Leading up to the 2025 season, AL.com is highlighting the top high school football players in Alabama.

Our first statewide list focused on the best running backs in 6A, our second list focused on the best defensive linemen in 6A, our third list focused on the best wide receivers in 6A, and our fourth list focused on the best tight ends in 6A. Our fifth list focuses on the best linebackers in 6A.

We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.

If you are an Alabama high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email [email protected] or [email protected]. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.

BEST LINEBACKERS, ALABAMA 6A

Will Abrams, jr., St. Paul’s Episcopal School

Abrams is a weapon as a running back, but his biggest contributions come on defense — he has more than 150 tackles and four takeaways in high school, and he brings an old-school linebacker mentality to the middle of the Saints’ defense. “I would describe my game as hard-nosed and physical,” Abrams said. “Being confident in my reads allows me to play fast and create that strike at the point of contact. When I tackle, I tackle with intention — I want you to feel it.” As he enters his upperclassman years, Abrams said he is working to become more of a leader. “In my previous two years, I never had to lead and be that vocal guy — I just played and let my game talk,” he said. “Now that I’m in that role, it was definitely uncomfortable at first, but I think since these guys have seen me do it, they’re responding well to me.” Abrams has several college offers, including from Georgia Tech, Michigan and Mississippi.

Benji Augsburger, sr., Pelham

Augsburger is a physical player who battled injuries last season. If he’s fully healthy as a senior? “Look out,” Panthers coach Ross Newton said. Augsburger and classmate Joe Hampton will make for an intimidating linebacker tandem for Pelham’s opponents. “He’s willing to mix it up between the tackles and quick enough to run with receivers in the pass game,” Hampton said of his teammate.

Phillip “Trey” Blanding, sr., McAdory

Blanding is an important chess piece in the Yellowjackets’ defense. “He’s very versatile — can fit in the run game and cover,” McAdory junior wide receiver Carter Feagin said. Blanding also helps by filling a leadership role on the team. “A vocal player on defense,” Feagin said.

Rufus Boone Jr., sr., Pike Road

Boone did a little of everything for the Patriots as a junior, recording 152 tackles (12 for loss), two sacks, an interception and a blocked punt — and even throwing a touchdown pass. He models his game after a certain Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker. “I try to make my play style as close to Ray Lewis’ as possible,” Boone said. “He had that aggressive mindset and is a natural-born leader, which is what you have to be as a linebacker.” Boone has received several college offers in recent months, including from Alabama A&M, Central Arkansas, North Alabama and West Alabama.

Keenan Britt, sr., Oxford

Britt was a first-team all-state pick by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after his junior season. He’s a versatile defender for the Yellow Jackets who projects as a linebacker in college. He committed to South Carolina. Auburn, Florida, Mississippi, Oregon, Tennessee and several other big-time programs were trying to get him. “Keenan plays with amazing effort and has played a ton of football for us, starting every year since his eighth-grade season,” Oxford coach Sam Adams said. Britt tallied 100 tackles last year.

JJ Bush, sr., Theodore

Bush, an Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team all-state defensive back in 2024, recently committed to Arkansas over LSU, Florida, Michigan, Missouri and others. He finished his junior season with 30 solo tackles, 39 assists, 22 tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception. He ran for 344 yards and six touchdowns on offense. “One of the best tacklers I have had to face,” Bobcats junior running back Kendrick Able Jr. said. “He is explosive every play. He reads plays very well.” Able is equally impressed with Bush’s team-first attitude. “JJ is a real-deal leader,” Able said. “He is a person who is about business. So much you can say about him. He looks for the betterment of the whole team.”

Chris Butler, sr., Gadsden City

Butler has been playing regularly for the varsity team since he was a freshman and starting since he was a sophomore. He had more than 120 tackles in 2023 and would have reached that total last season were it not for injuries. He still led the team in that category. “He plugs a lot of holes for us,” Titans senior quarterback Kai Franklin said. “He has great instincts, and he’s a very smart player.”

Austin Campbell, jr., Athens

Campbell won the 165-pound wrestling state title in February and helped lead the Golden Eagles to the team championship. He’s also an elite performer on the football field — he was the team’s leading tackler as a sophomore. “Savvy, instinctive player who finds a way,” Athens coach Cody Gross said.

Charles Chappelle, sr., Benjamin Russell

“A dominant force in the middle of the defense” is how Wildcats coach Kirk Johnson describes Chappelle, who tallied 114 tackles (15 for loss) last season for 5A champion Montgomery Catholic. Kingston Preyear has been Chappelle’s teammate at both schools and has seen first-hand the type of difference Chappelle can make for a team. “He’s a physical guy who can defend the run and pass game,” said Preyear, a sophomore quarterback. “He’s a great leader, and he knows what it takes to win the big games.”

