2025 Rankings Update: Linebackers Show Their Stuff

Don't let the fact that the first linebacker in the 2025 Class doesn't show up in the rankings until the No. 11 spot. Or the fact that only one linebacker is ranked in the top 30. There are 12 ranked in the top 100 players in the Class but there is an abundance of talent from top to bottom.   In total, we have 62 linebackers ranked. Here is a look at 20 of them that will be difference-makers this season.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='605522' first='Andrew' last='Ruppe'] Gaffney   You often see Ruppe referenced as a tackling machine. Any time you record 100 stops in a season, that seems appropriate. He plays in the middle, is physical and never shies away from contact. He reads and reacts well and can drop into coverage when needed. When he arrives at the ball-carrier, it's usually with a purpose.     [player_tooltip player_id='1249737' first='Wyatt' last='Ward'] JL Mann   Ward has led the Patriots leading tackler for two straight seasons and that's unlikely to change this season. He was credited with 155 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three interceptions in 2023. Ward is another linebacker that plays in the middle but can move sideline-to-sideline to make plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='809745' first='Max' last='Moorman'] Oceanside Collegiate   Moorman is in line for a monster season as he should be the leader of the Landsharks defense. He wasn't bad in 2023, finishing with 97 tackles and 12 sacks. Those numbers will be hard to top but with the motor that Moorman plays with, he can easily get there. Moorman lines up mainly on the outside but moves around to best find a way to get pressure.   [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] Midland Valley   If you want to talk about a player packing a punch, all you need to do is watch the film of Hawkins. He's on the smaller side at 5-foot-7 and a tick over 200 pounds but that hasn't stopped him from meeting every challenge head on. He sheds blockers well and is sure a tackler you will find. His numbers in 2023 tell the full story – 187 tackles and 18 tackles for loss   [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'] Spartanburg   Smith is another linebacker on the smallish side at 5-foot-9, 200 pounds but he's made plays against high-level competition his entire career. He moves well and closes on the ball-carrier in a hurry. He had 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks to go along with his 79 tackles in 2023. Smith is better at playing in space but can navigate his way through the trees to make plays.    TEN RISING STARS   [player_tooltip player_id='150043' first='Brett' last='Young'] Clinton   Young is someone that just always seems to be around the football. He led the Red Devils with 69 tackles and 17 tackles for loss to go along with 5.5 sacks and two interceptions a season ago. He reacts quickly and reads lanes and angles better than most. He runs well and makes plays all over.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249760' first='Tye' last='Kelly'] Belton Hone-Path   Kelly led a better than average Bears defense with 76 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. He has massive closing speed and can zero-in on his target quickly. He plays on the outside so that allows him to make tackles in space but he's versatile enough to make plays up the middle as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='395980' first='Ashton' last='Keith'] Myrtle Beach   Keith (pictured) is a three-year starter that moves around and can fill multiple spots with ease. The biggest thing is he packs a wallop whenever he gets the chance. He uses a quick first step to get around defenders then breaks down well, using great technique when making tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157945' first='Spencer' last='Conn'] Daniel   To show you how high we think of Conn, he Jumped 41 spots in the recent rankings. All the kid does is make tackles as evidence of his 148 tackles and 15 tackles for loss last season. He's always around the ball, can make all the plays and does so in a way that makes him stand out on a team with several high caliber players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1158045' first='Jared' last='Acosta'] Newberry   Acosta rarely finds himself out of position. He breaks down well and is one of the better open field defenders we've seen. He attacks with vigor and finds ways to make plays even when not much is there. He is a special team terror as well.      [player_tooltip player_id='464896' first='Darrell' last='Holmes'] Stratford   Holmes has been a mainstay on the Knights defense and the move to linebacker full-time has paid dividends. He has an opportunity to open plenty of eyes. He plays with a low center of gravity and has hard hitting ability. He could blossom into one of the top defensive players in the lowcountry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1253925' first='Jack' last='Merriman'] Riverside   The Warriors are fairly stacked at linebacker, but Merriman quickly stands out. He's 6-foot-1, 180 pounds and had a team-best 89 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and six sacks. Merriman runs well but maybe more importantly packs a punch when he hits a ball-carrier.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254142' first='Kyler' last='Turner'] Easley   Turner checks in at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds and plays as about as physical as they come. He's not going to win a foot race but he's plenty quick enough to make plays all over the field. He finished with 58 tackles a season ago and should see this number jump this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1158047' first='Elisha' last='Baker'] Lewisville   Baker was a little overshadowed on a talented defense last season but he's inline to be the guy this season. He's the quarterback and makes sure everyone is lined up correctly, but he has great pursuit once the ball is snapped.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157988' first='Aakil' last='Brown'] South Pointe   Brown is a guy that just makes plays as evidence of his 12.5 sacks last season. He can clog up the middle, go sideline-to-sideline or come off the edge for a tackle for loss. Wherever he lines up, it's going to give opposing offensive nightmares.    FIVE DARK HORSE CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1360369' first='Gavin' last='Stam'] Chapin   Stam is part of a three-headed monster at linebacker for Chapin with [player_tooltip player_id='1360035' first='Tanner' last='Short'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1255998' first='Anthony' last='Turnbow']. But Stam makes an impression with his 116 tackles and 22 tackles for loss last season. He can run through a blocker to make the play or is quick enough to get around them. But he rarely misses once he arrives.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360087' first='David' last='Wigfall'] Cross   Cross had a dominant defense last season, shutting out six opponents in a row at one point. Wigfall was the leading tackler with 80 and he added nine tackles for loss and two interceptions. He plays in the middle well but moves with ease in coverage or on the edge.     [player_tooltip player_id='1362467' first='Divine' last='Gee'] Wilson   Gee is a two-way player but uses his 6-foot, 170 pounds as a battering ram on defense. He arrives in a bad mood and lets it get worse when he's making the tackle. He's going to be the leader of the Tigers defense and should flirt with 100 tackles this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1281430' first='Treshon' last='Hills'] Whale Branch   Hills is 5-foot-8, 180 pounds and should be the Warriors leading tackler this season. He steps into the top role on the defense and will be in position to make plays. He has a tenacity about him and can find the ball-carrier quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1046263' first='Caleb' last='Costantino'] Hillcrest   Costantino is the Rams leading returning tackler with 79 last season. He has a bulldog mentality and plays until the whistle blows. He makes plays in the middle of the field but can drop in coverage and provide an extra defender there as well.

Don't let the fact that the first linebacker in the 2025 Class doesn't show up in the rankings until the No. 11 spot. Or the fact that only one linebacker is ranked in the top 30. There are 12 ranked in the top 100 players in the Class but there is an abundance of talent from top to bottom.