2029 Rankings: Linebackers Breaking the Mold

Editor's note: Prep RedZone's Spring Rankings Update window means savings for you. Throughout the entirety of the cycle, you can save 40% off an annual or two-year subscription by using the offer code “Guerin40” at checkout. This will unlock all rankings and subsequent content at the discounted rate. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Get in the game here.</a>    With 16 of the 103 players in the latest Prep RedZone South Carolina Class of 2029 rankings stemming from the linebacker position, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you the group has an extremely bright future.   Already, we're seeing guys take control of the territory they're asked to attack.   They're not taking it lightly.   From [player_tooltip player_id='1301735' first='Dash' last='Holley'] (Northwestern) to [player_tooltip player_id='1816941' first='Robert' last='Wynns'] (Marion) and the 14 players ranked between them, offensive coordinators in every section of the state have some notably problems on their hands for the next three years.     TOP OF THE LIST   [player_tooltip player_id='1301735' first='Dash' last='Holley'] Northwestern   The future is here for Holley, who was a contributor for the Trojans' Class 5A, Division II state championship team last fall but is now primed for a three-year stint as a starting linebacker. He's poses a great combination of size (6-foot, 220 pounds), speed (19.2 mph/4.9 40) and power (15 bench reps at 185, 30.5 inches on medicine ball toss) and field awareness (watch the tape) that a school of magnitude must have to continue competing on the biggest stages.    [player_tooltip player_id='1590515' first='Josiah' last='Singleton'] Fort Dorchester   Singleton is already starting to look like a college middle linebacker, which is a heck of a compliment for a 15-year old. But at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds at such a young age, his durability is based on his size and quickness. He was second on the roster in tackles last fall, and while that alone is a nice resume booster, the types of teams he was playing against and how he didn't shy away from any of them is even better.    [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] Loris (pictured)   Shaw has already put himself on pace to match and possibly even top some of the school tackles records. And while that's a tough thing to put on a high school freshman, he's earned the pressure with how he handled a freshman season in which he was seemingly everywhere on every play. He and fellow linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1817499' first='Jay' last='Todd'] are the centerpieces of this defense for the foreseeable future, and how they bounce off each other only increases Shaw's expectations.     PRIMED TO RISE   [player_tooltip player_id='1825182' first='Cullen' last='Spence'] Liberty    Spence has put himself into some much bigger conversations earlier by bringing his hit-stick ability to the Devils' defense since the end of September last fall. He proved himself ready for the quick rise from the JV squad and immediately started popping ball carriers. He might have been the most important player on the field during a three-game stretch late in the season in which he tallied 35 tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205157' first='Javon' last='Besselieu'] Andrews    What Besselieu is about to be asked to do might be the toughest ask of anyone on the Yellow Jackets' roster. So much of their success the last three years has come from the hybrid defensive end/linebacker spot, most recently inhabited by Chris Stewart (Western Michigan). There's still a lot to be determined with Besselieu, of course, but his foundation from his freshman year (46 tackles, seven TFL) is a good start.   [player_tooltip player_id='2106791' first='Nathan' last='Good'] Pinewood Prep    We mentioned when we added Good to the rankings during the Winter Cycle that it was largely based on how well he played in the second half of the season. More specifically, his production increase mirrored Pinewood's state title run. In the playoffs alone, he put up 5.5 tackles for loss, 21 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.     HIDDEN TALENTS NO MORE   [player_tooltip player_id='1819317' first='Mason' last='Ellis'] Ninety-Six   As we've tipped to a couple times already, Ellis' biggest plays last fall came catching a few passes up the seam as an H-Back. But his build and tenacity for initiating contact - and his tackling ability - make him a natural for the linebacker position he's going to see a lot more time at this fall. A couple of the dudes holding down the fort are moving on from Ninety Six, and Ellis is going to be there to pick up the slack for a program already going through other changes.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816941' first='Robert' last='Wynns'] Marion    Wynns didn't need to be rushed onto the varsity lineup last fall, thanks to a big ol' youth movement happening at Marion the last two seasons. But his time his coming. A possible shift to safety or defensive end isn't out of the question, and he's given a new coaching staff that type of choice to make this summer. We're also not ruling out some time on offense. More physicality is exactly what the Swamp Foxes need, and Wynns has it.    [player_tooltip player_id='2205271' first='Takym' last='Raysor'] CA Johnson    The Green Hornets didn't waste any time getting Raysor onto the field last fall, even if they weren't exactly sure how to best use him for a few weeks. In Week 0 (a declaration that is being abandoned moving forward), Raysor recovered a fumble. The next week, in a win over Branchville, he forced another one and recorded three tackles. The following week, he started to see end-of-game minutes transferred to more responsibility. He ended the season with 47 stops.

Editor's note: Prep RedZone's Spring Rankings Update window means savings for you. Throughout the entirety of the cycle, you can save 40% off an annual or two-year subscription by using the offer code “Guerin40” at checkout. This will unlock all rankings and subsequent content at the discounted rate. Get in the game here.