Small-Town Linebackers Added To 2025 Rankings

Matt DeBary March 6, 2023 @ 07:44 AM

As we've written about before, the 2025 class in Georgia is loaded with impressive defenders, and there are a few linebackers who are starting to see their stock rise.   Which sophomore linebackers are bound for breakout junior season? Prep Redzone has all the details   [player_tooltip player_id='664688' first='Ja'darrian' last='Carswell'] - Johnson County   The new No. 69 player in the latest Prep Redzone rankings, Carswell is an under the radar linebacker from Johnson County who showed toughness and the ability to secure tackle after tackle last season. He fills running lanes with ease between the tackles and knows how to leave a big hit on the ball-carrier. He reacts quickly, is physically put together, and easily one of the top overall defenders in the area. He plays bigger than his size at 6-foot-0 180-pounds and can be lightning quick off the edge. He can set the edge in the run game, forcing opposing running backs inside, and shows the ability to get after the quarterback as well. He had a very productive sophomore season last year, making 79 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He also added one more interception, showing he can make plays against the pass as well. He's a well-rounded linebacker who knows how to tackle, and he's only going to get better and better over the next two seasons. Expect him to have a gigantic junior season in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='664690' first='Bradyn' last='Cook'] – Telfair County   A hard-hitting middle linebacker out of the small town of McRae, Cook is easily without a doubt one of the more underrated linebackers in South Georgia. After a strong sophomore season, he's now ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 121 prospect in the state according to the latest update. A stout linebacker with a compact frame at 6-foot-0 215-pounds, Cook is a versatile linebacker who can play in the middle or on the EDGE. He can devour smaller running backs with ease and send them flying backwards. He can be a down-hill threat as a defender who shoots the gaps and closes running lanes in a hurry. He strikes thee ball carrier with plenty of force, showing that he's one of the toughest, strongest tacklers in the area. He was physically imposing last year, so if he continues to work hard in the weight-room he could have another big season with the possibility of really lighting up the stat sheet. He's one to keep a close eye on next fall with the possibility of some D1 interest coming his way.   [player_tooltip player_id='667497' first='Tavion' last='Wallace'] - Wayne County   Another versatile lineman in South Georgia in the small town of Jesup, Wallace is a playmaking linebacker with some versatility. Traditionally used as an outside linebacker, Wallace can rundown the ball-carrier trying to get to the boundary and showed impressive cover skills as well. He's long, athletic, and has a promising frame at 6-foot-1 200-pounds. He reacts quickly against the run and knows how to naturally shed blocks in pursuit of the running back. He runs well for his size and shows impressive instincts for his age. He can swallow up the ball-carrier with ease and consistently flashes big-play ability from the linebacker position. He shows D1 caliber talent last year as a sophomore and should have a breakout junior season next fall.

As we've written about before, the 2025 class in Georgia is loaded with impressive defenders, and there are a few linebackers who are starting to see their stock rise.