The Five Best LB Corps in Classes 6A and 5A

6A

Honorable Mention: Pearland Dawson

Last year’s 7-4 record was Pearland Dawson’s highest win total since 2021. And while coach Mike Allison is extremely proud of all the success his Eagles had, he knows they were a couple of plays away from more. Dawson lost one-score games to Pearland and Manvel in the regular season, then had a crushing loss to heavily favored Fort Bend Ridge Point 21-16 in the bi-district round.

This offseason, Allison has coined Ecclesiastes 4:12 as Pearland Dawson’s team verse. 

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three is not quickly broken.” (NIV).

The Eagles are stronger together – especially in the linebacker room.

That bible verse resonates with ILB Caden Exum (5-foot-11, 185), who spent all summer as a counselor at his church camp. A saint off the field, Exum is one bad man on it. He was a First Team All-District selection with 100 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles. Allison describes him as the unit’s leader.

OLB Kaleb Burks (6-foot, 180) was an Honorable Mention All-District selection and has only gotten bigger and stronger this offseason. Allison could not be higher on his work ethic and potential.

“He had a phenomenal season last year,” Allison said. “I think he was the best outside linebacker we had last year. He’s one of the top ones we’ve had at Dawson, honestly.”

As a sophomore in 2025, Clydell Edmondson (5-foot-11, 190) backed up All-District senior James Higgins. But his talent still garnered valuable playing time. He didn’t miss a single day of summer workouts.

The only time OLB Wealth Modique missed a summer workout was when he was qualifying for the Junior Olympics in the 100M hurdles and 300M hurdles. Modique looks to bring that explosive athleticism to the gridiron this fall. 

5. Lake Highlands

Lake Highlands graduates 44 seniors who were instrumental in the program going 9-3 in each of the last three seasons. But coach Cory Campbell is confident his linebacker crew will help the team maintain the same standard.

Senior inside backer Chris Theriot (6-foot-3, 200) is the unit’s leader. Theriot wasn’t just one of the state’s breakout stars last fall – he was a breakout star on his own team. After playing safety on the JV team as a sophomore, Theriot transitioned to linebacker for his first year on varsity. He went from not starting in Week 1 to winning District Defensive MVP with 92 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Campbell said Theriot’s transformation was a testament to defensive coordinator Anthony Pascuzzi coaching the inside linebackers, and Theriot’s natural instincts.

“The anticipation factor – covering sideline to sideline, redirecting when the quarterback pulls it down, recognizing a screen – is what really caught my eye early on,” Campbell said.

Theriot has received offseason offers from East Central, Millsaps, Washburn, and Henderson State. But he’s not the only college-bound linebacker in the rotation.

Junior outside backer Israel Samuel (6-foot-3, 210) has Power Four offers spanning coast-to-coast after a breakout sophomore season with 63 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, interception, and defensive touchdown. After initially telling coaches he was a running back-only after his freshman year, Samuel shined after a whole-hearted jump to the defensive side. Campbell said that Lake Highlands’s odd front likes to spill everything to the outside linebackers, and Samuel is more than capable of cleaning up any mess.

“He’s just a great kid,” Campbell said. “I think he’s got over 30 P4 offers now. It’s everything from Oregon to Alabama, A&M, Texas, to USC. But he stays really grounded. It doesn’t really affect him, and that kind of goes back to his character.”

Fellow junior Beckett Paul (5-foot-11, 185) had a breakout year himself at inside linebacker, starting seven games as a sophomore and racking up 38 tackles and five tackles for loss. Paul tore his ACL in the bi-district playoff game, but Campbell said he’s worked tremendously hard this offseason to be ready by Week 2 or 3. Look for senior Jude Smith to fill in early.

Junior outside backer Lakai Wyatt (6-foot, 190) looks to live up to his family’s name at Lake Highlands. His brother, Lloyd, was a three-year starter at safety and signed to Henderson State. Campbell said the early returns are promising after Lakai had a great offseason.

4. Midland Lee

Midland Lee has made at least the second round of the playoffs every season since 2021. But the streak that coach Clint Hartman is focused on is two years without a district title. He believes his Rebels have the goods to reclaim the crown. His confidence starts with the linebacker duo of David Ihediwa and Lorenzo Carrillo.

