By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are many talented linebackers across our coverage area that features more than 60 teams. Below are some of the top linebackers to watch this season. This list is in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other SEVEN football watch lists. In an effort to highlight as many players as possible, A PLAYER CAN ONLY APPEAR ON ONE LIST.
The football watch lists we will be releasing are: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers/Tight Ends, Offensive Linemen, Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Breakout Players.
Linebackers to Watch
Brock Bruner, Fair Grove
This Fair Grove team is loaded with talent in the form of guys that could play at any level in Missouri and Bruner fits that mold. He was an all-stater as a junior, finishing with 17 tackles for a loss and eight sacks as a junior. He committed to SEMO after stacking several offers throughout the winter and spring. Opponents can also expect to see him with several touches offensively.
Parker Elliott, Ozark
Elliott is a true middle linebacker that is coming off a fantastic junior season that saw him total 136 tackles, and force three fumbles. The COC has seen more and more teams move away from traditional spread offenses, playing a physical brand of football and Elliott is about that action, neck roll and all. He was the MVP at the KC Varsity Combine and should have plenty of coaches following him this season.
Rolly Fisher, Forsyth
As a sophomore, he was the Mid-Lakes Defensive Player of the Year. As a junior, opposing offenses did everything they could to make sure he didn’t disrupt what they were trying to do. He finished with 97 tackles, a pair of forced and recovered fumbles and seven tackles for a loss, while also rushing for 19 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards. He’s a two-way guy but Forsyth being healthy should allow Fisher to focus more energy on leading the defense for what should be a historic season.
Noah Garrison, Sarcoxie
Garrison is unique in that he’s a small-school player with a transferable game and frame; if you swapped his jersey with anyone in the COC you wouldn’t blink twice. As a junior, he totaled 124 tackles and 13 tackles for a loss, starring as a downhill backer that loves making plays at the line of scrimmage. Garrison also rushed for 1,248 yards and 16 touchdowns on just 138 carries. He’s one of the most dynamic seniors in the area.
Trey Hardin, Neosho
He’s a little thinner than some of the backers on this list, but that’s also where the game has gone; coaches prefer linebackers with more athleticism and range. Hardin has both and at 6-foot-2 has legit closing speed while also being able to cover in space. As a junior, he had 120 tackles and five tackles for a loss. He will be the emotional leader for Neosho yet again.
Alex Judd, West Plains
Judd has led West Plains in tackles each of the last two seasons, earning All-Ozark Conference honors both years. As a junior, he finished with 115 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. His family DNA is no stranger to producing big-time athletes and he’s just the latest example. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds he has transferable size and athleticism, which is what will keep coaches coming to see him on Fridays.
Mason McCurry, Bolivar
McCurry is back after an all-state junior season and the things he does on the defensive side of the ball are just special. Think of Luke Kuechly. He can get after the passer, stop the run, cover in space and help erase any mistakes that happen along the way with closing speed. He will see more reps offensively this season at the skill positions.
Jacob Shinkarevich, Rogersville
As a sophomore he had 123 tackles, which was a team-high, but missed the majority of last year due to a torn ACL. He’s a high IQ linebacker that is a sure tackler and can also cover backs and tight ends. He looked great at SBU camp and Evangel has already offered. Expect a huge season from Shinkarevich.
Drake Murrell, Warsaw
Seeing guys double as a linebacker and receiver is rare at the high school level, but that’s what kind of athlete Murrell is. He led Warsaw’s district runner-up defense with 100 tackles, four sacks and a pair of interceptions. The all-stater can stuff the run as well as cover in space, which makes him a headache for opposing offenses.
Sterling Sederwall, Camdenton
His 125 tackles as a junior led Camdenton and earned him All-Ozark Conference honors. We won’t see as much of the Lakers now with the Ozark Conference splitting, but Sederwall is one of the most productive linebackers returning to high school football this fall.
Nik Thieman, Lockwood
8-man football is a different game and Thieman is a different player. He covers a ton of ground, hits anything that moves and is as versatile as they come. He could’ve gone on several different lists after finishing with 1,621 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. Defensively he added 96 tackles with 11.5 tackles for a loss and six interceptions. Along with Logan Pittsenbarger and Owen Patterson, this could be a special Lockwood group.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Everett Campbell, Salem
Ammon Crockett, Ash Grove
Matt Cutbirth, Aurora
Maddox Feagin, McDonald County
Will Funderburk, Branson
Brayden Kent, Rogersville
Roman Miller, Seneca
Hunter Morse, Cassville
Carter Pruitt, Marshfield
Ryder Ross, Strafford
Avery Starnes, Lebanon
