2025 Final Rankings Risers: Linebackers

Knudtson moves up our rankings as a top 500 player in the state and inside the top 50 at his position. Coming off a state title winning season for Edison, he had a tremendous senior year and was one of the top tacklers in Southern California. He is a big-time thumper coming off the edge or playing inside and brings violence at the point of attack and explodes through contact. He takes good angles in the open field and is a efficient tackler while understanding backside pursuit angles and does a tremendous job at quickly getting off blocks and shocking blockers. He will be a steal at the next level and is one of the top unsigned prospects still available across the state.     Leatherman is a true plug in the middle of the defense, and has been moved up into our rankings in the final 2025 update. He is coming off a season where he was one of the most active tacklers across the region and shows he is a violent player that can bang in the box and shows good movement abilities in the open field and should find his home at inside linebacker the next level. He moves well in space, takes good angles into the backfield and can provide some pass rush off the edge of the middle as well. Leatherman is currently committed to Boise State to play rugby and leaves behind a tremendous career for the Army-Navy academy.     Thompson checks into our rankings as a top 50 player at his position and is a long and rangy prospect that can play either on the edge or as a outside linebacker at the next level. He is explosive off the ball and has a quick use of hands at the point of attack with natural bend and closing speed when collapsing in the pocket with a variety of pass rush moves at his disposal. Thompson also shows the ability to redirect and moves well in space for his size and can cover the flats if needed. He has plenty of room to grow at the next level and offers some good upside as well. Thompson signed with Cal Lutheran last month and is a big time steel in the SCIAC.     Vinson is a long and rangy linebacker that can play either inside or outside at the next level and is currently on his way to Golden West College. He has the ideal frame and size for the next level with good length and can cover a ton of ground quickly. He is a very active tackler that has a high football IQ and triggers quickly to ball carriers while exploding through contact and playing with violence. He can quickly get off blocks, scrape over the top and flows well to the ball while always looking to cause turnovers and get the ball out. He should make an immediate impact at a Junior College level and is a definite four year school guy.    <a> </a>    The Orange Lutheran prospect moves up in our rankings inside the top 500 overall and inside the top 50 at his position. He's coming off a season where he was one of the best defenders in the vaunted Trinity League and is very active both inside and outside of the box while able to make plays outside the tackles and thump inside as well. He's a very fluid player that shows quick change of direction, pass rush abilities when applying pressure and is a consistent tackler in the open field that takes the proper angles and can knife quickly into the backfield. He is a no-brainer next level guy and has been under-recruited throughout his prep career.