Ihediwa (5-foot-10, 195) earned District Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore. Hartman describes him as a ‘Where’s Waldo?’ type of player who can line up at Mike, Sam, or Will linebacker. Entering his junior season, Hartman says Ihediwa is beginning to enter the Matrix phase of his career – the game is slowing down. Recently in practice when the offense ran a Run-Pass Option play, Ihediwa had a perfect run fit that forced a pass read, then batted down the slant route pass. 

“I’ve coached Division 1 linebackers like Marcus Richardson (Oklahoma State), Donnie Baggs (Texas A&M), Trevon Randle (LSU), and Wesley Smith (Texas Tech),” Hartman said. “David is in those categories. He has that ability and can turn a game by himself.”

Hartman says Carrillo (5-foot-9, 192) is the ‘Silent Assassin’ of Midland Lee’s defense. While more of a prototypical inside linebacker with a 500-pound squat, Carrillo has the versatility to play either Sam or Will as well. He was the Preseason District Defensive MVP in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.

3. Lewisville

I talk to a lot of coaches for these position group rankings. I’ve rarely, if ever, heard a coach with such effusive praise for one play like Lewisville head coach Michael Odle had for LB Devin Robinson.

“Devin Robinson is one of the best football players I’ve been around,” Odle said. “Watching him in middle school and freshman year, he was just the best player on the field. It was like, you don’t even know what’s going on. All of a sudden there’s this massive collision, and the ball’s flying out.”

Robinson (5-foot-11, 195) is a hybrid nickel safety/outside linebacker who earned Unanimous First Team All-District honors as a junior with 111 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries. The team calls him ‘Green Dot’ after the helmet decal the defensive captain wears in the NFL that allows a coach to communicate with him. Odle might not be able to talk directly into Robinson’s headset, but they almost share the same brain anyway. Robinson checks Lewisville into all their formations and diagnoses the play almost instantly. He is a team captain committed to Sam Houston.

Javar Currington (6-foot, 215) was another Unanimous First Team All-District selection with 77 total tackles, 11 TFL, two sacks, and a forced fumble. As an inside linebacker who likes to play the run, Currington is the perfect complement to Robinson’s range in the passing game. Odle says that Currington arrives at the ball carrier with bad intentions, often popping the ball loose in the process.

“Javar Currington is exactly how you would draw up a Mike linebacker at 6-foot-plus, 215-pounds-plus,” Odle said. “He is a physical thumper. I mean, he strikes people. He’s slippery, so he’s hard to block.”

When Currington missed the season opener last year, LJ Lawrence filled in admirably. He earned Player of the Game in a win over Mansfield Summit, making multiple fourth-down stops and recovering a fumble. Look for Donovan Burrell to make a big impact after an incredible offseason. Burrell will also be Lewisville’s deep snapper.

“He’s as smart a player as we’ve got,” Odle said. “He’s always in the right spots. He is an amazing teammate and a guy who's taken a lot of First Team reps because he’s so smart.”

2. Spring Westfield

Spring Westfield has won at least a share of five consecutive district championships, but coach Desmar Black knows the 2025 campaign was not up to the program’s meteorically high standard. The Mustangs’ 6-5 record was the lowest win total since 2010. But Black, the program’s longtime defensive coordinator before ascending to head coach in 2024, expects a bounce-back year with this linebacking corps.

Mike linebacker Davon Smith (5-foot-11, 220) is a three-year starter and reigning District Defensive MVP after racking up 121 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, and a defensive touchdown. Black says the Arizona commit is like a quarterback on the field. Sometimes, the coach is convinced they’re sharing the same brain. That football IQ, combined with Smith’s all-around athleticism, draws some high praise.

“Across the board, he’s one of the very best we’ve had, for sure,” Black said. “And we’ve had a lot of them.”

Twin brothers Jaylin and Jordin Jones are both Sacramento State commits who cause equal amounts of destruction to opposing offenses. Jaylin Jones (6-foot-2, 220) is an outside linebacker and hybrid edge rusher who earned First Team All-District accolades with 90 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Black says that his length on the edges – and ability to shed blocks – negates other teams’ speed. Jordin Jones (6-foot-2, 225), meanwhile, led the district with 12.5 sacks as a defensive end/hybrid edge rusher. He also had 107 tackles, including 23 for loss. 

OLB/Nickel Kaden Jacobs (5-foot-10, 187) was described as a Swiss Army Knife player at the Star position. He earned First Team All-District accolades with 55 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception.

