Class A Senior LB Watchlist for 2025

Returning to our watchlist of the upcoming senior class of high school football athletes across Iowa, we take a look today at the top upcoming senior LBs in Class A Iowa. This was a select group of players that played well throughout the 2024 season and showcased the potential to translate their skills into the collegiate level despite playing for a lower division. We take a look today at 6 LBs that you should watch out for in Class A Iowa for the 2025 season!    [player_tooltip player_id='1238616' first='Gavin' last='Stanton'] is a DE/OLB hybrid player who was a nightmare to go against as he was able to chase down the ball-carrier and make a big play in the backfield with ease throughout last season. Stanton recorded 40 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception last season. Stanton did a really good job with his pursuit angles, showing great timing on his bursts, and he rarely let the ball-carrier progress for extra yardage upon contact. Stanton has good length and speed, and he's a well-rounded defender giving support in the pass-rush, run-stop, and in coverage. Stanton has been a clear standout not just in Class A, but across all of Iowa, and he could be on the radar toward having a huge senior campaign.     One of the most productive defenders in the conference last season, Byers Nealey did a great job at finding the ball and consistently making plays against the run. Nealey finished with 100.5 tackles, 5 TFLs, and a fumble recovery in 2024 en route to winning district MVP honors. Nealey runs laterally very well, showing clear range as a sideline-to-sideline tackler, while doing a great job at reading the play and attacking at the right angles against different formations, including Wildcat and T-formation units. Nealey proved just as disruptive against the pass, showing great timing in breaking up throws and making hits on the receiver just as the ball gets to their hands. Nealey has the size and power to hold his own as a MLB, and he should be on the radar toward leading Class A in tackles in 2025 after finishing 3rd in total tackles in the whole conference last season.     Kyle Kuboushek has stood out for South Winneshiek as a two-way player, pounding the rock in the run-game, and stopping the RB dead in their tracks at LB. On the defensive side, Kuboushek recorded 84.5 tackles (71 solo), 9 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. Kuboushek was able to translate his explosiveness and excellent footwork in the backfield into being able to get into the backfield and stop the RB. Kuboushek has great tackling form, and despite his smaller size, he packs a strong punch at the point of contact that can jar the ball out of the ball-carrier's hands. Kuboushek will be an intriguing name to watch in 2025, and he could very easily play on either side of the ball at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1699486' first='Tyler' last='Koch'] is another all-purpose athlete that showed a lot of great potential playing at the second level of Kingsley-Pierson's defense. Koch finished with 70.5 tackles (65 solo), 11 TFLs, and 2 sacks in 2024. What I like when watching Koch play was his patience, being able to analyze and anticipate the play as it develops before bursting through the gaps to make the play. Just as easily though, Koch was often able to sneak up to the line and burst into the backfield to force a stop behind the line before the play could easily develop. His combination of disruption, high football IQ, and good tackling form makes him an excellent MLB who's clearly stood out as the leader of the Panthers' defense.     Despite his smaller size for a LB, Jarett Prichard has stepped up in a big way as he unexpectedly emerged as a leader for Westwood's defense last season. Prichard recorded 64 tackles (54 solo) to go with 8 TFLs, 5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries with one returned for a touchdown. Pierson was able to win his matchups with his speed, using it to get into the backfield quickly and stop the ball-carrier at the line, and he shows an exceptional amount of power and shedding ability against his blockers. Prichard could look toward building some mass heading into 2025, but he's a defender that clearly should not be ignored for the impact he's made toward Westwood's defense.     En route to a second straight 10-1 campaign, [player_tooltip player_id='1222861' first='Xander' last='Harwood'] enjoyed a breakout season taking over as the leader in the middle of ACGC's defense. Harwood recorded 70.5 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, a sack, a fumble recovery, and an interception in 2024. I was impressed with Harwood's speed and ability to close the distance between the ball-carrier and him in an instant. Harwood has excellent sideline-to-sideline range covering the ground and he also played well in coverage. Harwood will look to cap off his high school career by helping ACGC to a state title game in 2025.

Returning to our watchlist of the upcoming senior class of high school football athletes across Iowa, we take a look today at the top upcoming senior LBs in Class A Iowa. This was a select group of players that played well throughout the 2024 season and showcased the potential to translate their skills into the collegiate level despite playing for a lower division. We take a look today at 6 LBs that you should watch out for in Class A Iowa for the 2025 season!