Whenever we’ve talked about Lincoln Christian, a lot of the attention usually goes to the offensive side of the ball and some of the skill players that they have on that side. This year, this Lincoln team is perfectly balanced between high-scoring offense and shutdown defense. It could be one of the better defensive units that has come through the school and that includes the last three teams that all made it to state title games. Leading the defense is senior linebacker Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Christian | 2023 State OK . We knew that Johnson was one of the better linebackers in the state’s 2023 class coming into this season but he continues to back it up every time he steps on the field. He’s second on the team in tackles and lives in the opponent’s backfield and is up there in tackles for loss. He leads a defense that swarms to the ball on every play.

Prior to the game, we had a spotlight on Lincoln Christian senior linebacker Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Christian | 2023 State OK as one of our players to watch coming into week nine. That was going to be the match-up to watch as we wanted to see Johnson, who leads the team in tackles and tackles for loss go up against Collins, who has been unstoppable in every game. We found out pretty quickly that Johnson and the rest of the Lincoln front seven was going to take the W there. Johnson is one of the better middle linebackers in the state and the production speaks for itself. He has decent size for his position and will need to play in the MLB spot at the next level, but he should play at the next level. The 2023 class at the linebacker position is absolutely loaded but Johnson has to be included among the best at that position.

In one of the best games of the week, and one that we’ll have live coverage from, 3A’s top ranked Lincoln Christian hits the highway to face off with #8 Muldrow. In a “battle of the Bulldogs”, Muldrow’s rushing attack will be on display behind their star Trenden Collins Trenden Collins 6'2" | ATH Muldrow | 2023 State OK , who is just 31 yards away from 2,000 yards on the season. Leading Lincoln’s defense will be senior linebacker Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Christian | 2023 State OK , who is the leading tackler and also leads the team in tackles for loss. When you look at Lincoln over the last decade, the one consistent thing has been their offense and passing attack. But this year’s version of the Bulldogs is a very balanced team between a high-scoring offense and a defense that can shut you out. Johnson and the Lincoln defense will face their toughest test this season when it comes to the running game. Nobody has been able to contain Collins so far this season. He’s had at least 200 yards in six games this year and his lowest output was 147 in their only loss this season.

We mentioned how Lincoln Christian has quite a bit of talent on that defensive side of the ball and here’s another example. 2023 linebacker Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Christian | 2023 State OK is one of the more underrated prospects in the state’s 2023 class. Look, the linebacker position is absolutely full of really good players this year but Johnson definitely belongs on that list and should be considered as such moving forward. He and the Lincoln Christian gave up just one touchdown in their win over Holland Hall in week zero. They’re facing a Jones team that has the potential to put up a lot of points behind a really strong passing attack. But Johnson and the Lincoln Christian front seven will attempt to make things very difficult for the Longhorns moving forward. In terms of 2023 prospects that are still available, Johnson is one of the best at the position.