Under The Radar 2025 Middle Georgia Linebackers To Know
If you play in Middle Georgia, or any rural town in Georgia, it’s easy to be over-looked. It’s never easy to stand out early at small-town programs, but if you can play, you’ll be noticed at some point. There are…
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Continue ReadingIf you play in Middle Georgia, or any rural town in Georgia, it’s easy to be over-looked. It’s never easy to stand out early at small-town programs, but if you can play, you’ll be noticed at some point.
There are plenty of Middle Georgia linebackers who had big sophomore seasons last year and could have breakout 2023 junior season next fall.
Who are they? Let’s take a look…
Zelin Pollard – Howard
One of the more productive 2025 linebackers in Macon last year, Pollard was outstanding as a sophomore last year and ended the season as the leading tackler across the state for the entire 2025 class. An active linebacker with great instincts for his age and decent size at 6-foot-1 195-pounds, Pollard came to play every Friday night and lit up the stat sheet on a weekly basis. Pollard was as consistent as it gets last year and was one of the most productive linebackers not only in Macon last year, but across Middle Georgia in all classifications. The playmaking defender 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 just under 12 tackles per game. He also added a couple of interceptions and added one sack throughout his outstanding sophomore season. Look for him to see some serious D1 interest and possible offers come his way down the road as he attempts to have a breakout junior season in 2023.
Ja’darrian Carswell – Johnson County
A rangy linebacker with impressive closing speed, Carswell is a talented under the radar linebacker who brings length and athleticism to Johnson County’s defense. The small-town defender plays with aggression and has a knack for making secure tackles in open space. He’s reliable in coverage as well, showing the ability to make an impact in a lot of different ways. Consistently one of the best players on the field last year, Carswell flashed on a regular basis and was a tackling machine for someone his age. Just a sophomore, Carswell already looks like an D1 caliber-prospect and could see some real interest come his way with an even bigger junior season. As a sophomore last season, the Wrightsville native made 79 tackles, 10 TFLs and one long INT that was returned back 76 yards. He’ll be known as one of the top defenders in the area as a junior next season and a true under the radar linebacker to know in the 2023 class.
Jaise Davis – Mary Persons
One of the hardest-hitting sophomore linebackers in Middle Georgia, Davis is a physical middle linebacker with natural instincts and the ability to strike the ball-carrier with some power. A physically gifted second year player at 6-foot-0 200-pounds, Davis is a force in the middle of the Mary Persons defender and made his presence known early in his sophomore season. He can stiff out running plays early on and has no problem getting physical down in the trenches. When he hits you, you’re going backwards. And if you don’t hold the ball with two hands, there’s a good chance Davis is going to knock the ball out. He plays hard, gives great effort, and knows how to tackle. As a sophomore last season, Davis made 75 tackles, proving to be one of the more productive sophomore linebackers in the area. Look for him to have an even bigger junior season next fall.