Re-ranking the top linebackers in Texas is no easy task. With so many great players competing for a spot on this list, it was difficult to narrow it down to just ten. However, we believe that these are the very best of the best and they are definitely worth keeping an eye on this season.
As always, feel free to reach out and let us know your thoughts on the re-rankings. Did we get it right? Who would you move up or down? Let us know in the comments or on social media! Until next time, keep your eyes on these rising stars of Texas football. They’re sure to make an impact at the collegiate level and beyond.
Top 15
#15.Michael Sylvalie (24) | 6’3, 195 | LB | Clear Springs
Michael is a huge, athletic defensive tackle who can push the pocket and stuff running plays. He stands out because of his height and size compared to the position, and he is extremely athletic. He looks like he flashes speed and aggressiveness on the edge while playing well in space, but he can improve on a few parts of his game, such as being more physical at the point of attack according to his trainer.
#14.CJ Miller (24) | 5’11, 200 | LB | Anna
Miller appears to have the ability to be a strong middle linebacker who is athletic, can read plays, and covers the field. He has good technique in making tackles. Miller was a tackling machine last year, recording 131 tackles, 69 solo, 1 fumble recovery, 4 quarterback hurries, and 2 sacks. Who are some of the teams that have shown interest? Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Nebraska, and other schools have expressed interest in him.
#13.Tyler Cooks (24) | 6′, 200 | LB | Manvel
Cooks has one early offer to Georgia Tech, and we anticipate his scholarship interest will rise significantly with more tape. Cookes is a run-stopper who is able to sniff out plays, displays good lateral speed, and pursues the field sideline to sideline as a prospect. Keep an eye on this FBS caliber athlete who will be given the opportunity to improve his technique and muscle up. His value will only rise if he may clean up his technique and bulk up considerably.
#12.Braxton Jones (24) | 6’2, 235 | LB | Nacogdoches
Braxton has excellent sie and pursuit of the ball carrier. Can make big-time hits on the ball carrier and fly into the backfield for TFLs, as UTSA was the first to offer more film. With more tape, he may improve his recruiting stock.
#11.Greg London (24) | 6′, 185 | LB | Liberty-Eylau
Greg is a ferocious edge rusher with the ability to play pass rushing or drop back into coverage. Rushes off the edge effectively, and he appears to be a promising outside linebacker recruit to keep an eye on. One who requires more time in order to develop his physique and game; has received one scholarship offer from Arkansas State thus far.
#10.Devin Green (24) | 5’10, 190 | OLB, MLB | Timber Creek
Green is a player to keep an eye on. He has good open-field tackling skills and can easily slip past blockers into the backfield. I think he’s at his best at middle linebacker, where he can stuff gaps and prevent long gains from ever happening, as well as rack up lots of tackles per game. FBS caliber prospect with two excellent years of film under his belt thus far.
#9.Dakyus Brinkley (24) | 6’3, 220 | LB | Seven Lakes
Brinkley is an outstanding outside linebacker who should be highly regarded and ranked among the best in his class. He has a lengthy, athletic build with long arms and a solid frame. He can come flying off the edge, beat blockers with his speed, swim or hand moves, and/or drop back in coverage to shut down receivers. Shows the ability to trail receivers, get his head around, and make a play on the football. FBS talent that will blossom at the next level as he continues to mature and add more muscle to an already impressive physique.
#8.Kyland Reed (24) | 6’1, 190 | LB | Mansfield Summit
According to the experts, speed kills. Reed has plenty of it. His quickness on the edge, coupled with his lengthy body and arms, makes him a difficult to block for most. Reed might be considered a deadly edge rusher who uses some vicious hand moves in order to fend off blockers. He displays the ability to stand up or put his hand down depending on the situation. An FBS-level athlete who is deserving of all of the accolades he receives.
#7.Brandon Booker (24) | 6’1, 185 | MLB, OLB | DeSoto
Booker is a rangy linebacker who can stop the run while making an impact on the ball if it’s handed to him. He’s one of those big-time plays in the backfield for losses that appear easy, has a tall athletic build with lengthy arms, and is a strong open-field tackler. One who will be singularly beneficial to DeSoto for years to come and at the next level. Baylor, LSU, Texas Tech, and Toledo all extended offers to him.
#6.Kai Rigdon (24) | 6’2, 225 | LB | Ferris
Kai is a versatile offensive and defensive player who can play numerous positions on both sides of the ball. On Ferris, he’s shown that he can come off the edge and wreak havoc in backfields. One who can stand up and defend against the pass or shut down the run. Arizona, Jackson State, Northern Arizona, and other schools have expressed interest.
#5. Dakyus Brinkley (24) | 6-3, 220 | Edge, LB | Seven Lakes
Dakyus is an athlete and threat of the edge. He has a tremendous bend off the edge. Explosive speed and can play standing up at the outside or mid linebacker position and will be playing at a very high level for a long time to come. Holds some early offers to Texas and Texas A&M as well as others. Look for Brinkley to dominate for Seven Lakes this season.
#4.Ty’Anthony Smith (24) | 6’1, 185 | LB | Jasper
The third prospect is Anthony, an elite linebacker who will be on many recruiting boards. This is a unique player with excellent size, a slim build, who can cover the middle of the field or come off the edge and get after the quarterback or make a TFL. One offer from Texas Tech, but he will end up with 20-30 offers overall and be among the best in his class. Huge promise for future success at both the collegiate and professional levels.
#3.Brandon Jones (24) | 6’1, 190 | MLB | South Oak Cliff
David Jones deserves all the accolades, praises, and greatest rankings available. He has a lean athletic build with long arms and can cover the field from sideline to sideline as a rangy defender for South Oak Cliff. Very physical at the point of attack, he can burst into the backfield and bat out quarterbacks in an instant with impressive speed and agility. Will be one unique player for years to come and has the ability to sniff out plays like no other. Holds offers from Arizona State, Louisville, and SMU.
#2.Payton Pierce (24) | 6’1, 225 | LB | Lovejoy
Payton is already at the next level in terms of size and ability. A versatile player who can play all over the field, middle linebacker, outside linebacker, edge, and even line him up in a wildcat formation on offense. His strength and athleticism are off the charts, with a mismatch on both sides of the ball. With a high motor, great pursuit and awareness to find his way to the quarterback or rack up TFLs against lesser competition. The future appears bright; he will bring immediate value to any program; and he has draft day potential.
#1.Colin Simmons (24) | 6’3, 210 | OLB, Edge | Duncanville
Collin has the size and athletic ability to be one of the best linebackers or edge rushers in the country. He has a tremendous explosion off the ball, and he can use his speed or power to defeat blockers. In pursuit of the ball, he demonstrates a strong motor as well. One who may be used off the edge or to cover out in space from time to time. Collin’s recruitment blew up this year and he currently holds 42 Division I scholarship offers from programs like Michigan State, SMU, TCU, Texas & Texas A&M among others.
Watchlist
Dillon Dixon (24) | 6’1, 215 | LB | North Shore
Jonah Bowman (24) | 6’2, 225 | LB | Rock Hill
Jeffrey Sekula (24) | 6’1, 200 | LB | Plano
Kabriel Anderson-Dale (24) | 5’10, 187 | LB | Harker Heights
Kaleb Blanton (24) | 6’1, 205 | LB | Manvel
So there you have it, the 2024 class of Texas high school football re-rankings for linebackers. These are some of the best in the state and will be sure to make an impact on their team’s success this season. Be sure to keep your eyes on.
