Top Class of 2028 SSAA 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. Rayden Butts, Linebacker – Christ's Church Academy   Height/Weight: 5'11", 172 lbs   Stats Summary: 63 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 interception, 2 passes defensed   Evaluation: Butts is a disciplined and instinctive linebacker who consistently finds himself in the right position to make plays. His 63 tackles highlight his ability to read and react quickly, showing great awareness in diagnosing plays and closing on the football. He's an aggressive run defender with 5 tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to shoot gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield. Butts also shows comfort in pass coverage, breaking on throws and reading quarterbacks well, as seen in his interception and two passes defensed. His combination of football IQ, quickness, and versatility makes him a key piece in the heart of the defense.   2. Nicolas Barbosa, Linebacker/Edge – Old Plank Christian Academy   Height/Weight: 6'1", 190 lbs   Stats Summary: 57 tackles, 7 TFL, 5 sacks, 1forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Barbosa is a relentless edge defender who brings an aggressive and physical presence to the front seven. His 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss highlight his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, using a combination of speed and power to shed blockers and get to the ball carrier. He's explosive off the snap and shows great pursuit when hunting down quarterbacks or tracking plays from the backside. Barbosa also has a knack for forcing turnovers, as seen in his forced fumble and fumble recovery. His motor never stops, and his combination of pass-rushing ability and run-stopping instincts makes him a dangerous defender off the edge.   3. Carson McBride, Linebacker – Saint Stephen's Episcopal   Height/Weight: 5'11", 185 lbs   Stats Summary: 55 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed   Evaluation: McBride is a sound, disciplined linebacker who thrives in making secure tackles and keeping plays in front of him. His 55 tackles show his ability to track down ball carriers and take solid angles to the football. He's a technically sound defender who rarely misses tackles and plays with great effort on every snap. His ability to contribute in all phases of the game is evident in his pass defensed, showing he can be effective in coverage as well. With his combination of consistency and awareness, McBride is a dependable presence in the middle of the defense.   4. Beau Tack, Linebacker – Out-of-Door Academy   Height/Weight: 5'7", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 45 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Tack plays the game with a relentless motor and a nose for the football. Despite his smaller frame, he plays with a physicality that allows him to take on blocks and make plays in the run game. His 45 tackles show his ability to find the football, while his 2 tackles for loss demonstrate his quickness in shooting gaps and disrupting plays in the backfield. He's also active in coverage, getting his hands on a pass defensed, and he shows his physicality with a forced fumble. Tack is the type of player who brings energy and effort every play, making him a valuable contributor to his defense.   5. Max Rosado, Linebacker – Interlachen High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 42 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 interception   Evaluation: Rosado is a playmaking linebacker who has a natural feel for the game. His 42 tackles reflect his ability to diagnose plays quickly and react with decisiveness. He's quick to read blocks and fill gaps. Rosado also has a strong awareness in coverage, leading to his interception, where he showcases his ability to read the quarterback's eyes and make a play on the ball. His mix of physicality and coverage ability allows him to be a well-rounded defender who can impact the game in multiple ways.   6. Vinquez Chambers, Linebacker – Jefferson County High   Height/Weight: 5'9", 175 lbs   Stats Summary: 41 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Chambers is an explosive defender who plays with a downhill mentality. His 10 tackles for loss and 2 sacks highlight his ability to penetrate the backfield and create disruption. He has a great first step, allowing him to beat blockers and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Chambers also has a knack for forcing turnovers, as seen with his forced fumble and fumble recovery. He's an aggressive player who thrives on playing physical and setting the tone on defense.   7. Zane McArdle, Inside Linebacker – Bell High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 205 lbs   Stats Summary: 27 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: McArdle is a physical and instinctive inside linebacker who plays with great effort and toughness. He shows strong tackling ability with 27 stops and has an aggressive mindset when attacking ball carriers. His 2 sacks highlight his ability to time blitzes well and create pressure on the quarterback. McArdle also has a nose for the football, as shown in his fumble recovery, always being in the right place to capitalize on mistakes. His strength and effort make him a key enforcer in the middle of the defense.   Overall Overview:   This linebacker group features a strong mix of pass rushers, turnover creators, and disciplined defenders. Nicolas Barbosa stands out with his elite ability to penetrate the backfield, while Rayden Butts showcases his versatility across all phases of the game. Ben Layton and KJ Anderson bring a great blend of tackling ability and pass-rushing skills, while Hunter Bradley and Vario McBride make key impact plays with forced turnovers and blocked kicks. Each of these defenders brings something unique to the table, making them valuable assets to their respective teams.

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.