Today we are ranking some of the top linebackers in the 2023 cycle here in Texas. Surely these guys are some of the best the state has to offer and some are nationally ranked. Here is a look at some of the top linebackers that will be taking one last ride next season for their senior seasons.
#15. Kylan Salter (23) | 6’2 210 | OLB, MLB | Cedar Hill
Salter is a prospect to keep your eyes on who plays against some tough competition and is very physical in space tackling the ball carrier. Needs a few improvements to his game, the motor could be higher and disengaging from blockers. If corrected, looks like a solid FBS, Divison I prospect.
#14. Noah Boulieu (23) | 6’2 220 | LB | Lancaster
Noah has the size and skills to be an FBS/FCS caliber athlete coaches should know about. He reads plays well and can disengage blockers, shows adequate speed to the ball, and despite a few minor improvements to his game. He has the intangibles to make special.
#13.David Nico (23)| 6’1 185 | LB | Heights
Nico has excellent size and speed, and it doesn’t take a science whiz to know his mass plus velocity delivers some devastating blows. Shows he can get after the QB, and make some TFLs. Features a lengthy athletic frame with long arms.
#12.Grant Mirabal (23) | 6’2 220 | MLB | Argyle
Grant is a consistent tackler, has a few aspects of his game he can improve on, but reads plays well, makes some hits that will make you say “wow” on film, and can disengage blockers.
#11.Dylan Rogers (23)|6’3 230| MLB | Cy Woods
Dylan is one who made his name known last season, for his sound, fundamental play at the middle linebacker position. Reads well, can fill gaps, and has a lengthy frame he can continue to add more mass too.
#10.Brandon Myazono (23)| 6’2 210| LB | Frisco
Brandon is an athletics that can do it all, plays both ways, ( LB, QB, WR ), and is a phenomenal athlete but talents bear out on defense. Plays against the pass very well, can brake up passes, or make a ball carrier disengage from a catch in mid-air with vicious hits.
#9. Alex Kilgore (23) | 6’2 200 | LB | Paetow
Alex is a run-stopping middle linebacker with great size and speed, he is patient reading plays, but explosive to the ball carrier in the backfield or running towards the sideline.He can track them down. Holds 5 Division I offers, and helped Paetow to a state title with 106 tackles, 23 tfls, 10 sacks, 2 PBU’s, 1 FF, 2 FR and 1 INT.
#8.Dylan Brown-Turner (23)| 6’2 205 | OLB | South Oak Cliff
Dylan played middle linebacker well for his team on the way to a state title, showcasing his lengthy, athletic frame and ability to read the field and make plays on the ball. Can add more lean mass to frame, and pump up his motor to better his pursuit of the football.
#7.Tre Williams (23) | 6’2 | OLB, Edge | Parish Episcopal
Tre has the intangibles to be a dominant outside linebacker or edge rusher and fits well in a 3-4 scheme. Features a lengthy frame with long arms and uses his leverage to play very physically on the field. Holds 6 DI offers to schools like Arizona State, Colorado, Marshall, and others.
#6.Corey Kelly (23) | 6’4 210 | OLB, ATH | Clear Falls
Corey is a beast of an outside linebacker, that can bull rush of the edge, or drop back in coverage and make a play on the ball. Very versatile as an athlete on the field, can project to more of a hybrid DB position and dominate or stay at linebacker and have great success anywhere. 5 Division I offers.
#5.Christian Brathwaite (23)| 6’1 225 | LB | Cypress Ranch
Christian is a linebacker with great size, ability to read plays, and has the size and athleticism of a next-level athlete. Has 7 division I offers including Baylor, who might be at the forefront, Cal and Tennesse are among others to offer.
#4.Taurean York (23) | 6’0 220 | MLB | Temple
York features a lean, stout build, and man can he lay the lumber. Big-time hitter, a great open-field tackler and is one of the most aggressive linebackers on this list.UTSA, Baylor, and SMU have been the latest to offer.
#3.Derion Gullette (23)| 6’3 220 | LB | Marlin
Derion is an athlete, he plays both ways at Linebacker and wide receiver, so on defense, he can fly to the ball. He can cover out in space or come downhill and lay the lumber on ball carriers. Big-time hitter who has seen his recruitment take off.9 Division I offers from schools like Oregon, Notre Dame, and others.
#2.S’Maje Burrell (23)| 6’2 215 | MLB | North Crowley
A big hitter that can light up ball carriers, in 2021 he had 104 tackles, 13 tfls, and 5 sacks, 4 FF, & 3 FR. He can cover the entire field, play well against the run and pass, and make the big plays in the backfield look routine. Holds 19 Division I offers to schools like Ohio State, SMU, Texas, and USC to name a few.
#1.Anthony Hill Jr. (23)| 6’2 220 | LB | Denton Ryan
Hill is one of the best defenders in the nation. His speed, tremendous size, and strength are a combination that not many can stop. Shows he can fly’s into backfields to make TFLs and can cover sideline to sideline. Holds multiple p5 offers, will be dominant next season, at the next level, and possibly beyond.
