2023 Austin Area Rankings: Linebackers

The linebacker position faces the tough role of providing blitz rushes, pass coverage, and run stopping. However, these five linebackers in the Austin area are already playing on another level. Check them out! <span style="font-size: 1rem;">1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242258" first="Zach" last="LaCombe"] - Rouse High School (Leander, TX)</strong></span> 2021 Season: 124 total tackles, 81 solo tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble LaCombe is the definition of an elite athlete on the field. He is fast, able to get into the backfield often, and creates disruptive plays. On top of that, he is excellent at creating turnovers. His tape truly showcases not just these qualities but his ability to tackle, wrapping up the ball carrier to not allow them to break the tackle. He also has excellent play recognition which is crucial for a linebacker. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13319260/61b38b2915f663081cc03888" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 2. <strong>Byers Petty - Westlake High School (Austin, TX)</strong> 2021 Season: 84 total tackles, 61 solo tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery Much like the rest of the Westlake defense, Petty is a force to be reckoned with. He leads this list in sacks and has such great recognition of the play that he is able to capitalize on any mistakes made by the offense. Petty is agile and is quick off the snap, which is perfect for when blitzes are called. He is an athlete entrusted to sack the quarterback or stop a run in its tracks. Petty should have a long career ahead of him at this rate. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13167170/61afd7cc6655be03840836ea" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <span style="font-size: 1rem;">3. <strong>Tavin Lewis - Lake Travis High School (Austin, TX)</strong></span> 2021 Season: 127 total tackles, 83 solo tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble Lewis is the definition of speed, after all, he plays running back as well. With the increasing amount of mobile quarterbacks, speed on the defensive side is key and Lewis definitely has it. His tape highlights his ability to jump off the snap and completely silence any play developing. Much like Petty, he is the guy to go to on blitz plays. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4336270/61c3b46e96767906a40b28ef" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <span style="font-size: 1rem;">4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="276123" first="IV" last="Webb"] - Anderson High School (Austin, TX)</strong></span> 2021 Season: 125 total tackles, 61 solo tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles Webb is a turnover machine, which plays a huge role in the momentum of any game. He is notorious for stripping the ball and recovering it. Not only that, but he is also infamous for creating incompletions in pass coverage. While the other linebackers previously mentioned might be best rushing the quarterback, Webb is the perfect field general. His ability to diagnose the play is crucial and should serve him well in the long run. On top of that, he is excellent in pass coverage too. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12969255/618cab922347b1133c11f46e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 5. <strong>Gary Seidenberger - Fredericksburg High School (Fredericksburg, TX)</strong> 2021 Season: 143 total tackles, 75 solo tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble Another linebacker/running back Seidenberger also carries the speed, which is partly why he leads this list in tackles. He is extremely fast, and his agility is through the roof. On top of that, he is excellent on special teams as well. Much like the other linebackers, he too has a great sense of play recognition and seems to know where the ball is going most of the time. He is also an excellent opportunist. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13207156/619bbdb9041d7804e0c8f654" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>