Standout Seniors for 2025: DFW Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the box, off the edge, sideline to sideline, there are always great backers coming out of DFW. The linebacker position may be the most important to have a strong senior leader at on defense. In big-time Texas high school football competition, dynamic LBs are increasingly valuable as offenses continue to diversify. Time to check out several of the top seniors looking to lead their defense to the promised land this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977593"],"_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-686333ac85829"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Phillips is a dynamic leader of the defense and has the ideal frame of an inside backer with the ability to also come off the edge. The Baylor commit has good lateral change of direction, solid bend off the edge, and is violent at the point of attack. Phillips also displays a good motor and always finishes plays in the backfield. Truly versatile, he also flashes ability in zone coverage. These traits helped Phillips give the Golden Bears a lot of production in 2024, compiling sacks, tackles, interceptions, and invaluable defensive leadership. Expect a monster senior campaign for Jamarion as he prepares to go from one bear to the next. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19611246/659b8974b3c9c9063898fe53' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686333ac85a1c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1653174"],"_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-686333ac85a78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pettijohn is a dynamite stick often used off the edge with great instinct, twitch, and a high motor. The quick backer shows the ability to play in space when needed, but he excels at getting downhill and using his pass rush moves to get in the backfield. Additionally, Pettijohn has little wasted movement and plays with a collected base, enabling him to consistently blow up plays around the line of scrimmage. A surefire outside backer, Kailer had a strong 2024, compiling 43 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 6 QB pressures, and 3 pass breakups. The Coyotes will lean on Pettijohn's production again in 2025, as he looks to increase his offer list, which includes Arkansas State, Southern Miss, and UTEP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/25474146/671a66298545ac54fe1ba229' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686333ac85aa3"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284160"],"_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-686333ac85af5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first team all-district team captain is a high-flying hard hard-hitting linebacker and safety tweener. Cox demonstrates great instincts, good burst, and impressive athleticism. He constantly is laying hard hits on passes over the middle or coming downhill on runs. A truly versatile rover-type backer, Cox plays well in space and possesses good ball skills. Desmond provided major production for the Hawks in 2024, amassing 145 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 pass breakups, and 9 forced fumbles. As Cox continues to grow into his frame, he should have a dominant senior season. He recently committed to Memphis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17941773/674634a0e429f4576621a50e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686333ac85b1e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1363956"],"_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-686333ac85b84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A "green dot" type leader of the powerhouse Allen defense, Wafer provides elite production as an inside backer who also flashes some solid bend off the edge. Wafer is extremely instinctive, displaying a unique combination of patience and violence, which always puts him in the best position to make tackles. Constantly blowing up plays in the backfield, Wafer also plays well in space with good footwork, fluid hips, and solid change of direction. The first team all-district linebacker earned the honor by totaling 150 total tackles, 23 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 1 INT, and 1 forced fumble in 2024. Truly a stat sheet stuffer, Wafer will seek to help lead Allen to a state title in 2025 and extend his offer list, which includes UNC, Houston, and UNLV. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18825818/670d8e8d202b8296d036a5b1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686333ac85bb1"} /--> <!-- /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":"Uche Dimkpa","_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":"225","_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":"Melissa","_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-686333ac85c89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Primarily working as an outside backer that sets the edge, Dimkpa has a great, strong frame and surprisingly good overall speed. The Cardinal's versatile weapon also flashes some ability in the box, showcasing some ability to flip his hips and drop back in coverage. However, Uche is at his best when disrupting the backfield, demonstrating twitchiness, power at the point of attack, and the ability to consistently finish tackles. Ultimately, Dimkpa has some things to polish, but is a raw talent with sky-high potential when developed. Anticipate him taking the next step in 2025 and adding to his offers, which include Colorado State, UTSA, and Texas State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18780445/6707fb56135b421cc8edde7b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686333ac85cbb"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->