Our final linebacker is another prospect who was incredibly productive at the highest level of Class 6A-1. Union linebacker Bryce Ashlock Bryce Ashlock 6'0" | LB Union | 2023 State OK has been one of the top tacklers in 6A-1 over the last few seasons and every time I watched Union in person in 2022, Ashlock seemed to always be around the ball. He’s similar to a few other linebackers on this breakdown that just have a nose for the football. Ashlock is one of the old school backers that is going to be an extension of the coaching staff on the field. He’s going to be able to help everyone around him become better.

Bryce Ashlock Bryce Ashlock 6'0" | LB Union | 2023 State OK was a defensive anchor for Union. He was an essential reason why Owasso only had 13 points in regulation and did not score in the second half. He has solid size at 6’1, and utilized it well. He was a tackle machine. I recorded seven tackles for him, but it felt like he had more. He was always there interrupting Owasso’s plans on offense. He provided good coverage and was a consistent tackler. On special teams, he provided good punt coverage on a punt and was able to down the ball. It felt like as soon as the ball went up in the air, he was there to hinder the other team’s plans. He was impressive for Union  in this game.

The first of two Union prospects to join the rankings during this last update is linebacker Bryce Ashlock Bryce Ashlock 6'0" | LB Union | 2023 State OK . We’ve been told about Ashlock prior to this season but we wanted to see it in person. And he lives up to the hype. He’s a prototypical middle linebacker at the next level and he’s one of the vocal leaders of the Union defense, that has some serious talent at all three levels. Ashlock is incredibly productive and has a nose for the football. He’s at his best when he’s defending the run but he can also get after the quarterback, as well as drop back in pass coverage. The Redhawks fly all over the ball on defense and Ashlock is another example of that.

Union senior linebacker Bryce Ashlock Bryce Ashlock 6'0" | LB Union | 2023 State OK led a Redhawk front seven in tackles and really set the tone throughout the game. The Trojans had success running the football at various points in the game but Ashlock and the front seven would bend but not break in those moments. Ashlock would also routinely get into the backfield and put pressure on the quarterback, forcing rushed throws throughout the evening. Ashlock has had a great start to his senior season and this defense is playing with a lot of momentum after allowing just three points to Jenks and dominating Broken Arrow’s rushing attack in week one. Ashlock is definitely a linebacker to keep an eye on in this 2023 class. He’s a player that can play at the next level as he’s one of the better linebackers in 6A-1 early on this season.