Over-Performing Underclassmen Pt. 4: Linebackers

Linebackers may not always be the flashy playmakers, but they're the heart of a defense, and this season, some underclassmen are stepping up in a big way. Across the state, young linebackers are taking on veteran responsibilities — defending the pass, shutting down the run, and showing a natural knack for reading offenses that's well beyond their years.   In Part 4 of our "Over-Performing Underclassmen" series, we're spotlighting a handful of young linebackers who are catching the eye of both fans and coaches. They might lack experience, but they're making up for it with hard-hitting performances and instinctive play. Let's dive into the emerging stars at the linebacker position and see who's making waves early in their careers.    Earning himself a Week 11 Ed Doherty Medallion with a 17-tackle two-TFL performance in a win over Bradshaw Mountain, [player_tooltip player_id='1603412' first='Brody' last='Hanna'] is putting together a really impressive sophomore year at linebacker. Playing in the heart of Prescott's defense, he's leading the team in both tackles and tackles for loss — averaging 11 tackles per game and adding 11 tackles for loss. Hanna does an excellent job fighting off blocks and is always moving towards the ball. Allowing the flow of the offense to lead him to the ball carrier, his relentless pursuit is a huge reason why he has 86 total tackles through eight games.     Playing as a sophomore on a talented Chandler defense, [player_tooltip player_id='677852' first='Iona' last='Kupu'] currently leads the Wolves in tackles. His instincts and lack of hesitation to act on them make him an incredible run stuffer. Whether it be filling gaps the moment they develop in front of him or working down the line of scrimmage and powering through the trenches to make a play on the other side, Kupu goes everywhere the running back does. A versatile linebacker, he's not only good against the run, but the '27 backer also has an interception and two passes defensed in eight games. With years of development left before his high school career is over, Kupu is a player coaches should keep a close eye on.     Doubling as a wideout who averages 15 yards per reception, [player_tooltip player_id='1325908' first='Gregory' last='Mckinstry III'] does a nice job in coverage and can come down with just about anything he can get his hands on. His long arms help him both in defending the pass, and easily getting off blocks to attack the ball carrier. With 51 tackles on the year, there's no doubt that he has a high football IQ that's only growing with experience. His instincts and physicality make him a playmaker that offenses have to account for on every snap.     [player_tooltip player_id='1603417' first='London' last='Olsen'] is a consistent linebacker who's really established his presence in the heart of Scottsdale Christian's defense. Racking up 51 tackles in nine games, he does a nice job of filling running lanes whenever he sees them open up. Olsen has also shown a knack for getting into the backfield, especially in his standout game against Valley Lutheran, where he notched a massive 4.5 sacks in a single night. That dominant performance, along with his overall ability to track the ball and make key stops, has made him one of the most dependable playmakers on this Scottsdale Christian squad.     [player_tooltip player_id='1603420' first='Jaxxon' last='Alvarez'] does everything for an 8-1 Bisbee team. With 491 all-purpose yards so far this season, he's a real threat any time he gets the ball in his hands. Finding a multitude of ways to make that happen, he has a nice mix of 33 carries and 24 receptions. On the defensive end, Alvarez is all over the field. He currently had 85 tackles as just a sophomore and a whopping four interceptions to go along with it; further showing just how good his skills around the ball are. College coaches are going to want to get in early on this playmaker, who's proving he can impact the game in every phase.     Standing at 6'0" and weighing in at 190 pounds, Jeremiah Huerta-Perez has been a force in the heart of Mohave's defense as just a sophomore. This young linebacker is off to an impressive start, with 38 total tackles and a remarkable 9 tackles for loss this season. Huerta-Perez's ability to get into the backfield is evident through his five sacks on the year, consistently making it tough for opposing offenses to get anything going. His relentless pursuit and playmaking skills are turning heads, and with six hurries to go with two pass deflections, he's proving he can be a really disruptive pass rusher.

Linebackers may not always be the flashy playmakers, but they're the heart of a defense, and this season, some underclassmen are stepping up in a big way. Across the state, young linebackers are taking on veteran responsibilities — defending the pass, shutting down the run, and showing a natural knack for reading offenses that's well beyond their years.