Inside the Huddle-Linebackers

With the spread offenses popping up all over the high school football landscape the linebacker position has fallen off the map. It has become tougher every year to find quality linebackers. With the transfer into IMG Rahshaun Smith has helped the position out immensely this year. Smith brings a big linebacker to the table that has not only size but speed as well. There are some other quality linebackers this season as well. 

1-Rashaun Smith-IMG Academy-6’2-230-(Committed to Clemson) you turn on Smith film and he can line up anywhere on the field and make an impact. You can line him up at middle linebacker and drop him into coverage. You can line him up on the outside and use him as a rush end. He has very good instincts and Smith makes plays. When he hits a defender they go down. (Comparison: Patrick Willis)

2-Shaquille Quarterman-Oakleaf-6’1-240-(Committed to Miami)-Shaquille is a MIKE/ILB at the next level. You want him playing between the tackles and going downhill. He has enough speed and quickness to get to the edge. He has good instincts and always seems to be around the football. He is also very physical and can take on blockers. He does a good job of finding the ball carrier and bringing them down. (Comparison: Jeff Luc)

3-Emmett Rice-Miami Norland-6’3-190-(Committed to Florida State) Rice is part of a defense that could be one of the best in Dade County this year. He is a side line to sideline linebacker. He is very active and there are few backers that run as well as him. With more teams playing spread players like Rice can be put in space and not be a liability. (Comparison: Jermaine Grace)

4-Zach McCloud-Santaluces-6’2-215-(Committed to Miami) McCloud gives you a linebacker with great length. He has long arms and a wide frame. He will easily be able to put on another 20-25 pounds and keep his speed and quickness. He is a guy that plays inside but we could see him being a SAM backer in college. He has the size and speed to match up with a tight end in space. He can also come off the edge and be used as a speed rusher. (Comparison: Lawrence Timmons) 

5–Jonathan Jones-Oakridge-6’1-210-Jones is one of the more physically impressive looking linebackers we saw in person last year. His frame should allow him to carry close to 235-240 pounds in college. Jones plays inside but could move outside in college. What we like about him is how violent he plays the game. He also has a quick burst to the football. (Comparison: Lavonta David) 

6-Michael Pinckney-Jacksonville Raines-6’0-215-Michael has been on the radar for three years now. We first saw him as a sophomore and he was already one of the better   linebackers in Florida. He has a knack for making the big play. Pickney is very active and is not easy to block. He has good instincts. He is also a good blitzing linebacker. (Comparison: London Fletcher)

7-Devin Bush-Flanagan-5’11-225-If he name sounds familiar it should. His father Devin played high school football in Miami before going off to Florida State. He is not the tallest linebacker but Bush makes up for with his football instincts. He knows how to find the football. He is best suited to playing in the middle and going downhill. He is a guy that plays best between the tackles. He is very active and makes a ton of plays for Flanagan defense. (Comparison: HB Blades)

8-Vosean Joseph-Miami Norland-6’2-210-(Committed to Florida)-Joseph plays with Rice to gives Norland two the best linebackers on one team. Vosean is a little thicker than Rice. He is a guy that does well playing downhill. You put him close to the line of scrimmage and ask him to get after the quarterback. He is also very good at timing the blitz and getting through the line of scrimmage. He can be moved around and make plays where ever you line him up. (Comparison: Jon Bostic)

9-Donovan Thompson-Miami Central-5’11-215-Thompson is one of the most underrated players in this year’s class. Thompson is a guy that goes off to college and everyone wants to know how he was not recruited harder. He has a good nose for the football and is always around the ball. He is best suited to playing the run. He can drop into coverage but that is not the strength of his game. (Comparison: Arthur Brown)

10-Shemar Smith-Miami Jackson-6’2-210-(Committed to FAU)-Smith plays a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker for Miami Jackson. He is a guy that is best suited rushing the passer. Get him on the edge and let him go. He is explosive off the edge and can get pressure on the quarterback. He needs to show the ability to be able to drop back into coverage. (Comparison: DJ Williams)

11-Greg Simmons-Fort Pierce Central-6’2-225-(Committed to Miami)-Simmons is a prospect we expect to grow into a defensive end. He has the body to get into the 245-250 pound range. He is not a guy that you will drop into coverage. He seems to be best suited to playing downhill and trying to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. 

12-Dominique Ross-Trinity Christian-6’3-200- Ross is a long, athletic linebacker/defensive end. He is used to get pressure on the quarterback. His ability to get up the field quickly and into the backfield will make him a priority for some teams. He has a quick first step which allows him to get by slow footed tackles. He does a very good job of backside pursuit. He is a guy that if you try and run away from you will not have much success. Question is can he drop back into coverage. If he can then Ross could end up a very good SAM backer. (Comparison: Khalil Mack) 

13-Micario Stanley-North Ft Myers-6’1-245-(Committed to USF)-There is no question that he is one of the bigger MIKE backers in Florida this year. He is used as a blitzing backer. He is asked to put constant pressure on the opposing offense. He can drop back into coverage but that is not strength of his game. 

Don’t Overlook: Jango Glackin-IMG Academy-6’2-210, Brock Miller-John Carroll-6’3-210, Bryce Handy-Columbus-6’0-215, Gee Stanley-Coral Gables-6’2-190, Dallas Jeanty-Ft Lauderdale-6’0-210, Kelvin Broome-Lakeland-5’11-210, Trey Sutton-Westminster-6’0-215, Kenneth Ruff-Dillard-6’1-240, Jon Pollack-Dr. Phillips-5’11-230-(Committed to Rutgers).