Top Class of 2028 Region 4 Linebackers 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. Chanavis Chance Jr., Inside Linebacker – Plantation High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 185 lbs   Stats Summary: 87 tackles, 18 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Chance Jr. is a dynamic inside linebacker who thrives on making plays behind the line of scrimmage. His 18 tackles for loss and 6 sacks highlight his ability to shoot gaps and create chaos in the backfield. He plays with great instincts and closing speed, consistently putting himself in position to make impact plays. His forced fumble and pass defensed show his ability to disrupt both the run and passing game. With his aggressive playstyle and high motor, Chance is the type of linebacker who can take over a game with his presence.   2. Mason Beane, Inside Linebacker – [player_tooltip player_id='1640270' first='St.' last='Augustine'] High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 188 lbs   Stats Summary: 61 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed   Evaluation: Beane is a steady presence in the middle of the defense with a nose for the football. His 61 tackles showcase his ability to diagnose plays quickly and wrap up ball carriers. While his primary strength is stopping the run, he also shows discipline in pass coverage, as evidenced by his pass defensed. Beane's instincts and toughness allow him to consistently be around the ball, making him a reliable force in the heart of the defense.   3. Kahleb Crawford, Inside Linebacker – Southeast High   Height/Weight: 5'8", 185 lbs   Stats Summary: 58 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack   Evaluation: Crawford is a quick and aggressive inside linebacker who plays with great energy. His 58 tackles demonstrate his ability to get sideline to sideline, while his 4 tackles for loss and sack show his ability to shoot gaps and create negative plays. Crawford's instincts and motor allow him to stay involved on every snap, making him a key playmaker in the run game. His ability to close on ball carriers and finish plays makes him a valuable asset.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1870897' first='Deshawn' last='Simmons'], Inside Linebacker/Edge – Fort Walton Beach High   Height/Weight: 6'4", 200 lbs   Stats Summary: 56 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 pass defensed   Evaluation: Simmons is a long, athletic defender who can play both inside linebacker and on the edge. His 12 tackles for loss highlight his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, and his 6'4” frame gives him a natural advantage when taking on blockers. Simmons moves well in space and has the ability to rush the passer, as seen with his 2 sacks. With his blend of size, speed, and versatility, he's a game-changer who can affect both the run and pass.   5. Jackson Hedden, Outside Linebacker – St. Petersburg High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 190 lbs   Stats Summary: 42 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Hedden is an athletic outside linebacker with a strong ability to play in space. His interception and pass defensed show his ability to read the quarterback and make plays in coverage, while his sack and tackle for loss highlight his ability to get after the quarterback. Hedden's well-rounded skill set allows him to impact multiple phases of the game, and his ability to force turnovers makes him a valuable asset on defense.   6. Trey Gonzalez, Outside Linebacker – River Ridge High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 175 lbs   Stats Summary: 25 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 4 QB hurries   Evaluation: Gonzalez is an explosive outside linebacker who excels at creating pressure off the edge. His 4 QB hurries and sack showcase his ability to get into the backfield and disrupt passing plays. Gonzalez plays with great energy and is always around the ball, using his speed to track down ball carriers. His ability to get after the quarterback makes him a key piece in a pressure-based defensive scheme.   Overall Overview:   This linebacker group features a strong mix of speed, size, and playmaking ability. Chanavis Chance Jr. and [player_tooltip player_id='1870897' first='Deshawn' last='Simmons'] bring a disruptive presence with their ability to penetrate the backfield and create negative plays, while Mason Beane and Kahleb Crawford provide steady tackling and sideline-to-sideline pursuit. Jackson Hedden adds versatility with his ability to impact both the pass and run game, while Trey Gonzalez brings a strong pass-rushing presence off the edge. This unit is filled with high-energy defenders who can change the momentum of a game with their aggressive playstyles and ability to create turnovers.

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.