Login Subscribe
    • Players/Parents
    • College Coaches
  • Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
    Alabama
    Arizona
    Arkansas
    California
    Canada
    Colorado
    Dakotas
    Florida
    Georgia
    Idaho
    Illinois
    Indiana
    Iowa
    Kansas
    Kentucky
    Louisiana
    Maryland
    Michigan
    Minnesota
    Mississippi
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New England
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ohio
    Oklahoma
    Oregon
    Pennsylvania
    South Carolina
    Tennessee
    Texas
    Utah
    Virginia
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wisconsin
  • Loading...
  • Tournaments
    • 7 on 7 7 on 7
    Showcases
    • Combine Series Combine Series
    About Our Events
  • Prep Redzone for
    • Players
    • Parents
    • Club Coaches
    • High School Coaches
    • College Coaches
    • Fans
    View All Features
    • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round without ads.
    • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
    • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
    • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
    • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
    • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
    • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
    • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
    • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
    • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
    • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
    • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
    • Scouts
    • How We Rank
    • About Us
  • Ohio
  • Rankings
    • How We Rank

    • Archived Rankings

    • 2026 Rankings

    • 2027 Rankings

    • 2028 Rankings

  • Player Database
    • 2025 Team Previews

  • Team Database
  • Scores
  • Scouts
  • Home
  • Coverage
      Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
      Alabama
      Arizona
      Arkansas
      California
      Canada
      Colorado
      Dakotas
      Florida
      Georgia
      Idaho
      Illinois
      Indiana
      Iowa
      Kansas
      Kentucky
      Louisiana
      Maryland
      Michigan
      Minnesota
      Mississippi
      Missouri
      Nebraska
      Nevada
      New England
      New Jersey
      New Mexico
      New York
      North Carolina
      Ohio
      Oklahoma
      Oregon
      Pennsylvania
      South Carolina
      Tennessee
      Texas
      Utah
      Virginia
      Washington
      West Virginia
      Wisconsin
  • Events
      Tournaments
      • 7 on 7 7 on 7
      Showcases
      • Combine Series Combine Series
      About Our Events
  • Rankings
      Loading...
  • Features
      Prep Redzone for
      • Players
      • Parents
      • Club Coaches
      • High School Coaches
      • College Coaches
      • Fans
      View All Features
      • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round without ads.
      • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
      • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
      • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
      • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
      • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
      • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
      • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
      • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
      • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
      • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
      • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
  • About Us
      • Scouts
      • How We Rank
      • About Us
  • Support
Login Subscribe

Thursday Thumpers: Under-the-Radar Linebackers

Thursday Thumpers: Under-the-Radar Linebackers
Photo: https://x.com/McallisterJett https://x.com/McallisterJett
Bryan Ault
Bryan Ault March 27, 2025 @ 01:01 PM
Facebook
X (Formerly Twitter)

In this article:

Griffin Lyons
Griffin Lyons 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB | 2028
OH
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being a linebacker in Ohio has a nice ring of tradition. From some of Ohio State's top linebackers over the years such as James Laurinaitis, A.J. Hawk, Matt Wilhelm or any number of prospects within the front three, a sense of pride has to be at the forefront of the guys who lays big hits and chase down linebackers in the Buckeye State. Here are five prospects with plenty of potential who are looking to make a name for themselves this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637941"],"_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-67e59265e8a53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good, solid, all-around linebacker who is stout v. The run and good against the pass.  Can drop in coverage, come out of a backpedal and get downhill, good mover in space.  Displays good instincts.  Name to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aarionte Crooks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"240","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hughes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e59265e8b2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Undersized but fast EDGE prospect with a quick first step and a good nose for the ball.  Can set a vertical edge, be very disruptive, has a high motor and good pursuit to ballcarriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jett McAllister","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Chillicothe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e59265e8bc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nifty linebacker who can elude blockers, takes good pursuit angles and wraps up.  Doesn't go for big hits; just wraps up on contact instead of whiffing.  Good pass rusher.  Flashes some edge speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Truitt McGlone","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Chillicothe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e59265e8c52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Takes good angles to ballcarriers, very good block shedder.  Can go inside the line of scrimmage, shed blocks in the interior and make tackles behind the LOS.  More of a big hitter while his teammate McAllister wraps up more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carson Shroyer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lakota East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e59265e8ce0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A bit more explosive as a pass rusher compared with a couple of his teammates. Takes good angles to the backfield.  Stout v. The run.  Has some edge speed to turn the corner, takes good angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Being a linebacker in Ohio has a nice ring of tradition. From some of Ohio State's top linebackers over the years such as James Laurinaitis, A.J. Hawk, Matt Wilhelm or any number of prospects within the front three, a sense of pride has to be at the forefront of the guys who lays big hits and chase down linebackers in the Buckeye State. Here are five prospects with plenty of potential who are looking to make a name for themselves this fall.

