2025’s Up Next: Linebackers to Watch in 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are diving into the class of 2025 for each position group. With the completion of full film evaluation over their 2023 season, I was truly impressed with these prospects. Now, here are five linebackers to watch this upcoming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739078"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Foot-1u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e225 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2025u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernHamburg's u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003ePeyton Sellersu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e dominates in the running game, attacking blockers head on and making plays in the backfield. Solid footwork, attacking downhill with leverage. Has a great feel for zone coverage, keeping his eyes in the backfield while quickly reading and reacting. His frame, physicalness and IQ is ideal for the next level, and I expect another big year from Sellers.rnrnNote – 3.5 GPA / 4.6 40","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cadbbf508f1"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/peyton2246/status/1724480924539036146","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/peyton2246/status/1724480924539036146 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["585569"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e220 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2025u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernBenton's [player_tooltip player_id='585569' first='Walter' last='Hicks'] displays a relentless pursuit sideline-to-sideline. His quick first step read, allows him to diagnose the play and then attack downhill in run defense. Great at containing plays, forcing them to stay inside allowing him or his teammates to make a play. Consistent open field tackler. Good at zoning the field, keeping everything underneath. Expecting another huge year in 2024rnrn'23 Stats: 104 Tackles - 11 Sacks - 2 FR TD's - 1 FF u0026amp; 14 TFL'srnrnNote - 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cadbbf50967"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/WalterHicks2025/status/1749960163233009803","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WalterHicks2025/status/1749960163233009803 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["507120"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e225 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2025u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernLittle Rock Mills [player_tooltip player_id='507120' first='Zion' last='Smith'] showcases quick diagnostic skills. His read and react ability are impressive, displaying his speed and power when attacking downhill. Demonstrates good feel in zone coverage, keeping things underneath while making a play on the ball. His traits and versatility would allow him to play edge as well if needed. Excited to watch this athlete play in 2024.rnrnNote: Multi-Position Athlete","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cadbbf509c8"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ZIONSMITH_27/status/1735364804569616758","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZIONSMITH_27/status/1735364804569616758 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509959"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e210 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2025u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernGentry's [player_tooltip player_id='509959' first='Bennett' last='Roberts'] has an impressive sideline-to-sideline motor. Displaying his work ethic and showcasing his quickness and technique to fight through blocks. Good consistent tackler while being a true disruptor in the passing game. Great read and react ability at all areas of the game. Don't be shocked if you hear his name mentioned across the state after 2024.rnrn'23 Stats: 142 tackles (74 solo) 7 TFL's, 5 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 3 FF and 1 INT.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cadbbf50a25"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Bennett84720889/status/1724985471401374156","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Bennett84720889/status/1724985471401374156 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823959"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-8u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e185 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLinebackeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2025u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernPulaski Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='823959' first='Kaden' last='Nash'] plays with a high motor, sideline to sideline ability. Hard nose, consistent tackler while displaying good read and react ability. Good feel in zone coverage, being a disruptor at all levels of the field. With his work ethic and consistency, I expect dominance throughout 2024.rnrnNote – 3.4 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cadbbf50a7f"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kaden_Nash2007/status/1747767633489911839","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kaden_Nash2007/status/1747767633489911839 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->