Midseason 2025 Linebacker Check-In

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few weeks ago, I checked in on the juniors midway through the season. Now I'm working on the senior class. I started with the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/midseason-2025-quarterback-check-in/">quarterbacks</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/midseason-2025-running-back-check-in/">running backs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/midseason-2025-wide-receiver-check-in/">wide receivers</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/midseason-2025-defensive-line-check-in/">defensive linemen</a>,&nbsp;so now it's time to check out the linebackers. I'll check in on the top three linebackers in our 2025 rankings, evaluate a few more who have had strong starts to the season and then list a few more who we've heard good things about that we hope to evaluate soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midseason Check-In: 2025 Linebackers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706dcd496a43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alston has operated primarily as a 3-4 edge rusher in high school, but he has played a bit more this season as an off-ball linebacker in anticipation of his move to South Carolina who has him on the board in that role. As an edge rusher, he's quick and strong and that's the athletic profile the Gamecocks are projecting here. Every time he's asked to do something new, he picks it up with relative ease and that's an encouraging sign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196002"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706e02f68336"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watson, too, plays a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker role and excels at coming off the edge, especially in the running game. It doesn't take him much time at all to get up to full speed, and that really helps when he's chasing down ball-carriers down from the back side. We've listed him as a linebacker and with the way defenses are evolving, it won't be hard for him to find a role at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["604378"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706e02f6837e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deloatch is unfortunately sidelined with an injury this season but that doesn't mean he hasn't been a vocal team leader. He's locked in with Rutgers and the Scarlet Knights are getting a hard-nosed, tough football player who always seems to be around the football. Whether he's playing linebacker, safety, or special teams, Deloatch always stands out. He's one of the rare guys who really doesn't need to circle himself on film. You just know he's going to make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Linebackers Impressing Early</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Obviously, we're paying attention to what prospects outside of the top three are doing. Here are a few guys further down the rankings who are really impressing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396922"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706e4108346a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's exciting to see Barger recognized with a Shrine Bowl appointment, because on a defense full of future Power Four superstars, he's the engine that makes it all go. Even when he was much smaller several years ago, his instincts were too goo to keep him off the field. He's the Swiss Army Knife that Weddington defense always seems to have and that's helped him become an excellent Division 1 prospect in his own right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1277001"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706f6b757fc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lipscomb does a little bit of everything for Kings Mountain, and not just in the "hybrid linebacker" sense. He plays everything from slot defender to goal line defensive tackle to defensive end to linebacker. He's likely an off-ball linebacker at the next level, but no matter where he lines up, he's a huge playmaker. He looks like a steal for Davidson and a guy who is probably going to move up our rankings at the </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["326137"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706f9af20429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laughlin is a bit undersized, but still plays well in a traditional linebacker role. He excels at sifting through the blocking to find ball carriers and plays bigger than his size would suggest. He's patient in run defense. He shows good eye discipline in zone coverage and has a feel for where receivers are going to end up. I like his play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2025 Linebackers Who Have Impressed</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some more guys we've liked early. We've written about some of them recently while others we hope to break down with full scouting reports later this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='693045' first='Ian' last='Coleman'], Butler</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='759842' first='Jamari' last='Farmer'], Mooresville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1083631' first='Sawyer' last='Lowe'], Cleveland</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='759840' first='Cohen' last='Bohanon'], Cuthbertson</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1152774' first='Donavan' last='Frederick'], Seventy-First</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1252773' first='Ryan' last='Connotillo'], Community School of Davidson</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feel like we missed someone? Let me know on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->