2025 Linebackers That Could Rise up Our Rankings Fast
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Our 2025 Illinois rankings are officially out! Oliver West has been hard at work for a few weeks now ranking the state’s top rising juniors and I think he did a fantastic job. Well, today I’m looking at the linebacker…
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Continue ReadingOur 2025 Illinois rankings are officially out! Oliver West has been hard at work for a few weeks now ranking the state’s top rising juniors and I think he did a fantastic job. Well, today I’m looking at the linebacker room and which guys in particular I think could rise up our rankings quickly with a big 2023 season. Each of these prospects were varsity starters last fall and proved to be key contributors for their schools. Keep an eye on their development this camp season as we inch closer to the fall.
As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!
Adrian Cooper, 6’1″ 200, Moline
Cooper has played on the ball & off of it, he’s got great closing speed and is a violent block shedder at the point of attack. He’s smooth operating in space & can come to balance and tackle in the open field. He’s got great spacial awareness as a zone dropper and can easily slip second-level blocks.
Kennyan Chandler Kennyan Chandler 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Kankakee | 2025 State IL 6’1″ 225, Kankakee
A tenacious tackler that can step up in the box and stalemate backs in their tracks. Chandler is always around the football, he has a knack for generating turnovers and shows outstanding short-area quickness. He already has a ton of production behind him, totaling 113 tackles to go along with a whopping 26 TFLs last fall.
Emmett Callahan Emmett Callahan 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB St. Ignatius | 2025 State IL 6’1″ 210, St. Ignatius
Callahan has a high football IQ, he scrapes down the line looking to make tackles from the backside and has the body control to make tackles out of awkward body positions. He reads his keys & can trigger almost instantly, he’s quicker than he is fast and can rapidly disengage blockers to make tackles within the box.
Carson Cooney Carson Cooney 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Oswego | 2025 State IL 6’3″ 205, Oswego
Cooney shows proper footwork, he speeds his feet immediately on contact and can fold back into the box late to make tackles if apexed out. Cooney is not afraid to throw his body around, he knows how to set up blockers with his change of direction and does a good job rolling his hips & tackling on a rise.
Gavin Burt Gavin Burt 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Marmion Academy | 2025 State IL 6’1″ 225, Marmion
Burt plays downhill, he is consistently disruptive behind the line of scrimmage and has a patient technician-like style of play. He accelerates through tackle attempts, has solid instincts, and plays with a very strong base.