleticism and strength and see an outstanding inside linebacker prospect who can control the middle of the field. He has the frame and strength to come up and smash the running game. But he also has the athleticism and quickness to move around and go sideline to sideline. And similar to a few other prospects on this breakdown, its hard not to be impressed with the motor that Tito plays with as it never really slows down.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["110748"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Arguably the most productive linebacker in the state's 2024 class is Victory Christian's [player_tooltip player_id='110748' first='Teyton' last='Chandler'] after he racked up big numbers on the defensive side of the ball and earned All State honors. Chandler is a tackling machine and just knows how to get to the ball. It's impressive to see what he's already done in the first few seasons of his career and while we don't know what the career records look like at Victory Christian, it's hard to imagine Chandler won't be at the top for career tackles in school history. The Conquerors have also used the athletic Chandler on the offensive side of the ball but we like him as a middle or inside linebacker at the next level. Based on his size and production, Chandler will probably break out as a prospect this summer and fall and he's going to see his recruitment get very busy. Chandler is another prospect we've watched for a little over a year now.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d2d741400a6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->