Headhunters: Class of 2025 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers set the tone for a defense with their play, their toughness and physical presence when it's go time. The days of the run stopping only linebacker are in the past, these ballers have upper level athleticism, they have the skills to play the pass like defensive backs and they can rush the passer to be an agitator to the offensive game plan of their opponent. The Class of 2025 is loaded with playmaking defenders, as we update the PRZ Texas Rankings for this class we spotlight several game changers who turn into <strong>"Headhunters"</strong> when they strap up on Friday nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["281644"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"When Riggins steps off the bus he passes the eye test, he has a stout, chiseled frame with broad shoulders and he has a powerful lower half that enables him to be explosive. Kelvion was apart of the u0022Death Rowu0022 defense that helped South Oak Cliff win two Class 5A Division II titles, where he showed off his versatility by lining up as an edge/outside linebacker with ability to play with his hand in the dirt and come off the corner like a heat seeking missile. Playing fast in space, with the speed to be elite in pass coverage like a defensive back are traits that are present in his game and when Riggins closes in on the ball carrier he is in full u003cstrongu003eu0022Headhunteru0022u003c/strongu003e mode. Riggins is only a junior and has just about every school in the country after him including college football factories Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas and Texas Au0026amp;M. Kelvion is an elite defender who will return for two more years to wreck offensive game plans on Friday nights.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/KelvionR/status/1656027331130019840?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/KelvionR/status/1601728014999752704?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/KelvionR/status/1556015247919562753?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["919321"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Barnes has the skill set of a plug and play type of defender, he can line up at Mike linebacker, come off the edge as a pass rusher and he can run the rock as a top flight running back for Dallas Skyline. Speed kills, Elijah has the explosiveness of an elite sprinter, he plays the game in a different gear from his opponents which enables him to close on ball carriers in u003cstrongu003eu0022HeadHunteru0022u003c/strongu003e mode while he is on the gridiron. Barnes is freakishly athletic, he has a high motor and he plays with excellent leverage understanding how to take on blocks at the point of attack and he makes plays in the backfield routinely. Elijah uses his superb vision to read and diagnose offensive sets quickly and he has a nose for the football. Barnes had monster sophomore season, picking up accolades such as 11-6A Defensive Newcomer of The Year and his active offseason has lead to schools from around the country sending offers his way. Expect big things from Barnes in 2023 as he sets the tone for the Raiders wherever he lines up on the field.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/SKYLINEfb/status/1604832765006028800?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/ElijahBobarnes1/status/1665415790621872128?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["688548"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Windfont has the skill set to make plays from sideline to sideline using his speed to his advantage, he has superb vision that he uses to read, react and diagnose offensive plays quickly. Copelin has active feet that don't get stuck in the mud, he plays with excellent leverage keeping his shoulders square to the ball carrier and when his switch is turned on he gets into u003cstrongu003eu0022Headhunteru0022 u003c/strongu003emode immediately. Windfont has great timing when he blitzes, showing great patience and his high football IQ is evident when you turn on his tape watching his eye discipline at work to fill the hole quickly. Windfont's toolbox is full, he has the skill set that college defensive coordinators covet at the linebacker position and you can expect his offer sheet to reach double digits before the end of the 2023 season.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/CopelinWindfont/status/1669143578835140608?s=20[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/CopelinWindfont/status/1594383134451179525?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c471d8e20b5"} /-->