Top Under The Radar 7A Linebackers To Know

Matt DeBary March 23, 2023 @ 12:25 PM

As we all know, 7A football in Georgia is as good as it gets across the country. It's home to some of the nation's top programs and players in the state, but there are still plenty of under the radar linebackers who are waiting to see their recruitment take off. Here are three under the radar linebackers in 7A who deserve more recognition.   Braylon Hansbrough - Hillgrove   2022 wasn't exactly a great year for Hillgrove football, but they did have a bright spot at linebacker in junior Braylon Hansbrough. A tough, instinctive linebacker who can blow up plays in the run game. Hansbrough is a dynamic middle linebacker who came to play every Friday night against quality 7A Cobb County defenses. Playing in an area loaded with talent, the Hillgrove defender is a quick, compact linebacker at 6-foot-0 and close to 210-pounds. He knows how to play physical and can deliver a sound hit on the ball carrier. He wraps up well and can chase down the ball-carrier trying to get to the outside. Hansbrough was one of the more productive 2024 linebackers in Cobb County last year, making 97 total tackles, 15 TFLs, and an impressive 6.5 sacks. He can stop the run inside, but his ability to time the snap and blitz from the middle makes it tough for opposing quarterbacks to escape the pocket. Playing in nine games last year according to Max Preps, Hansbrough made 10+ tackles in seven different games and made a tackle behind the line of scrimmage in every game he played in last year. Look for him to load up the defensive stat sheet next fall as a senior.   Jack Lawson – Milton   An impressive under the radar linebacker in Fulton County at powerhouse Milton High School, Lawson had a breakout junior season on the stat sheet last fall, and proved weekly that he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. In 14 games this past season, the versatile 6-foot-1 185-pounder was a tackling machine, making 142 tackles and 10 TFLs in impressive fashion. Lawson brings a great motor, the ability to rush the quarterback, and knows how to deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier. He's as consistent as it gets, averaging about 10 tackles per game last fall. He excelled against the run, but he also showed promise in coverage, breaking up six passes on the season. He helped lead a terrific Milton defense throughout the season and will be one of the leaders next year as a senior. He's coming off a breakout junior season where he was named 2nd-team All-Region and still has his best football ahead of him. With a strong off-season, Lawson could see some D1 interest come his way down the road.   [player_tooltip player_id='516129' first='Grayson' last='Hodges'] - North Cobb   One of the more consistent linebackers in Cobb County and easily one of the more underrated linebackers in 7A, Hodges was a productive linebacker who consistently does his job every play. At 5-foot-11 210-pounds, Hodges understands his role and knows how to make plays on a weekly basis. He's a natural defender and plays like the game comes easy to him. A 1st Team All Region performer last year, Hodges was one of the top performers on a talented North Cobb defense. He's quick, has a nose for the football, and made tackle after tackle all season long. In total, Hodges made 147 total tackles, 8 TFLS, and 5 sacks. A true difference maker on defense, Hodges showed last year why he should be considered one of the top returning linebackers in all of Cobb County next fall. As good as he was last year as a junior, look for him to have a dominant senior season for the Warriors in 2023. 107 solo.

As we all know, 7A football in Georgia is as good as it gets across the country. It's home to some of the nation's top programs and players in the state, but there are still plenty of under the radar linebackers who are waiting to see their recruitment take off. Here are three under the radar linebackers in 7A who deserve more recognition.