Demaron Dunklin, sr., Saraland

Spartans coach Jeff Kelly said Dunklin is a versatile linebacker who can play sideline to sideline and is effective in coverage and in the blitz game. “Demaron plays with great intensity on every play,” Kelly said. “He has played in many big games.” In the spring, Dunklin received his first Division I offer — from Samford University.

Landon Everett, sr., Gulf Shores

Everett’s resume is impressive. He ranked among the state leaders last season with 178 tackles and was a first-team all-state choice by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He’s also a former wrestling state champion and a High School Scholar All-American with a 4.05 GPA. He committed to play football for Army.

Jiyez Fleming, jr., Oxford

Keenan Britt will be heading to the University of South Carolina after his senior season, but the Yellow Jackets still will have a superstar linebacker on their roster in 2026. Fleming recorded 143 tackles as a sophomore, but he gets even more excited when somebody else on the team makes a big play. “I’m going to put my teammates in positions to get the ball,” he said. “I’m not a selfish linebacker. I want everybody on my team to enjoy that feeling and be the best they can be.” He has offers from Arkansas State, Southern Mississippi and UAB, among others, but he still feels as though he’s a bit overlooked. “I just want to wake everybody up because a lot of people have been sleeping on me,” he said. “But I love playing the underdog role. After this season, everybody’s going to know who Jiyez Fleming is.”

Joe Hampton, sr., Pelham

Panthers coach Ross Newton said “General Joe” is known all around Pelham as a great leader. As for his play, Hampton is a high-motor, versatile defender who can line up all over the field. “He plays edge with the ability to play in space and put his hand down as a defensive end,” Newton said. Hampton has put on more muscle this offseason and said he has been working to improve his quickness, footwork and hand technique. “I believe I have the confidence and ability to make any stop at any time,” Hampton said. “I won’t be stopped by any one player getting in my way.” Hampton has five offers — including from Arkansas State and Florida A&M — and is hoping a big senior season will lead to more. “Ready to make one coach/recruiter out to be a genius once I get on campus,” he said.

Briston Hardy, jr., Chelsea

As a sophomore, Hardy led the Hornets in tackles with 128. He had 12 tackles for loss and five sacks and received all-region honorable mention from the Birmingham News. “He is the type of kid that is all over the field and never quits,” Chelsea coach Todd Cassity said. Added senior running back Chase Malone: “He makes acrobatic plays and is always in on the tackle.”

Jakari Harris, jr., Saraland

Jeff Kelly has been coaching for 22 years, so it’s high praise when he says “Jakari might be the best inside linebacker I’ve coached in a long time.” The Spartans coach describes Harris as a physical player who can cover. “He has a great knowledge of the game and uses that to get an advantage,” Kelly added. “He leads our defense and should have a huge year.” Kelly is contemplating ways to get Harris involved on offense this season.

Razarius Horn, jr., Bessemer City

Horn is listed at 5-foot-6, but Tigers coach Antonio Nelson said that’s irrelevant. “He plays like he’s 6-foot-3,” Nelson said. “His IQ is very high. He watches film. He studies film. He’s one of those kids who sees it, he diagnoses it, and he’s on it.” As a sophomore, Horn received all-region honorable mention from the Birmingham News. Nelson expects Horn will start to receive more interest from college programs in the next year. “Whoever goes and looks at him, they’d be crazy not to take him,” Nelson said. “Every coach will fall in love with this kid — from who he is, his demeanor, to how he affects people around him. His teammates love him. He’s just a phenomenal kid.”

MJ Johnson, jr., Muscle Shoals

Johnson proved himself to teammates after an injury forced him in the lineup during a key game as a sophomore. “He was the youngest player making big plays on the field,” Trojans senior cornerback Cam Hogans said. Johnson ended up recording 52 tackles (five for loss) for the season. “His strengths are his speed and his ability to make plays on the ball,” Hogans said.

Brionni Jones, jr., Muscle Shoals

Injuries forced Jones to take on more responsibility in the Trojans’ linebacking unit last season. He proved he was up to the challenge. “He showed up for the battle,” Muscle Shoals senior cornerback Cam Hogans said. “Showed he has a type of love for the game.” Jones finished the season with 84 tackles, including six for loss. “His strengths are meeting the running back in the hole and knocking him back and playing the underneath routes that the wideouts run,” Hogans said.

Casey Justice, jr., Decatur

The Red Raiders are excited about the addition of Dan Styles as defensive coordinator, and one of the veteran coach’s favorite pieces likely will be Justice. “Great motor and an old-school linebacker,” Decatur coach John Ritter said. Justice returned a fumble for a touchdown in a memorable 42-16 win at Columbia last October.

