2025 Linebackers Stepping Up

With over 60+ linebackers to review in the 2025 rankings it once again reinforces the criticality of the position. To be successful, the top teams know they need to play some of their best athletes at linebacker and that is evident in looking at the tape.   The linebackers that stand out for me are the active ones, the guys with football instincts and read and react skills that enable them to fly to the football and blow things up before they get started. We have quite a few of those in this class spread throughout the state.   In this report we will take a closer look at three ranked linebackers and two who are not ranked yet, but working to change that. These guys have been hard at it, hitting the camp-clinic circuit and focusing their training as they come down the homestretch to the 2024 season.   Let's dive in to the "Mid-Week Five" listed below:   [player_tooltip player_id='1115496' first='Andrew' last='Stotler'], 5'11, 205, LB, Maize, is ranked #29. He is the highest-ranked player in this report and is coming off a good junior season. Although he can play any of the linebacker positions, he stands out as an inside backer who shuts down the opposing team's running game between the tackles. He has great linebacker instincts and read and react skills that enable him to shoot gaps and cause disruption in the backfield. He moves well laterally and has the speed to take down running backs on the perimeter. He has a strong base and aggressive hands that he uses effectively to fight through blockers and heavy traffic to get to the ball. He will be at the 6 Star TheFINALS in Kansas City this Saturday. Get out and see a rising star in the making this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115494' first='Cooper' last='Marx'], 6'1, 225, RB/LB, Andale, is ranked #49. A standout two-way player, he is coming off a strong junior season as a versatile running back and linebacker who also handled punting duties as needed. Although he is an excellent running back who delivers a blow while shredding arm tackles along the way, where he really excels is as an aggressive linebacker leading the defensive attack. As an outside linebacker he has the strength to step up and hit the tackle in the mouth and the speed to cut off running backs before they hit the corner. Working inside he is a punishing hitter who seals off the running game at the line of scrimmage. This kid is getting ready to make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='284529' first='Eli' last='Broxterman'], 6'0, 205, RB/LB, Axtell, is ranked #122. He is coming off a standout junior season as a two-way, multi-positional playmaker who makes things happen on both sides of the ball. On offense he lined up in a variety of positions and piled up 23 TD's and 1,128 yards on only 69 touches for an eye-popping 16.3 yards every time he touched the ball. On defense he plays middle linebacker and using his instincts and top-end read and react skills flies to the ball like a heat-seeking missile. He has a strong base and hands that enables him to work through defenders and with his lateral speed shuts off plays at the line and on the perimeter. Get your popcorn out for this guy, he is getting ready to put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1283041' first='Jack' last='Cook'], 6'1, 215, LB, Blue Valley West, is currently unranked. He is coming off a solid start to his high school career although flying a little bit under the radar so far. He is coming off a good junior season when he gathered up 41 tackles, three sacks, a blocked punt and an interception. Lining up as an outside linebacker he has good size and quick feet and finds the football in a hurry. He is strong enough to bull rush off the edge or collapse down to help stop the run game between the tackles. He has good linebacker instincts, moves well laterally and through traffic, and is quick getting to the ball carrier. He is a good open-field tackler and hits like a sledgehammer. He may be flying low right now but not for long, get out and see a rising star come into his own this fall.   Larkin Turner, 6'0 200, LB, Junction City, is currently unranked. Another unranked linebacker who is coming off a good junior season and is hard at it getting ready to take his game to the next level in 2024. He is a versatile backer who can play inside or outside and can come off the edge as needed. He has a powerful compact frame with strong hands that he uses to keep blockers off his pads and work through traffic. He moves well, with quick feet and good lateral movement, and has good burst getting to the football. He is strong enough to hit offensive tackles in the chops to shut down plays off tackle, or quick enough to fly to the ball and smother sweeps and options running wide. Get out and see a kid getting ready to bust out this fall.   In conclusion, five athletic linebackers getting ready to do some damage this fall. Get out and see them while you still can. And, as always, if you have any questions or comments or know of any players flying under the radar feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

With over 60+ linebackers to review in the 2025 rankings it once again reinforces the criticality of the position. To be successful, the top teams know they need to play some of their best athletes at linebacker and that is evident in looking at the tape.