Donovan Linthicum
Donovan Linthicum
About Donovan
Expert Analysis
Earnest Daniels | Prep Redzone Scout
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
might be flying under the radar, but his film says otherwise. The OakCrest standout brings elite burst downhill and consistently blows up plays before they develop. His instincts and quick first step allow him to shoot gaps and stay one step ahead of offenses. Add in his toughness, block-shedding ability, and knack for making solo stops in space, and you’ve got a linebacker built to rack up numbers. The Villanova commit has all the tools to lead New Jersey in solo tackles this season.
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Read EvaluationEarnest Daniels | Prep Redzone Scout
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
earns the superlative for Best Read-and-React Skills, and his film makes it clear why. At 5’11”, 215 pounds, he has a knack for diagnosing plays and triggering downhill precisely. His instincts consistently put him in the right place, often beating offensive linemen to the point of attack. He’s also a disciplined tackler in space, staying low and wrapping up effectively—an essential trait for any linebacker.
Ranked as the second-best linebacker in New Jersey’s 2026 class, Linthicum has the tools to push for the top spot. His ability to process plays and react quickly makes him a force in run defense. If he continues to develop in coverage, he could solidify himself as the most complete linebacker in his class. His skill set will become more valuable as the game trends toward physical, run-first football.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
Previous Overall Rank: 80
New Overall Rank: 34
New Positional Rank: 2
With great burst when blitzing, tremendous acceleration, and a commitment to making his run reads,
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
is a well coached prospect dating back to his youth days that has committed to strength and agility training – but do not take it from me, the proof is in the pudding. With clean reads and that burst, Linthicum gets through the line of scrimmage untouched – often – and does not miss tackles do to how low he gets. Sheer will is a part of Linthicum’s game too, as on film we see him as a backside linebacker that routinely beats playside teammates to the tackle.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
After leading the state in tackles as a sophomore, it should come as no surprise that Oakcrest’s
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
has put together some really nice film. Linthicum has a great burst, accelerating extremely well when called upon to blitz. I also like how he commits to taking his read steps and generates both force and power when tackling, and does so low. Capable of making clean reads and seeing things clearly, Linthicum has great speed to fill gaps as they open. Many times he is so quick to read that he gets through the line untouched. Perhaps more of an indictment on some of his teammates, Linthicum often beats many of them to the play when pushed along the perimeter.
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Read EvaluationJonathan Davalos | Prep Redzone Scout
One of the top linebacker targets in the state,
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
flew all over the field for Oakcrest this past fall. Donovan is the type of player that can blow up the play before it can even get started. Coming up with 23 tackles behind the line, Donovan is able to shoot the gap and bring pressure into the backfield as soon as the ball is snapped. With quick play recognition and ability to read the play early on, Donovan fills the hole and swallows up the runner. Donovan’s dominance showed this season with his 121 tackles and 4 sacks. Keep a close eye on this top prospect.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
Despite trying to spread the love, on a week-to-week basis Linthicum makes it really difficult for me to not call his name as a top performer. This week he left me with no options. Falling short in a 13-0 game against Cedar Creek, the sophomore – who might be more seasoned than some seniors at this point – had an incredible game. Linthicum made 21 tackles in the contest. Incredibly a total of 9 tackles went for a loss. With this performance Linthicum has made 104.5 tackles on the season and made 22 tackles for loss.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
Linthicum is the only underclassman, a sophomore for that matter, to make today’s watchlist. Oakcrest’s man-in-the-middle is atop the state’s tackling leaderboard with 57 tackles – 37 of which have been solo tackles. Linthicum also makes plays behind the line of scrimmage too, having made 9 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Something tells me that Linthicum will be on this list for the next several years.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
Yet another Falcon makes state headlines this week. While Oakcrest teammates
Aidan Oldfield
Aidan
Oldfield
6'4" | 220 lbs | DL
Oakcrest | 2025
State
NJ
and
Jaleel Williams
Jaleel
Williams
6'1" | 225 lbs | DL
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
tormented the opposing quarterback, it was Lithicum who suffocated Vineland’s running back. Lithicum finished the game with 17 total tackles, 2 for a loss, and was credited with 0.5 sacks on the afternoon. Like Williams, Lithicum is only a sophomore. Are big things on the horizon for Oakcrest in the very near future?
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Read EvaluationJonathan Davalos | Prep Redzone Scout
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
of St Augustine is one of those versatile defenders that doesn’t come around often. While he lined up at the linebacker position in 2022, he really could play multiple positions on the field. Another quick footed linebacker, Donovan is able to find his way to the ball carrier by shaking off would be blockers and eluding them with his quickness. With a very bright future ahead of him, Donovan is sure to get scout’s attention in 2023.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
This LB plays like a hermit and also for the Hermits. At 5’11” 205lbs St. Augustine enlists the services of
Donovan Linthicum
Donovan
Linthicum
5'11" | 215 lbs | LB
Oakcrest | 2026
State
NJ
who looks to protect the solitude of their home field.
Linthicum has clearly been playing LB for a very long time and has been coached up very well, for he makes crystal-clear reads. He moves with the snap both forward and in the direction the lineman’s feet take him. By the time he takes his second step, Linthicum appears to be at full speed blasting through a hole. With the ability to play either off the edge or in the middle, Linthicum takes on blockers with his hands so he can shed them, all the while maintaining his gap arm free to make a tackle. As great of a run stuffer he is, Linthicum’s film would benefit from including clips of him in pass coverage.
Linthicum has the potential to be one of the best pure run-stopping LBs in the class of 2026. Stay tuned to see how his prep career progresses and how he develops.
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