Under The Radar 5A Linebackers Bound For Big 2024 Season
Which 5A linebackers are bound for giant senior seasons next fall? Prep Redzone takes a look… Jayden Yang – Jefferson An instinctive, hard-hitting defender who lit up running backs on a consistent basis last year, Yang is coming off a…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhich 5A linebackers are bound for giant senior seasons next fall?
Prep Redzone takes a look…
Jayden Yang – Jefferson
An instinctive, hard-hitting defender who lit up running backs on a consistent basis last year, Yang is coming off a very productive 2023 season where he totaled 122 tackles, which is 2nd most among juniors in 5A last year according to MaxPreps. At 5-foot-9 210-pounds, Yang brings a compact frame and a high football IQ. He can sniff out runs before they can get going, and gets-downhill quickly to interrupt the screen game. He runs well and knows how to deliver a sound, physical hit on the ball-carrier. He has a true nose for the football and made a massive impact for a very strong Dragon defense. He wraps up well at the feet and consistently finds a way to get the back on the ground. He also showed that he’s a promising defender in coverage, breaking up multiple passes. His best football is still ahead of him, and he’s bound for a giant 2024 senior season.
Jason Gyebi – Hiram
One of the more underrated linebackers in West Georgia and across the 5A classification, Gyebi is an active, disruptive defender who made an impressive 108 total tackles last year. A playmaking machine and a true difference maker defensively, this 5-foot-10 200-pound forced five fumbles last year and made seven tackles behind the scrimmage. A smart, instinctive player, Gyebi is also an impactful pass-rusher who closes quickly on the blitz. He made one sack and rushed the quarterback 10 more times, while also recovering three fumbles. He’s a football magnet who runs well and tackles with authority. He’s one of the top returning linebackers in the 5A class and should be even better next fall as he leads the Hiram defense in his final season.
Zach Proffitt – McIntosh
An Atlanta-area linebacker who impressed last season for McIntosh, Proffitt is one of the smartest and toughest linebackers you’ll find across that area of metro-Atlanta. He reacts quickly and strikes when he takes on opposing linemen. He shows quick, active hands when shedding blocks and does a good job of wrapping up properly as he takes the ball-carrier to the ground. The 6-foot-0 200-pounder brings good size and muscle, but his ability to react quickly and do his job consistently is why he’s one of the best returning linebackers in 5A. As a junior last year, Proffitt made a respectable 102 tackles and 10 TFLs. He also added two sacks and recovered two fumbles. If he continues to work hard adds more muscle over the next few months, this active defender could light up the stat sheet again in 2024.