Rising Stars: 2025 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Jersey continues to produce underclass that gain the spotlight early in their careers. Here are 5 linebackers that are sure to be household names in New Jersey these next two years. As sophomores, they all gained a little buzz. But when this upcoming fall rolls around, their play on the field will speak for itself, and colleges will come knocking on their doors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["341836"],"_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_tooltip player_id='341836' first='Chisom' last='Asonye'] is a menace. Playing for South Brunswick, you'll find Chisom lined up in every location a backer can. When playing as an outside linebacker, he's a master at preventing runners from getting to the sideline. From the inside position, he shoots the gaps, sheds the blocker, and stuffs the hole like a pro. Chisom is a sure tackler, runners have a slim chance of getting away from him once they're in his grasp. Chisom is about to make some noise this next season. I expect him to get looks from highly respectable college programs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a4f6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16173904/638259de5b3cd113c47c0b96' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a542"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["345430"],"_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":"Bringing in 70 tackles and forcing 3 fumbles in 2022, [player_tooltip player_id='345430' first='Basir' last='Shivers'] dominated for Henry Snyder as a sophomore. Another dynamic player able to play outside and inside backer, Basir has a nose for the ball from wherever he is on the field. He shuffles laterally extremely well, putting himself in position to shoot the gaps in the offensive line. With good size already, I would say Basir is the most polished and college ready linebacker in the 2025 class.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a598"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16451589/6367ac97664c850658778151' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a5b8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["624700"],"_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":"Here we have a Pope John product that is an old school big hitter. [player_tooltip player_id='624700' first='Tyler' last='Houser'] played phenomenally as a sophomore, racking up 76 tackles and 3 sacks. For being a bigger linebacker, he moves extremely well and is very agile. He can get into the backfield before anyone sees him coming. Tyler runs downhill to meet the runner, and delivers punishing hits consistently. I am excited to see what the next two years hold for him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a602"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10087627/63a70ac016008203f8e9e223' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a61f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["341841"],"_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":"An outside linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='341841' first='Anthony' last='Casale'] is a future X factor at Don Bosco. A pass game disruptor, he's not only reliable in pass coverage, but is also a dominate blitzer. Another linebacker on this list that can be considered a sure tackler, you can bet a running back won't be able to shake him in the open field. Antony will get more opportunities his junior year to really show how great he can be.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a661"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16644385/638a1a17da514e0c5c190527' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a67c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["218553"],"_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":"Our final  linebacker on this list is [player_tooltip player_id='218553' first='Liam' last='Jones']. He has made a huge impact already as a sophomore.  Playing for Paramus, Liam was able to bring in 81 tackles and 1 sack this past fall. He has great instinct for the ball. He anticipates the play well and is able to bring it to a halt with his tackling skills. Liam plays both sides of the ball, and I see a very positive outlook for him these next two years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a6bd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16142449/63755928b5343a051c5dd34f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642036dd2a6d7"} /-->