Unheralded Junior Linebackers to Watch for This Fall

Jake Lemming

August 20, 2024 @ 01:31 PM

If you're looking for hard-hitting, blue-collar linebackers, you came to the right place my friend. Today's featured prospects were all varsity contributors as sophomores and are currently lightly recruited. As far as I know, there aren't any prospects listed here with any offers. That could change though in the blink of an eye with a big junior season.   As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Sam Jones, 6" 205, Legacy Christian Academy   Impressive production totaling 100 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 2023. On tape, he closes ground in a hurry, takes proper angles to the tackle, and is as aggressive as they come. He's a thumper on contact and can spot an open gap, shoot it, and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.   Jeremy Alo-Perry, 6" 190, Jordan   Jeremy will stun and stall backs right in their tracks, his legs never stop churning, he hits on a rise and wants to make backs think twice before running between the tackles. He's got some serious pop behind him and plays with absolutely no fear. Based on his size, he'll likely kick up to the third level in college.   Tate Broaddus, 6'3" 215, Davenport   Tate could have some potential as an edge player at the next level but is also extremely effective as an inside linebacker. He's got the lateral quickness to defeat blocks at the second level, he plays downhill with a bit of an edge and knows how to use the gator roll tackle when a ball carrier has him out-leveraged.   [player_tooltip player_id='1198131' first='Nico' last='Viveros'] 6'3" 220, Lone Star   Nico has good size for the position, he's got quick read & react skills, and can come to balance & make plays in space. He's physical, speeds his feet on contact, and has the effort to make plays from the backside on run away.   Cole Flanagan, 6'1" 205, College Station   Cole has terrific closing speed once he gets a ball carrier in his sights, he can make difficult 1 on 1 tackles within the box and does a good job staying on the back hip when flowing from the backside. He's tough, dependable, has good body control, and is highly effective as a quarterback spy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1634701' first='Ayden' last='Combs'], 6'2" 210, Cypress Ranch   Ayden is physical when taking on blocks at the point of attack and has a punch that can generate knockback on his opponent. He has no issues playing in space as an apex defender, he's got some disruptive tendencies that come to life in the run game and could be a core four special teamer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1652943' first='Jeremiah' last='Smith'], 6" 210, Katy   He's an instinctive zone dropper that also rockets in as a rusher and makes backs look silly in pass protection. He's got a high motor, he's highly effective against both the run and pass, and can generate turnovers in a multitude of ways. A playmaker who doesn't need to come off the field on third down.   Other Names to Watch   Tommy Baker, 6'2" 225, Pearland   [player_tooltip player_id='724855' first='Tatum' last='Evans'] 6'1" 215, Grapevine

If you're looking for hard-hitting, blue-collar linebackers, you came to the right place my friend. Today's featured prospects were all varsity contributors as sophomores and are currently lightly recruited. As far as I know, there aren't any prospects listed here with any offers. That could change though in the blink of an eye with a big junior season.