Top Class of 2028 Linebackers in Region 1 This Season

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.   These players are all talented and have college-level abilities. Some of these players have a few offers, but all of them have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeper prospects who should all be getting looks for the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always support every player on their journey to playing college football.   1. Ricky Carter, Outside Linebacker – True North Classical Academy   Height/Weight: 6'2", 190 lbs   Stats Summary: 89 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 5 QB hurries, 2 passes defensed   Evaluation: Carter is a high-motor linebacker with an impressive frame and the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His 89 tackles showcase his instincts and ability to read plays effectively. He's disruptive at the line of scrimmage, tallying 8 tackles for loss and 5 QB hurries, while also showing coverage ability with an interception and 2 passes defensed. Carter has the size and athleticism to continue developing into a well-rounded outside linebacker with the ability to rush the passer, defend the run, and drop into coverage.   2. Ahmad Young, Outside Linebacker – St. Edward's High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 66 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 blocked punts, 1 blocked field goal   Evaluation: Young is an athletic playmaker who has a knack for making big plays on defense and special teams. His 3 sacks and 3 tackles for loss show his ability to rush the passer, while his 3 fumble recoveries and 1 interception demonstrate his ability to be around the football. What makes him stand out is his special teams impact, with 2 blocked punts and 1 blocked field goal. He's a fast and aggressive player who can make things happen in all phases of the game. Continued growth in his strength and technique will help him take the next step.   3. Logan Cox, Outside Linebacker – Indian Rocks Christian   Height/Weight: 6'0", 195 lbs   Stats Summary: 61 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INTs, 2 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Logan Cox is an instinctive linebacker with a natural feel for making impact plays. His three interceptions show his ability to read quarterbacks and anticipate routes, making him a valuable asset in pass defense. While he has the size and physicality to be a factor against the run, his 61 tackles and 3 tackles for loss show his ability to shed blocks and attack downhill. His two forced fumbles highlight his aggressive mentality when making contact. With continued development in his pass-rush technique and run fits, Cox has the potential to become a well-rounded defensive leader.   4. Jamaurie Russell, Outside Linebacker – Halifax Academy   Height/Weight: 6'1", 193 lbs   Stats Summary: 60 tackles, 14 TFL, 14 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Russell is a pure pass rusher with a high-level ability to get into the backfield. His 14 sacks and 14 tackles for loss are dominant numbers, showing his explosive first step and relentless motor. He has the size and speed to consistently win against offensive linemen, making him a major disruptor on the edge. His 2 forced fumbles also showcase his ability to finish plays. While he excels in getting to the quarterback, continued improvement in coverage and run defense will make him even more valuable.   5. Brody Dawkins, Linebacker – North Florida Christian   Height/Weight: 5'9", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 46 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 QB hurries   Evaluation: Dawkins is a high-energy linebacker who plays with a lot of intensity. His 5 QB hurries show his ability to create pressure, and he's shown solid production with 46 tackles and 4 TFL. Though he is a bit undersized at 5'9", he makes up for it with quickness and effort. His ability to shoot gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield makes him an asset. Continuing to develop his strength and technique will help him take the next step as he competes against bigger competition.   6. Joseph Bustos, Linebacker – Lakeland Christian   Height/Weight: 5'11", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 42 tackles, 4 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Bustos is a disruptive pass rusher with a solid combination of speed and instincts. His 6.5 sacks show his effectiveness as a blitzer, and his 4 tackles for loss indicate his ability to play in the opponent's backfield. While his tackle total is a bit lower than some of the other linebackers, his ability to pressure quarterbacks makes him a valuable asset. Continuing to refine his run defense and coverage skills will round out his game.   Overall Overview:   This linebacker group features pass-rush specialists like Jamaurie Russell and Joseph Bustos, coverage playmakers like Logan Cox, and high-motor, well-rounded defenders like Ricky Carter and Ahmad Young. Players like Dawkins bring relentless effort, while Young's special teams impact makes him a unique threat. Each player has a specific strength, but overall, this class features several versatile defenders with the potential to grow into elite high school prospects.

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.