2025 Linebackers Ready for Break Out Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, the linebacker positions are tasked with reading the play and blowing up the offensive game plan. The Lone Star State has plenty of talented linebackers in the class of 2025 that are ready to explode this season. In this article, we are going to shine a spotlight on a few of the linebackers that are ready to have strong seasons in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Copelin Windfont-Crosby-6'0” 215-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crosby linebacker is a prospect that meets the opposing ball carrier with plenty of force behind the hit. Windfont does a good job of reading the plan and then exploding to the ball carrier. He has the speed to be able to drop back into coverage and cause disruptions for the opposing pass attack. Windfont has the potential to have a breakout season this season for Crosby. He is a prospect to keep an eye on this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Barnes-Dallas Skyline-6'2” 215-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah Barnes is an extremely athletic linebacker that can play all along the defensive front for Skyline. Barnes is a linebacker that does a great job of dropping back into coverage. He reads the opposing quarterback's eyes well and does not hesitate to make a play on the ball. Barnes is a linebacker that takes on blocks aggressively. However, he also does a great job of being able to defeat blocks and get into the offensive backfield. Barnes has the potential for a big 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='432239' first='Parker' last='Meese']-Parish Episcopal-6'2” 220-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Parish Episcopal linebacker is a prospect that does a tremendous job of reading the play and immediately reacting to it. Meese does not have any trouble plugging up the rushing lanes and bringing the ball carrier down. He has the speed to drop back into coverage and stick with opposing tight ends and running backs. However, Meese's ability to get into the backfield and disrupt the rushing attack is what sticks out. Meese is a linebacker that should put up some impressive stats this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923459' first='Elliott' last='Schaper']-Austin Westlake-6'2” 200-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='923459' first='Elliott' last='Schaper'] has impressive quickness, and he uses it well. He punishes opposing ball carriers with how hard he hits. Schaper does a good job of making sure he wraps up the ball carrier. He rarely misses a tackle and has a high motor. Schaper uses his great instincts and speed to move and plug up the rushing lanes that are generated. The Austin Westlake linebacker is another talented defensive prospect that I expect a strong season from in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='919575' first='Riley' last='Pettijohn']-McKinney-6'2” 205-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='919575' first='Riley' last='Pettijohn'] is an aggressive linebacker that can explode to the opposing ball carrier quickly. He does an impressive job of pressuring the quarterback. Opposing offensive linemen have a difficult time accounting for Pettijohn. McKinney has a history of producing talented players on both sides of the ball. Pettijohn is a linebacker that has the ability and potential to see playing time on Saturdays in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->