1. Fort Bend Ridge Point

Today, the multiple odd “3-3-5” defensive formation that Fort Bend Ridge Point runs is en vogue. But back at Lamar Consolidated in 2017, coach Rick LaFavers was the first guy in Houston to run it. His team was a combined 4-24 in his first three years as head coach. That January, an Iowa State assistant coach visiting campus showed him the 3-3-5 defensive formation they’d unveiled during a bye week that season. LaFavers implemented the defense for his own team and went 7-4 and 9-3 in his final two years. Now, he’s unleashed the defense at Fort Bend Ridge Point, winning double-digit games in four of his six seasons at the helm.

“In high school, you have a bunch of skill guys that can run,” LaFavers said. “You don’t get the big linebackers and big defensive linemen year-in and year-out. It’s a way to kind of get the best speed out there on the field.” 

Brayden Bonik (6-foot-1, 195) was built in a lab to shine in the 3-3-5. The rising junior is a DCTX four-star with over 40 offers. College coaches are split on his future position: some see running back, others see defensive back, and multiple even envision him as a hybrid linebacker/nickel. Wherever he lines up, he’s a freakin’ football player.

“He is just a relentless competitor,” LaFavers said. “All he sees is Red. There’s no neutral in him.” 

Bonik rotates between outside linebacker and the “Rover” high safety in Fort Bend Ridge Point’s defense. He earned District Defensive Newcomer of the Year last fall with 58 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.

“He plays bigger than he is,” LaFavers said. “He’s extremely violent, physical, and fast. Those are all the components of a good linebacker.”

If Bonik has all the components of a good linebacker, senior Dyllon Bennett (6-foot, 220) has all the components of the ultimate leader. A four-year starter, LaFavers said he’s almost 100 percent certain Bennett will become the first-ever three-year captain when the Fort Bend Ridge Point team votes on it after the season. He’s the type of guy who commanded respect from last year’s senior class despite being a year younger than they were. LaFavers 

“This last spring practice, if the defense did something wrong – let’s say someone jumped offside or they made a wrong call – the coaches would point it out and chew on them,” LaFavers said. “Then, Dyllon would take them over and tell them to get it chopping. He would make the entire defense or whatever position group do up-downs. So he was like a mini-coach. And nobody questions it! They just do it.”

Bennett, a Hampton University commit, is the only inside linebacker in Ridge Point’s base formation. He was a unanimous First Team All-District selection with 77 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two sacks. Bennett possesses the rare ability to beat you up in a phone booth and also chase you from sideline to sideline.

Khalen Taylor may be a rising junior, but he is already the most physically intimidating linebacker on Ridge Point’s roster. Taylor, whose father, Herb, played offensive line for TCU and the Kansas City Chiefs, has already shot up to 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He also runs a fully automatic 11.3-second 100m dash. That’s a scary thought for opposing offensive tackles when Taylor is rushing off the edge – or for Ridge Point’s scout team. 

“He has the same mentality as Bonik,” LaFavers said. “I have to put the reins on them sometimes because they’re 100 miles per hour in practice, and sometimes I don’t need that because I’m trying to keep guys healthy. They only know one speed.”

Aaron Williams (6-foot-2, 208), a North Carolina commit, has been recruited as a safety, but he plays with a linebacker’s mentality as the “Rover” middle safety in Ridge Point’s defense. He also can switch with Bonik at outside linebacker. Keep an eye on rising sophomore Trey Moore (6-foot-2, 205), an outside linebacker who already has offers to Baylor and Tulane.

5A

5. South Oak Cliff

South Oak Cliff has one of the most impactful assistant coaching changes in the state. The Golden Bears bid adieu to longtime defensive coordinator Kyle Ward after five consecutive state championship trips. Ward is now the cornerbacks coach at SMU. South Oak Cliff promoted from within, elevating linebackers coach Domenic Spencer. But Jason Todd is confident the new DC in SOC can get the Golden Bears back to Jerry World. Todd coached Spencer at Dallas Skyline, and Spencer (UCF) is part of an alumni of 25-plus Division I linebackers mentored by Todd. Spencer seeks to start his own pipeline in 2026.

It starts with Cody Smith. He may be just a junior, but he’s already got the football – and life experience – of a grown man. Coaches say he was able to start all 16 games in a state championship sophomore season, battling the best teams in Texas, because nothing on the football field is as hard as the road he traveled to get there. Smith lost both his parents at a young age and is now the man of a one-bedroom house he shares with his grandmother. Smith has overcome the difficult hand life has dealt him to earn a state championship trophy and multiple college offers (Baylor, SMU, and Washington, to name a few) ahead of his junior year.