EJ Kerley Jr., sr., Spain Park

Kerley had 146 tackles last season, setting a Jaguars single-season record. He was a second-team all-state honoree by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. “One of the toughest players on the team,” Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes said. Kerley received an offer from UAB in January.

Miles Khatri, sr., Pike Road

Is there a better group of linebackers in the state than the one at Pike Road? Khatri was an Alabama Sports Writers Association second-team all-state pick for Montgomery Catholic after he helped the Knights win the 5A state championship in 2024, when he totaled 117 tackles (14 for loss) and four sacks. Khatri, who committed to West Virginia last month, joins fellow future college linebackers Rufus Boone Jr. and Braylon Outlaw with the Patriots.

Miller Lee, sr., Mountain Brook

Lee recorded 82 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions as a junior. “He is a leader and role model and will be an elite playmaker for us on the field,” Spartans senior center Rocco Gray said. “He is very vocal and makes sure everyone on the field is on the same page, and he keeps the team fired up.”

Cole Miles, sr., Hartselle

Miles is a three-year starter on defense as a hybrid linebacker/safety. He was an Alabama Sports Writers Association second-team all-state pick as a defensive back after totaling 77 tackles (44 solo), 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions last season. He also contributed on offense (279 yards and two touchdowns receiving) and special teams (seven kickoff returns for 146 yards). Despite all that, football might not be his best sport — he committed to play baseball for Jacksonville State.

Jeffrey Moorer, sr., Baldwin County

Tigers coach Andrew Davis is counting on Moorer to be the leader of the defense. “His size, speed and skill make him a dangerous player to defend off the edge,” Baldwin County senior quarterback Hayden Coley said. “Jeff is a first-one-in, last-one-out type of guy. He shows up every day and leads by example for the younger guys.”

Camrein Murray, sr., Russell County

Murray led the Warriors in tackles last season as an outside linebacker. An extremely smart player, he also serves a vital role as one of the team’s leaders. “He’s like a coach on the field,” Russell County coach Dillon Griggs said.

Cayden Oliver, sr., Decatur

“Bubba” is the Red Raiders’ team captain and defensive play-caller at middle linebacker. He totaled 131 tackles (seven for loss) last season and received honorable mention all-region by the Huntsville Times. Decatur coach John Ritter expects Oliver to “thrive” in new defensive coordinator Dan Styles’ 3-3 defense.

Braylon Outlaw, sr., Pike Road

Patriots coach Granger Shook isn’t shy about expressing his opinion of Outlaw’s place in the Alabama high school football landscape: “Best linebacker in the state.” Outlaw is the defensive leader for a team that reached the 6A semifinals last fall. He was a first-team all-state honoree by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after recording 147 tackles as a junior. He committed to Tennessee over Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Oregon, Purdue, South Carolina and many other major college programs that made him an offer.

Eldrick Paige, sr., Russell County

This will be Paige’s third season as a starting linebacker, and Warriors coach Dillon Griggs is expecting big things. “He plays the position like any linebackers coach would appreciate — with intent and violence,” Griggs said. “Eldrick is primed to have a big senior year.”

Kyan Parker-Crawford, sr., Theodore

Parker-Crawford is a transfer from Murphy. “He is what you call a human missile,” Bobcats junior running back Kendrick Able Jr. said. “He has incredible game speed — can go from sideline to sideline with a snap.” Able’s favorite thing about having Parker-Crawford as a teammate? Getting to test himself against Parker-Crawford multiple times every week. “When we go head-to-head at practice, it’s like Eddie George and Ray Lewis,” Able said.

Ayindae Pugh, sr., Saraland

Pugh makes it three linebackers on this list for the reigning 6A runner-up Spartans. Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said Pugh had a great junior season and is primed for even bigger things in 2025. “He is faster and more explosive that last year, and it shows in how he plays,” Kelly said. “As a senior, we will look for him to anchor a salty defense with the other linebackers.”

Jonathan Roberto, jr., Helena

Huskies coach Richie Busby considers Roberto the leader of the team’s defense. As a sophomore, he recorded 109 tackles, including eight for loss. “I would say my strengths are man coverage, physicality, instincts and motor,” Roberto said. “I take pride in reading offenses before the ball is snapped.” After receiving all-region honorable mention from the Birmingham News last year, Roberto said he’s spent the offseason working to improve his speed, explosiveness, strength and mental game. His first Division I offer came last month from Jacksonville State.

Porter Schott, sr., Chelsea

Schott racked up 118 tackles last year and received honorable mention all-region by the Birmingham News. “Porter is one of the best linebackers I have had the pleasure to coach,” said Hornets coach Todd Cassity, who is entering his 28th season as a football coach. “He won the 215-pound state championship in wrestling, which shows his ability to do whatever it takes to dominate his opponent.” Schott has a 4.39 GPA. “He expects the best in the classroom as well as on the field,” Cassity said.

