Underrated Small-Town Linebackers To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some small-town linebackers to keep an eye on during the 2024 season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323191' first='Reunte' last='Tucker'] - Elbert County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Northwest Georgia native who deserves more attention after a giant sophomore season, Tucker is an athletic 6-foot-1 215-pound defender with the ability to make a big tackle and a play on the football. He loves contact, can deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier, and does a great job of snuffing out the run. He's strong, plays with a physical presence, and knows how to fight off blocks on the way to making a tackle. Tucker was a dependable weapon defensively all year long as he made 87 tackles, two INTs, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. He was a big-play defender who has a knack for finding the football. One of the more productive defenders in the area, Tucker has a chance to have an even bigger season as a junior in 2024. He's a natural linebacker who will only get better and better over the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323195' first='Jake' last='Moss'] - Walnut Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under-the-radar linebacker with a versatile skillset, Moss may not be the biggest or fastest linebacker in the 2026 class, but he plays hard, reacts quickly, and can make plays at both outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and on special teams. He's a max-effort player who loves the games, competes hard and gives it everything he has on every down. He can fight off blocks and consistently found his way to the football. He's a sure-tackler who wraps up and does a good job of delivering a big hit on the ball carrier. The Loganville native was all over the field last year as a sophomore, making 87 tackles, 15 TFLs, three sacks, eight QB hurries, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. He did his job and brought energy to his defense. He was one of the leading 2026 defenders in the area and should be even better as a junior this fall. Look for him to get a new Prep Redzone ranking in the next 2026 update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253865' first='CJ' last='Reece']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cj-reece/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Fannin County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, compact linebacker who excels at stopping the run, Reece is an instinctive defender with a high motor who deserves more recognition after a giant junior season for Fannin County. One of the more productive 2026 linebackers in North Georgia, Reece plays fast and has a knack for shedding blocks and finding his way into the backfield. He reads the run and knows how to attack down-hill or sideline to sideline to chase down the ball-carrier. He can also hold himself when taking on blocks and closing the run lanes between the tackles. He's an active, sure-tackling linebacker who made 94 tackles and 10 TFLs last fall as a sophomore. He has a nose for the football and was one of the more consistent defenders in his class for the 2A classification last year. Look for Reece to have a giant 2024 season as a junior with a chance to light up the stat sheet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->