2025 Rankings: Top Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Illinois recently updated our class of 2025 rankings extending the list from 150 to 300 ranked prospects along with 140+ on the watch list.&nbsp; Now we dive into each position to look at who is the cream of the crop including here in <strong>2025 Rankings: Top Linebackers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299634' first='Christian' last='Pierce'] (Brother Rice – 6'0” 215)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pierce is one of the top linebackers in the class.&nbsp; He has good size and excellent speed to the ball.&nbsp; Takes good angles and blows up running plays in the box.&nbsp; Also can chase sideline to sideline including when the QB is scrambling. Good at getting through traffic.&nbsp; Makes big plays in the backfield and always wraps up.&nbsp; Tips passes and had a few deflections against the pass.&nbsp; Has all the tools you look for in a power 4 linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830241' first='Dominik' last='Hulak'] (IC Catholic – 6'3” 230)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Notre Dame commit has a huge frame at 6'3" 230 pounds.&nbsp; Moves very well for his size with his speed to the ball and relentless pursuit.&nbsp; Accelerates toward the ball carrier and chases plays downfield. Hits with a ton of force and violence!&nbsp; Good athlete all-around that is very discipline with not a lot of wasted movement while taking good angles to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kelyan LaGrant (East St. Louis – 6'3” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This outside linebacker jumps off the tape!&nbsp; He is super explosive laying the hammer down on his tackles.&nbsp; Sheds blocks well getting to the back.&nbsp; Crashes down the line.&nbsp; Can line up at the as an edge rushing the passer with good burst off the line of scrimmage.&nbsp; Technically sound player that is great in pursuit often taking on the initial block and getting off it to get his man.&nbsp; Contributes on special teams as well!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291996' first='Jack' last='Paris'] (Fenwick – 6'3” 210)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid can absolutely fly!&nbsp; He is a vicious hitter that flies around and makes plays all over the field covering a ton of ground. Wraps up, great angles, and has length which helps in him a variety of ways. Can bend the edge getting pressure on QB on the edge and even play some safety when asked. Contributes on special teams blocking punts and in kick coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291998' first='Josh' last='Veldman'] (Lincoln Way West – 6'2” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good size and versatility out of this linebacker.&nbsp; Can play both inside and outside.&nbsp; Really liked how well he pursued as a side to sideline tackler.&nbsp; Attacks downhill vs the run in the box exploding to the ball and wrapping up.&nbsp; Excellent recognition off the snap. Had a pick six on a pass to the TE and is a major contributor on special teams blocking a field goal along with being a force in kick coverage!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831091' first='Drake' last='Mosley'] (O'Fallon – 6'2” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mosley is a 6'2" linebacker that racked up 92 tackles as a junior along with 19 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.&nbsp; Good use of his hands and sheds blocks well.&nbsp; Burst getting into the backfield in the fun game for TFL.&nbsp; Wraps up and seems to always take solid angles.&nbsp; Identifies and reacts quickly.&nbsp; Physical at the point of attack.&nbsp; Can rush on the edge too as he blew up the back on one play getting to the QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831092' first='Carson' last='Cooney'] (Oswego – 6'3” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooney is a linebacker that is very stout against the run. Stands up in the hole and makes the tackles over and over. Punishes the ball carrier with force. Can take on block and still make the tackle. Chase down speed and overall takes excellent angles.&nbsp; Showed flashes against the pass including a nice interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830849' first='James' last='Kingsbury'] (St. Rita – 6'1” 225)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really fun tape to watch from this St. Rita linebacker.&nbsp; As a junior Kingsbury had 92 tackles, 2 interceptions, along with 3.5 sacks on the season.&nbsp; Big and strong frame and has mean intentions when attacking his opponent laying down the hammer.&nbsp; Pursues the ball well, stuffs the hole in the box, takes on blocks while making the tackle and has relentless pursuit.&nbsp; Runs very well for a player of his size.&nbsp; Flashed in pass game with a couple picks and blowing up a screen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471479' first='Kennyan' last='Chandler'] (Kankakee – 6'1” 225)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler jumped off the film at us.&nbsp; The Kankakee linebacker is a strong bodied middle linebacker that lays a thumping on his opponents.&nbsp; Runs very well sideline to sideline.&nbsp; Gets through trash in the box finding the back.&nbsp; Also can drop back in coverage pretty well.&nbsp; Makes impactful plays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->