Benny Seibert, sr., Athens

Seibert has played linebacker and defensive end for the Golden Eagles. He’ll make the move to full-time outside linebacker this season. “Extremely intelligent,” Athens coach Cody Gross said. “He is one of our fastest players as well as one of the strongest players on our team.” Seibert recorded nine tackles for loss and five sacks as a junior.

Telly Simmons, jr., Hueytown

Golden Gophers coach Greg Patterson calls Simmons “a new-generation inside linebacker.” Simmons is 6-foot-2 and weighs 220 pounds. “He has the size and speed on this level to handle the physical demands of playing inside of the box as well as being an apex player situationally,” Simmons said. “Telly also showed promise as an adjuster, being able to walk down and play edge as a 9- and 5-technique. There was no fall-off between him and our every-down ends in terms of setting the edge in the run game, rushing the passer or attacking pullers.” Simmons had 49 tackles (three for loss) as a sophomore. He has more than 20 Division I offers.

Donovan “Dj” Verges, jr., Pell City

Verges also is a standout running back, but he’ll likely play linebacker at the next level — Jacksonville State, Liberty, Southern Mississippi and UAB are among the college programs that have made him an offer. He’s the leader on defense for the Panthers. “He is a playmaker,” Pell City junior quarterback Brody Gossett said. “He reads things very well and has very good vision on both sides of the ball.”

Xzavier Wright, sr., Gadsden City

A consummate team player, Wright’s focus never strays from doing whatever he’s asked to do to help the Titans win games. “We have a very great team at Gadsden City, especially defensively,” he said. “When I’m given my assignments, I like to just worry about that, so everything works out how it’s supposed to go on our side of the ball. Defense wins championships.” He has spent the offseason working to become a better tackler and a team leader, and Titans coach Ali Smith identified Wright as a potential breakthrough player in 2025. He recently received his first two college offers — from Lyon and Culver-Stockton. “Every opportunity is a blessing — truly,” Wright said.

Jamarcus Jackson, so., and Jordan Riley, jr., Brookwood

The Panthers could be a team on the rise with these two youngsters in the middle of the defense and getting carries on offense. Jackson got some playing time as a freshman. “I believe he will develop as a starter on defense and be one of the leaders in tackles for the team,” Brookwood coach Chris Foster said. And Riley? “I expect him to lead the defensive unit.”

Joshua Littleton, jr., Jeremiah Pouncy, jr., and Camarien Yow, sr., Calera

Second-year Eagles coach Scott Rials is feeling good about his linebackers with these three leading the way. Littleton is “physical and determined,” Rials said. Pouncy is “hard-nosed and a steady worker.” Yow? “Great player and a smart team leader.”

Isaiah “Zay” Brown and Quinten Lowe, jrs., Clay-Chalkville

Brown recorded 84 tackles last season, including eight for loss. He is known as a hard hitter. “I mean, he will knock somebody’s helmet off — which he did last year versus Pell City,” Cougars senior quarterback Aaron Frye said. Lowe is entering his first season as a starter. “He is also a very hard hitter who fills gaps well and has good speed,” Frye said. Both linebackers have an offer from Tennessee-Martin.

Luke Eldridge and Joey Luckianow, srs., Homewood

Eldridge and Luckianow are third-year starters who combined for 137 tackles last season. Eldridge plays inside; Luckianow plays outside. “Our years of varsity experience allow us to bring leadership and consistency to the field,” Luckianow said. “Our chemistry, communication and shared football experience allow for us to read plays faster and play physical, making it difficult for offenses to find a rhythm.”

JD Bonamy and Ta’karee Slaughter, srs., Spain Park

With Slaughter transferring from Clay-Chalkville to join Bonamy and Jaguars single-season tackles record-holder EJ Kerley Jr., Spain Park could have one of the state’s best linebacker units in 2025. Bonamy has “played a lot of football, he’s very smart, he gets us into the right plays,” Jaguars coach Tim Vakakes said. The coach has one word to describe Slaughter’s game: “Aggressive.”

Hayden Coleman, so., and Ricky Strong, jr., Theodore

Bobcats junior running back Kendrick Able Jr. is expecting big things from both linebackers this season. He considers Strong an integral piece of the team’s defense. “He is reliable, physical and determined,” Able said. “He is always willing to listen to anything a coach says to him.” As for Coleman? “Hardest player I ever had to block,” Able said. “He reads run very well and does not drop picks whatsoever.” Able said Coleman reminds him of Cam Pruitt, a 2024 Theodore graduate who plays for the University of Miami. “Hayden can turn third-and-2 into fourth-and-6,” Able said.

For complete coverage of Alabama high school football, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit AL.com’s high school sports section throughout the season.