We don’t think that this is a bold statement by any means but Verdigris linebacker Reese Roller Reese Roller 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Verdigris | 2023 State OK has been the most productive linebacker in the state over the last three seasons. Roller quickly emerged as one of the most productive linebackers in Oklahoma as a sophomore. He continued to produce over the last two seasons and has been one of the best in recent memory at getting after the quarterback. Roller is also a smaller linebacker and because of that, he didn’t get recruited the way he should have been in our opinion. But UCO is getting one of the absolute best at his position.

One of the top linebackers in Oklahoma over the last three seasons has been Verdigris star Reese Roller Reese Roller 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Verdigris | 2023 State OK and there is no debating that. Look at the production on the field and Roller has lived in opposing backfields for the last three seasons. We think that Roller has proven himself time and time again and it hasn’t mattered who the opponent is on any given Friday night. Roller routinely beats his man and finds his way into the backfield. Is he undersized? Yes. But has it mattered? Not yet. We understand that taking an undersized prospect is a risk but the production should outweigh the potential risk for the next level. Roller has proved for three years now that he is one of the absolute best players at his position and should be high on the priority list.

You can’t argue with the fact that Verdigris senior linebacker Reese Roller Reese Roller 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Verdigris | 2023 State OK has been the most productive linebacker in the state over the last three seasons. In the last three years, Roller has 54 sacks and comes into this week with four games in his career where he has at least five sacks. In Verdigris’ shutout win over Cascia Hall, Roller finished with a career-high six sacks on the night. Roller has also been a goal line threat at the running back position. Over the last two seasons, Roller has 22 touchdowns on the ground. Roller is going to be incredibly important to slowing down Heritage Hall’s offense. The Chargers have the dynamic duo in the backfield and Roller’s ability to keep them in front of him is going to be huge for the Cardinals to pull off the win and finally punch their ticket to the state championship game.

Verdigris senior linebacker Reese Roller Reese Roller 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Verdigris | 2023 State OK has without a doubt been the most productive linebacker in Oklahoma over the last three seasons. Going into the playoffs, Roller has 52 sacks over the last three seasons and 58 for his career. For the third straight year, he has at least 15 sacks this season. He’s an absolute machine when it comes to getting into the backfield and bringing down the quarterback. It’s not just sacks either. Roller lives in the opposing backfield. He leads the team in tackles for loss by a wide margin. And in the last two seasons, Roller’s become a goal line back as well. This season, he’s hit the end zone eight times and doesn’t even have 200 yards rushing. He’s without a doubt their short-yardage back. But it’s what he does at linebacker that is so impactful and needs to be noticed.

We say this all the time when we’re writing about Verdigris senior linebacker Reese Roller Reese Roller 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Verdigris | 2023 State OK but it’s the truth. You won’t find a more productive linebacker than Roller over the last three seasons. And because of that, it’s mind-blowing that he doesn’t have more opportunities at the next level. This season, Roller already has eight sacks, leads the team in tackles for loss, and has become a goal line running back on offense. He leads the team in rushing touchdowns as well. On Thursday night, Roller and the Cardinals will welcome in Cascia Hall as Verdigris looks to bounce back following their upset loss to Bristow. Roller and the Verdigris defense will be in the spotlight as they face a Cascia offense that is not shy about what they want to do. They will run the ball and use three or four different players to get the job done. Get ready to see a few collisions in this one as both teams are still battling for the district title.