Who are the 2024 LBs You Need to Know About?
In this article:
College defenses are always changing due to the way offenses substitute in today’s game. Linebackers must be versatile and able to handle multiple responsibilities; These new roles for college defenders can cause traditional high school linebackers to become undervalued as…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCollege defenses are always changing due to the way offenses substitute in today’s game. Linebackers must be versatile and able to handle multiple responsibilities; These new roles for college defenders can cause traditional high school linebackers to become undervalued as prospects. Let’s take a look at five prospects who will have no trouble fitting into the second level of any college’s defensive scheme.
Jamar Cross
Jamar Cross
Jamar Cross is a talented two-sport athlete out of Lutheran High School in St. Charles. He has been on visits to Lindenwood, Miami of Ohio, and Central Missouri this spring. Jamar also attended game day visits at Lindenwood and Southern Illinois last fall. With more prospect camps to attend this summer, look for Jamar’s first offer to come sooner rather than later.
Jamar’s athleticism and quick feet shows as a solid tackler in space. Power shows as a pass rusher or off the ball linebacker stunning lead blockers at the point of attack. Coaches like Jamar’s versatility between linebacker positions, but good effort and physicality as a blocking fullback highlights the necessary attitude to play in the box at the next level.
Davon Chatman
Davon Chatman
Davon Chatman is a great sized linebacker for today’s game out of McCluer High School. I have been surprised to not see the speedy LB receive more regional attention. Keep an eye on Davon’s recruitment to heat up before his senior season begins.
Davon’s power and good tackling ability shows finishing tackles in space with a violent collision. Quickness and closing speed shows changing direction to pursue ball carriers from a backside outside linebacker alignment. Davon’s next level instincts show decisively attacking the point of attack despite misdirection in the backfield.
Ashton Phillips Ashton Phillips 6’1″ | 220 lbs | LB DeSmet Jesuit | 2024 State MO is a wrestler for DeSmet whose physicality shows on the football field. Ashton received his first offer from Benedictine College this week. Watch for this offer to be the first of many for the versatile defender.
Ashton’s good awareness shows decisively attacking middle screens before they can get past the line of scrimmage. Ashton’s next level quickness and fluid change of direction shows completing tackles for loss on toss plays as an outside linebacker. Coaches like Ashton’s LB versatility that shows in the good instincts he displays decisively attacking the point of attack on power runs.
Elijah Morton Elijah Morton 6’1″ | 210 lbs | LB Hickman | 2024 State MO is now one of many talented prospects for Rock Bridge High School. Elijah went to game day visits at Kansas State and Mizzou last fall according to his Twitter account. He also attended Indiana State’s spring game last month. Watch for Elijah’s recruitment to escalate before his senior season begins.
Elijah’s next level size and strength shows consistently shifting momentum and dropping ball carriers backwards. Elijah shows ideal football intelligence in his awareness and decisiveness versus motion in the run game and play action that fails to make him hesitate in pass coverage. Closing speed shows pressuring the quarterback as an outside linebacker and breaking on intended receivers in zone coverage.
Terrell Porter Terrell Porter 6’0″ | 215 lbs | LB Pattonville | 2024 State MO is a college ready middle linebacker out of Pattonville High School. Terrell has visited Drake, Butler, Indiana State, and Valparaiso this spring. I am surprised to not see any offers on Terrell’s social media; The heavy hitting linebacker is a player coaches should know about before the 2023 season heats up.
Terrell’s speed, length, power, and instincts combine to make him a true MLB prospect. Good change of direction and decisiveness shows attacking the point of attack in run defense. Power and physicality shows delivering contact to ball carriers. Terrell’s experience, closing speed, and hand technique as a blitzer highlight pass rush versatility at the next level.