2023 Rankings Newcomers: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong><em>PaulG30</em> </strong>at checkout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>With a total of 11 new linebackers added to our 2023 PRZ rankings, here are four top tier names to note from the talented group.</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["626272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":641780,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e46a3cd3a1f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Martin is one of the top linebackers in the western region, and is your prototypical new aged athletic cover linebacker that can drop down and smack in the box as well. He held nine total offers from Baylor, Boise State, Central Michigan, Washington State, Fresno State, UNLV, and SJSU among others. Like some of the other top players on this list, he too has already locked in his college choice by signing with the Broncos, and could have a shot at seeing some early action in Boise. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/chasemartin_12/status/1604914660213329921?s=20u0026amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/chasemartin_12/status/1604914660213329921?s=20&amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["626897"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":641782,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e46a3cd3ab3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millard is one of the top edge defenders/outside linebackers across Northern California and an elite pass rusher off the edge that could go back to outside linebacker in college due to his size, movement abilities and range/versatility. He is very deserving to enter our ranks as he was a key piece to one of the top teams in Norcal in both 2021 and 2022. Having multiple PWO opportunities at the power five level, he shut down his recruitment a few weeks ago inking with SJSU. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kade_millard/status/1620189001633390592?s=20u0026amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kade_millard/status/1620189001633390592?s=20&amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["546396"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e46a3cd3b22"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cotton was one of the most highly regarded linebackers in the entire state, and earned himself All-State Honors earlier in the month and was voted his section's DPOY. He is a very active second level defender that is seemingly always around the ball, closes quickly and is a sure tackler in space and the box. He has a long and well built frame, high football IQ and a natural feel for the game. At the next level, he will be a steal for any college program and is one of the more under-recruited prospects the state has to offer at this point in the year. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PhilCotton_11/status/1615397176464797697?s=20u0026amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PhilCotton_11/status/1615397176464797697?s=20&amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["522387"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e46a3cd3b89"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tesch was another one of the most productive linebackers in Southern California during the 2022 season, leading Yorba Linda to a CIF section title and State Bowl Game before falling to Liberty-Bakersfield in week 15. On tape, he shows he can track down ball carriers in the open field, cover the flats and run with tight ends while exploding through contact and extremely physical at the POA with a nose for the ball. Tesch has several college offers from the likes of Black Hills State, Western Colorado, Texas Wesleyan and Cal Lutheran and is someone who can make an impact quickly at the college level. Checking in as the #54 linebacker in the entire state, he had a stellar career for Yorba Linda and is a no brainer to be added to our rankings. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TeschOwen/status/1616132776100782081?s=20u0026amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TeschOwen/status/1616132776100782081?s=20&amp;t=pcpmRhDDkXz7D669mVJLGw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Other new additions to note...</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='400024' first='Nathan' last='Benjamin'], Central-Fresno HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='418729' first='Tyler' last='Davis'], Alhambra HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matt Bertao, Turlock HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469324' first='Troy' last='Mills'], Canyon HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595785' first='David' last='Frausto'], Crawford HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595787' first='David' last='Luera'], Mission Prep HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Ryzk, Pacifica HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->