Griffin Lyons

Griffin Lyons

OH
LB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 215
POS LB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Griffin
Lyons LB
Class
2028
Height
6'1"
Weight
215
HS
Saint Xavier
|
OH
Thursday Thumpers: Under-the-Radar Linebackers
Good, solid, all-around linebacker who is stout v. The run and good against the pass.  Can drop in...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Griffin Lyons

State: Ohio
School: Saint Xavier
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Aarionte Crooks

Aarionte Crooks

HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 240
POS DL
CLASS 2026

Aarionte Crooks

School: Hughes
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Jett McAllister

Jett McAllister

HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 210
POS LB
CLASS 2026

Jett McAllister

School: Chillicothe
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Truitt McGlone

Truitt McGlone

HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 220
POS LB
CLASS 2026

Truitt McGlone

School: Chillicothe
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Carson Shroyer

Carson Shroyer

HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 200
POS LB
CLASS 2026

Carson Shroyer

School: Lakota East
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Prep Redzone

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

Continue Reading
Already a subscriber? Log in

Rankings

609 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Elbert Hill

    Elbert Hill

    Hoban

    USC
  • 2
    Maxwell Riley

    Maxwell Riley

    Avon Lake

    Ohio State
  • 3
    Victor Singleton

    Victor Singleton

    Toledo Central Catholic

    Texas A&amp;M
  • 4
    Cam Thomas

    Cam Thomas

    Lakota West

    Illinois
  • 5
    Shahn Alston

    Shahn Alston

    Harvey

    USC
View Full Rankings

Related Articles

  • Analyzing Ohio’s Top Rushing Leaders

    Analyzing Ohio’s Top Rushing Leaders

    Bryan Ault • September 5

  • 7 Game-Changers to Watch Tonight

    7 Game-Changers to Watch Tonight

    Mike Robinson • September 5

  • Northwest Ohio Players to Watch: Week 3

    Northwest Ohio Players to Watch: Week 3

    Mike Robinson • September 5

  • Buckeye State Sack Masters Through Week 2

    Buckeye State Sack Masters Through Week 2

    Bryan Ault • September 4

  • The Robinson Report: Northeast Ohio Week 2 Gems

    The Robinson Report: Northeast Ohio Week 2 Gems

    Mike Robinson • September 4

Follow Us

  • Jared Luginbill

    Jared Luginbill

    @jaredluginbill

  • Mike Robinson

    Mike Robinson

    @coach_mikerob

  • Tyler Stevens

    Tyler Stevens

    @TylerStevens94

Loading...
Home Ohio Thursday Thumpers: Under-the-Radar Linebackers

Prep Network

  • Prep Dig
  • Prep Girls Hoops
  • Prep Hoops
  • Prep Lacrosse
  • Prep Redzone
  • Prep Soccer
  • Prep Softball

Company

  • News
  • About
  • Careers
  • Store
  • Partner Interest Form

Resources

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy
  • Recruiting Tips
  • Student Loan Resources
  • College Scholarship Search

Support

  • My Account
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Prep Redzone. All rights reserved.