Beggs linebacker DJ Strother DJ Strother 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Union | 2025 State OK is very similar to Carter at Millwood. Whether you’re watching Strother in person or on film, you see a very productive linebacker that is your prototypical middle linebacker at the high school level. You can certainly make the argument that there isn’t another linebacker in this class that has been more productive in his career than Strother. The Beggs defensive standout has been a playmaker since he was a freshman a few years ago. So there are no questions about his production and his ability at the high school level. And just like Carter, the biggest question with Strother as a prospect might be his size and speed.

Beggs standout DJ Strother DJ Strother 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Union | 2025 State OK has been just that since his freshman year. The Demons have a few standouts in the state’s 2025 class that have been shining bright since they were freshmen. This is going to be a theme on this breakdown but Strother is an absolute tackling machine. When you look at him in person or on film, you see a prototypical middle linebacker who can fly all over the field and cause a lot of problems for opposing offenses. This season, Strother is having another stellar year at linebacker and while Beggs has been battling injuries and a brutal schedule, Strother has still found a way to make a massive impact. Beggs has had their share of top talent in just about every class for the last five seasons and Strother is another one.

While the first two linebackers were somewhat new names to us last season, Beggs linebacker DJ Strother DJ Strother 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Union | 2025 State OK has been on our radar since he was a freshman. By the time it’s all said and done, Strother is going to be a four-year starter for Beggs and he’s part of a 2025 class that has some serious talent. Similar to Carter and Millwood, Beggs also has two prospects in the Top 25 and Strother is one of them along with a standout two-way player that will be covered with the defensive backs. Strother is incredibly productive and while he might not have the prototypical size to some of the other linebackers on this breakdown, it simply hasn’t mattered. Strother is a heat-seeking missile and he’s proven that he can be productive against some of the top competition.

Out of the five linebackers on this breakdown, Beggs standout DJ Strother DJ Strother 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Union | 2025 State OK has consistently been the highest ranked of the group and for good reason. Like Melson, Strother has been incredibly productive from the moment he stepped on the field as a freshman. Strother is another prototypical inside or middle linebacker at the next level. He’s part of a very impressive run of talent at Beggs and the 2025 class is no different. They have guys that can play and Strother is one of them. Just like with some of the other inside linebackers, Strother just has a nose for the football. He’s not just a one-trick pony either. He can get into the backfield in the blink of an eye but he also has the athleticism to drop back in pass defense. Strother has been on the radar since we started our 2025 coverage and for good reason.

Based on talent alone, Beggs linebacker DJ Strother DJ Strother 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Union | 2025 State OK is a top ten and maybe even a top five prospect. Strother has been one of the best linebackers in the state and one of the better defensive prospects overall when it comes to the 2025 class. However, when it comes to Strother as a prospect, we think his height might be a limitation. You see that with players at any of the positions. But again, we can’t stress this enough, Strother is an absolute game-wrecker. If he had a few more inches in the height column, we think he would be a top five prospect and would be getting attention as a national prospect. That’s just the way recruiting has been. Every time we’ve seen Strother in person, it seems like he’s added something to his game and is continuing to evolve as a prospect. And as we’ve mentioned plenty of times in other breakdowns, Beggs has a wealth of young talent and Strother is right there among that group.