Behind the Rankings: 2023 Linebackers

The state of Arizona is loaded at the linebacker position this season. Run stoppers, hard-nosed athletes ready to make a name for themselves and their team. These backers will represent themselves well this fall and are poised to stand out from the crowd. A deep dive inside our 2023 linebacker rankings. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="347186" first="Christian" last="Aguilar"]│6’2" 220 lbs│Mountain Ridge│State Rank #78, LB rank #8</strong> Aguilar has speed and plays fast. He gets to the edge very quickly and can disrupt outside runs before they even happen. Very good at blowing up potential pull blockers and sets the edge very well. Aguilar can also play within the tackles, hard-nosed run stopper who did not let any running back get going. He is always the first guy to sniff out a screen play, showing on multiple occasions he is more than capable of playing in the passing game. My favorite play on his film was when he swam by not one, but two would be blockers moving to his left and made the play in the backfield. Excited to see him play this season. And with a busy summer ahead of him with camps and already some college offers, expect Christian to remain in the top 10 in linebackers in the state. https://twitter.com/C_Aguilar2023/status/1529150065356378112?s=20&amp;t=5bxmXmIpH7ha0ym_seEFkw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="214109" first="Cole" last="Lalama"]│6’0" 210 lbs│Queen Creek│State Rank #83, LB rank #9</strong> Cole plays very, very well in the pass game. Drops back and can read the quarterback’s eyes to a T and it creates turnover opportunities for his team. Quick hips and instincts allow him to play side to side very well as well in the passing game, sometimes lining up as middle backer, dropping back in pass coverage, and making the tackle on the sideline. He plays very well side to side downhill as well, splitting gaps and making plays in the backfield who loves to bring the big hits. Queen Creek High has an overall great linebacking core this season, expect that defense to be flying around and making plays, and [player_tooltip player_id="214109" first="Cole" last="Lalama"]’s name to be popping up in those plays. https://twitter.com/LalamaCole/status/1534370284010086403?s=20&amp;t=5bxmXmIpH7ha0ym_seEFkw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110086" first="Jackson" last="Browning"]│6’0" 215 lbs│Basha│State Rank #124, LB rank #13</strong> Browning gets after you as an offense, and fast. The ability to play on the line of scrimmage standing up, and still being able to move side to side and downhill is a top tier quality to have. I love seeing him play in the A gap showing blitz and making the play down the line. Quick blitzer who times it perfectly without being offsides and causing havoc in the backfield for quarterbacks. Traditional middle linebacker as well who plays hard-nosed in the run game, not afraid to stick his helmet in there and make a play. Love the scoop and score as well, right place right time rewards players. 6A First Team All-Region and a 6A Underclassman of the Year nominee last season, expect greater things to come for Jackson in 2022. https://twitter.com/J_Browning5/status/1513714531016486914?s=20&amp;t=5bxmXmIpH7ha0ym_seEFkw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="358522" first="Austin" last="Young"]│6’2" 225 lbs│Casteel│State Rank #138, LB rank #18</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="358522" first="Austin" last="Young"] plays a smooth, crisp game at the linebacker position. Scraps off blockers so clean and interrupts plays because of it. Does not engage in blocks for very long at all, allowing him more time to read plays and get to the ball. Smart player, can sense his football IQ when watching him play on defense. Very clean side to side play as well. High motor kid, wants to be apart of every play, tracks back and is in on every almost tackle when he can be. Multi sport athlete shows his drive and competitiveness he has. Senior year will be a big year for him, and has himself a very busy summer with half a dozen (and counting) college camps to showcase his skill. [player_tooltip player_id="358522" first="Austin" last="Young"] will have a great year for Casteel to lead that defense, and expect him to be on coaches radars around the country. https://twitter.com/Youngfootball52/status/1533164962939428864?s=20&amp;t=5bxmXmIpH7ha0ym_seEFkw