Top 10 Linebackers of the 2024 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's linebacking group is as deep a group as ever with double digit players having the skill set and frame to play at a high level post high school. Today, we will be diving into our top 10 backers of the 2024 class after our most recent rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["139603"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers: u003c/strongu003eOle Miss, Mississippi State, Memphis, Arkansas State, Southern MissrnrnA standout backer since his freshman year, [player_tooltip player_id='139603' first='Fred' last='Clark'] has been the top player at his position for a while now. The rising senior has a special skill set both against the run and pass that make him a prospect many schools around the south east are after. Clark does a great job at moving in space, showing little stiffness when running sideline to sideline. He is a natural run stuffer who has the athleticism to carry vertical routes and play out in space on passing downs. It's hard to find a better pure tackler in the state regardless of position as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c34c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["616692"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffersu003c/strongu003e: Ole Miss, Georgia Southern, Southeast MissourirnrnThere may not be a more athletic linebacker in the class than Tupelo's [player_tooltip player_id='616692' first='Tristan' last='Jernigan']. The rising senior put up a phenomenal year of tape and was a big factor in the dominant Golden Wave defense of 2022. Jernigan stands at 6'2u0022 220 but has the athleticism of a defensive back type player. This guy's closing speed is just off the charts. Jernigan does a great job at quickly diagnosing the play and breaking in the direction of the ball or ball carrier. Linebackers with his kind of sideline to sideline speed are becoming essential in today's college game, meaning he will have no shortage of options come signing day in December.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c3a1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["346399"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e LibertyrnrnA long outside backer with coverage skills, [player_tooltip player_id='346399' first='Trace' last='Carter'] shows a ton of upside to be a great fit in an odd front base defense at the next level. Carter stands at 6'1u0022 205 but has plenty of room left to continue to fill out. When used in the box, Carter fights off blocks with violent hands and shows the ability to rush the quarterback with a variety of pass rush moves. When he is apexed out in the open, Carter covers hook zones and flats well, using his athleticism to make some big plays on the football in the air. Love what he brings to the table currently and excited for how far he can take his existing skill set.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c3eb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["346333"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e Austin Peay, Co-LinrnrnAt 6'5u0022 250, [player_tooltip player_id='346333' first='Jalen' last='Owens'] is one of the largest linebacker prospects on the board. Last season, Oak Grove used him more as a 5 and 9 tech defensive end, but before that Owens played a true outside backer position. This is a guy that could play a hybrid outside backer position at the next level or continue to develop as a defensive end. Owens plays with great pad level and has a ton of natural burst to him getting off the ball. As naturally strong and tough as he is, Owens does a great job at striking at the point of attack and creating quick separation between himself and offensive linemen in the run game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c433"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["617337"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffersu003c/strongu003e: NonernrnA SAM style linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='617337' first='Alfred' last='Thompkins'] is one of the many new additions to the rankings. Thompkins stands at 6'2u0022 215 and plays an outside backer style role for Holmes County Central. Although he is still continuing to add mass, this is a big kid with a ton of length to him already. Thompkins has good speed off the ball and plays with a ton of fire to him. This is the type of player that will make the ball carrier pay anytime he gets a chance. He runs extremely well sideline to sideline and has good closing speed to make a play in the backfield.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c476"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["282392"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e Arkansas StaternrnAnother Ocean Springs product, [player_tooltip player_id='282392' first='Eric' last='Moore Jr'] is a standout inside backer with a ton of upside to him. Moore is a fundamentally sound player who can quickly read and diagnose his keys in order to create a big play in the backfield. As a tackler, Moore plays with good pad level and rarely misses an open field attempt when the ball carrier is coming his way. He hits with a ton of explosion from his lower body and can create some forced fumbles as a result. As athletic as he is, Moore is also used on coverage and can play variations of zone at a high level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c4b7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["346403"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e NonernrnA dominant presence in 5A last season, [player_tooltip player_id='346403' first='Martrell' last='Wilbourn'] was one of the classifications best during 2022. Wilbourn stands at 6'2u0022 215 and shows plenty of room to continue to fill out. Wilbourn loves contact and actively seeks it out as the game goes on. He has no issues taking on pulling guards or tackles head on to quickly disengaged in order to get to the ball carrier. As a tackler, Wilbourn is disciplined and rarely misses in space. He is used all over the front at Lafayette, but this is the type of guy that could easily play a MIKE style linebacker in a 3-4 at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c4f8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["344145"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e NonernrnWith over 130 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks on the 2022 season, [player_tooltip player_id='344145' first='Amerrien' last='Bailey'] produced at an incredibly high level for Terry last season. The rising senior is an intense, fast, and physical presence in the box. Bailey does a great job at reading his keys and avoiding incoming blockers in order to wreck havoc on ball carriers. Bailey has a really high football IQ and rarely falls for misdirections from the offense - this guy is just always in the right place. With his speed and physicality, Bailey has a ton of upside. It will be exciting to watch how he progresses coming into his senior season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c538"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["617336"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e Arkansas StaternrnA big piece of Starkville's state champion defense, [player_tooltip player_id='617336' first='Jermar' last='McCarter'] finds himself in the rankings for his first time this cycle. McCarter stands at 6'2u0022 220 and plays a SAM linebacker role for the Yellow Jackets. This is another guy who loves contact and being physical in the box. McCarter uses his length and strength to quickly engage with incoming blockers and blow them off their path. As great of a player he is in the box, McCarter also plays really well in space when apexed. He shows the ability to cover shallow zones and quickly transition to make a tackle in the open field on check downs. Really talented player who ought to take a big step entering his senior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c579"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["616699"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eOffers:u003c/strongu003e Arkansas StaternrnOne of 6A's best linebackers, [player_tooltip player_id='616699' first='Taurean' last='Davis'] totaled over 120 tackles during his junior campaign. Davis is a smooth moving athlete who can play in coverage at a really high level. While most backers can usually only cover underneath routes, Davis can easily play vertical routes past 10 yards when asked to do so. Against the run, Davis reads his keys well and knows how to get off blocks with ease. He has a wide variety of moves to disengage with blockers and can create some big hits on the ball carrier in the backfield. Love what he put on tape last season and eager to see how he progresses this offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d846ee3c5ba"} /-->