June 2025 Update: Linebackers to Watch

Tom Tabler June 6, 2024 @ 03:59 AM

Prep Redzone Arkansas has recently updated the class of 2025 prospect rankings. In this article, we are going to shine the spotlight on several linebackers to watch out for this season. We have several new prospects to watch out for over the next couple of months. Each linebacker in this article has the potential to have huge Friday nights this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1158067' first='Ty' last='Menard']-Linebacker-Pocahontas-6'0” 210-Pounds   The Pocahontas linebacker is a prospect that continues to raise his game each time he steps on the field. [player_tooltip player_id='1158067' first='Ty' last='Menard'] makes good use of his instincts and reacts to the play well. Menard uses his quickness to get away from blocks. He gets to and brings down the ball carrier with impressive consistency. Menard is a player that has the quickness to break up the play in the offensive backfield. He disrupts both the running and the passing plays and is a player to watch out for this upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='585569' first='Walter' last='Hicks']-Linebacker-Benton-6'0” 215-Pounds   [player_tooltip player_id='585569' first='Walter' last='Hicks'] is a player that is all over the field for the Benton Panthers. He does a great job of reading the play and getting to the ball carrier. Hicks is always around the ball carrier and can rack up the tackles quickly. He has the ability to get into the offensive backfield and completely disrupt both the passing and rushing attacks. Last season, Hicks racked up over 125 tackles, and I expect him to have an even more impressive season this season. Hicks is a linebacker to watch out for as the summer progresses.   [player_tooltip player_id='858815' first='Kelly' last='Smith']-Linebacker-Little Rock Central-6'4” 220-Pounds   The versatility that [player_tooltip player_id='858815' first='Kelly' last='Smith'] has is impressive. He is a player that has the potential to see playing time on both sides of the ball to close out his high school career. Smith has the speed to get sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball carrier. He has the ability to get away from blocks and bring down the ball carrier. Smith can clog up the rushing lanes and shut down the opponent's rushing attack. Meanwhile, he is a player that can drop back into pass coverage and make plays on the ball. Smith has the potential to have a big season in 2024 for Little Rock Central.   [player_tooltip player_id='1163723' first='Savion' last='Slater']-Linebacker-White Hall-6'4” 190-Pounds   The White Hall linebacker has tremendous versatility. He is a linebacker that can easily drop back into pass coverage. Meanwhile, the White Hall coaches can have him rush the passer coming off of the edge. Slater has great speed, and he uses it well to get free from blocks. He has no trouble getting to and hauling down the ball carrier. Slater is a player that is always around the ball carrier, and he has the potential to have a strong season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1173143' first='Reid' last='Slankard']-Linebacker-Fayetteville-6'3” 205-Pounds   Over the years, the Fayetteville Bulldogs have done an impressive job of producing talented linebackers. Slankard reads the play well and reacts quickly to whether it is a run or a pass. He does a great job of defeating blocks and getting into the offensive backfield. Meanwhile, he has the speed needed to drop back and defend against the pass. He is a prospect that will cause problems for the opposing offenses. Slankard is a player to watch out for this upcoming season.

Prep Redzone Arkansas has recently updated the class of 2025 prospect rankings. In this article, we are going to shine the spotlight on several linebackers to watch out for this season. We have several new prospects to watch out for over the next couple of months. Each linebacker in this article has the potential to have huge Friday nights this fall.