Tackling Titans of Arizona’s 2025 Class: Who’s Leading the Pack?
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Arizona’s high school football scene is overflowing with talent, and with offenses racking up points like never before, a solid defense has become more vital than ever. As the class of ’25 gears up for their final high school season,…
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Continue ReadingArizona’s high school football scene is overflowing with talent, and with offenses racking up points like never before, a solid defense has become more vital than ever. As the class of ’25 gears up for their final high school season, it’s time to shine a light on the defensive players who’ve stood out. Here are the five leading tacklers from the class of 2025 across Arizona, ready to make a mark in their senior year.
Caleb Randall Caleb Randall 5’9″ | 165 lbs | LB Scottsdale Christian | 2025 State AZ , linebacker for Scottsdale Christian, lead the entire state of Arizona in tackles in just his Junior year. On top of that, he was one of just three players in the state to notch over 100 solo tackles on the season. When throwing on the tape, he shows great rhythm working through the offensive line. He does a great job squeezing his way through the gaps as they develop to meet the ball carrier. He’s also very physical for a smaller player – listed at 5’9”. Randall’s powerful base allows him to power through tackles. Rarely will you ever see him get pushed back through a tackle. He does a really nice job keeping his momentum going forward at all times. In pass coverage he’s quick and efficient; making sure he plays smart and doesn’t get deceived by anything. Randall has clear instincts for the position, his reactions are as fast as they are smooth.
Highlights
Rocky Stallworth Rocky Stallworth 6’0″ | 170 lbs | LB Yuma Catholic | 2025 State AZ finished last season with 163 total tackles, and is clearly a very refined linebacker. Technically sound in every aspect of his game, he makes it look effortless on the field. Stallworth consistently makes great reads, which end up leading to negative plays for the opposing offense. As a sound tackler, it’s hard to get away from him once he has you within reach. He shows terrific burst in coverage and it allows him to stick with receivers for a while when he needs to. Seeing him covering passes shows just how versatile a player he can be. Where he really stands out is his physicality; Stallworth is an incredibly powerful player who’s not afraid to sacrifice his body to make a big play for his defense. Already viewed as a leader on a very stout Yuma Catholic defense, Stallworth is set up for a stand-out senior season.
Thaine Cook
Thaine Cook
Thaine Cook, the only other player on this list to reach over 100 solo tackles, flies all over the field. His long strides allow him to close gaps in the blink of an eye, and he’s a strong tackler in the open field. His long arms get a grip around the ball carrier and there’s seemingly no escape. Cook has great reactions in pass coverage and pairing that with his speed allows him to cover massive parts of the field by himself. A player who also gets some touches out of the backfield on offense, his agility really shines with the ball in his hands. That doesn’t mean he can’t lower his shoulder for extra yards when he needs to. Cook’s game is certainly developing and with an offseason of work, he could become one of the top linebackers in the state.
Of this star-studded group of tacklers, Beckham Barney Beckham Barney 6’3″ | 205 lbs | LB Mesa-Mountain View | 2025 State AZ led them all in both sacks and tackles for loss. The Mountain View linebacker does an excellent job timing his blitzes, which certainly helps him to get into the backfield. When he’s coming off the edge, he shows a great ability to quickly disengage with the blocker and attack the ball. Barney also has a lightning-quick first step to help ensure they aren’t able to get away. In coverage, he’s very good at reading the quarterback while, for the most part, keeping a feel for where the receivers are around him. The game seems to just flow naturally for Barney; he follows the play with the poise of a very mature linebacker. With such good lateral quickness, even running plays away from him isn’t enough to stop him from getting there. He’s a hard-hitting and physical player who shows pretty good hands on the offensive side of the ball. Listed at 6’3” and 205 pounds, Barney has all the physical tools to be an effective linebacker at the next level.
Spencer Anthony
Spencer Anthony
Spencer Anthony has a natural feel for the linebacker position. His instincts are incredibly impressive and stand out in multiple facets of his game. Not being the biggest linebacker, that doesn’t stop him from being one of the most physical. Anthony is always willing to take on lead blocks with no hesitation and does a great job fighting through them to disrupt the play. Beyond his impressive tally of official tackles, he’s able to consistently impact plays beyond that by clogging lanes to reroute running backs. Anthony shows those great instincts in pass coverage as well; with decent speed, he’s able to stick closely when he has to. He’s also a very fundamentally sound backer when he’s trying to break into the backfield, showing excellent use of his hands to fight off blocks. With his uncanny ability to be everywhere on the field and a toughness that defies his size, Spencer Anthony is a prospect to watch for the 2024 season.