2023 Fab 50: The Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven seniors and a junior led the way on a dynamic year for linebackers in the Palmetto State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These eight proved the sky was the limit with not only their overall production and/or their ability to create high-impact plays. These linebackers in many ways took what they did a year ago and proved it was only the beginning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We believe they fit into two different categories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>TACKLING MACHINES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we have tried mentioning it from time to time, it's worth repeating that PRZ South Carolina still uses the old college metric where assisted tackles count for .5 in the overall ledger (we'll abandon that philosophy for the 2024 season and credit players with the full tackle). We mention that first because it goes to show how bonkers some of these players' numbers were in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For as much else as they did for their teams this season, getting guys to the ground was their biggest impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589056' first='Miles' last='Robinson']</strong> at Oceanside Collegiate, for example. After transferring in from Waccamaw and having a short preseason to prepare, the senior went to work, putting up 104 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, nine sacks, five pass break-ups and a pick six in the Lower State championship game. Under the aforementioned new system, he would have been credited with 131 tackles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the new guidelines, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771063' first='Timir' last='Hickman-Collins']</strong> from Indian Land would have been credited with 155 total tackles, something he'll get an opportunity to explore when he gets to Florida State. His old system figures were still impressive, as were his seven sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. Considering he did all this in just 11 games only further proves how good he was at making opposing offenses earn everything they got.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already mentioned in another post that we think <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins']</strong> at Midland Valley could have one of those types of seasons in 2024 where his tackles numbers are even higher than they are now. And it's not like he was slacking as a junior. This fall, he piled up 119 tackles (187 in soon-to-be updated system), 18 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups, an interception and a forced fumble.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And that brings us to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448983' first='Wilson' last='Nash']</strong> at Camden.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year after he put up 110 tackles (including 95 solo), he bested himself during his senior year by finishing with 158.5, 133 of the solo variety. Under the new guidelines, Nash will have finished his three-year varsity career with 351 total tackles. That basically means that any time an opposing player was on the ground after a play, there was a strong likelihood Nash had something to do with it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>PLAYMAKERS TO THE MAX</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers clearly play different roles, and Crestwood's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448977' first='Seneca' last='Moore']</strong> is a fine example. After taking on a spot in the offensive backfield a few times, it was evident that he was just asked to do more. Then, we look at his production level - 56 total tackles, 24 TFL, 8 sacks, 12 QBH, 6 FF, 1 FR - and we saw something even more important. Moore was put into a position where he could change a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same could be said for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91351' first='Jayden' last='Fuller']</strong> at Silver Bluff. Following his transfer (from Aiken), the Class 4A-turned-Class 2A All-State selection reaped the benefits of playing behind a stellar line and in turn repaid the favor. He ended the season with 99.5 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass break-ups and an interception.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chester's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771067' first='Antonio' last='Hopkins']</strong> wasn't to be trifled with, either. Atop his offensive production, Hopkins has no issue putting together 122.5 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception on defense. When Chester was still playing after most went home, folks started to realize why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And if that's the measuring stick, check out <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142485' first='Jamie' last='Downing']</strong> from Bamberg-Ehrhardt. He easily fit into either linebacker category. With 94 solo tackles and 100 assisted stops (144 by our current standard), he was among the best tackle guys around. But Downing (pictured) also added 35 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and four forced fumbles, meaning he was basically around the ball on every defensive play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->