Fellow junior Baylen Brannon is transitioning this offseason from wide receiver to linebacker, and the early returns have been exceptional. Brannon led South Oak Cliff in interceptions during the spring 7-on-7 circuit, and picked up five offers during spring football practice. 

Hybrid edge rusher Landyn Dellums (6-foot-3, 200) could be another breakout star for the group. He already has offers to Washington and Ole Miss ahead of his sophomore year. Coaches say he has all of the physical tools to be the next great linebacker at South Oak Cliff. He will play some stand-up defensive end as a sophomore, as well, just as Baylor signee State Championship Game Defensive MVP Jamarion Phillips did.

4. Port Arthur Memorial

Port Arthur Memorial is coming off its best season in program history and saying goodbye to All-State linebacker Tank King (Texas A&M). But don’t expect any drop-off in the linebacker room. Coach Brian Morgan says he has seven excellent football players to fill four linebacker spots.

OLB Ja’Marquis Hudson (6-foot-2, 200) is the headliner. The Kansas commit is the No.4-ranked outside linebacker in the DCTX Hot 100. Hudson was a First Team All-District selection in 2025 with 105 tackles, 12 sacks, and four interceptions. Morgan describes him as a physical freak who plays angry on the field but takes care of business in the classroom off of it. He will graduate a semester early.

“He’s a Port Arthur kid – rough by nature but loves football,” Morgan said.

ILB Shies Harrison (6-foot, 190) was a Second Team All-District selection with 90 tackles and six sacks. Morgan describes him as physical, physical, physical. The only thing more impressive than his toughness is his booming voice. Morgan says you can hear him from a mile away.

Junior OLB Marcus White (6-foot-1, 190) backed up King last year, but every time he got in the game, he made plays. White finished with four sacks, which Morgan says is only a glimpse of what is to come. He has similar physical tools to Hudson – and a similar ceiling.

“He’s special,” Morgan said. “He’s going to be a Division I football player. We just had two great ones last year.”

Sophomore Jermire Roberts Jr. (6-foot-3, 185) is slated to back up Hudson, but he could force his way onto the field at another position because of how gifted he is. His uncle is Elandon Roberts, a two-time Super Bowl champion who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders. His father played football at Iowa, and his mother ran track at LSU. 

Fellow sophomore Ay’Den Jackson (5-foot-11, 185) has made waves in Port Arthur Memorial’s offseason workouts as well. After playing running back in middle school, Jackson is showing big-time potential on defense. 

“He’s gonna be a dude at inside linebacker,” Morgan said. “We have two seniors, but he’s going to play this year. He’s already put together physically. He’s weight-room-strong and football-savvy.”

3. Mount Pleasant

Last year was Mount Pleasant’s first second-round playoff berth since 1998. Coach Joe Cluley believes his Tigers can make the playoffs again with a strong senior class – and one of the state’s best linebacker corps. 

MLB Lincoln Dyke has the physical and mental maturity of a senior, which is why Cluley has to pinch himself as a reminder he has the junior linebacker for two more seasons. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker is ranked third in his graduating class. While the players get an abbreviated game plan every week, Dyke gets the full coaches’ version.

“Honestly, you could give him the game plan and say, ‘Hey, you got it this week.’ And he could run it,” Dyke said.

Dyke was a First Team All-District selection with 126 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and one sack. He’s piled up offers to Texas Tech, Baylor, and SMU  this offseason. But Cluley says the linebacker is far from satisfied.

“As much as we hold our kids accountable, Lincoln is one of those kids who holds himself accountable to the highest of standards. When he makes a mistake, you’re going to know whether you saw it or not, because he’s going to come tell you about it and tell you he’s about to get it fixed.”  

Dyke is built like the picture-perfect Mike linebacker. But Cluley says if he could build the perfect East Texas football player in a lab, he’d come out looking like senior OLB Brandon McCoo (6-foot, 198). McCoo was a First Team All-District outside linebacker last season with 54 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception. This fall, he’ll shift into the RB1 role after coming on late in the season with 72 carries for 655 yards and eight touchdowns. Look for him to play 100 miles per hour whether he’s on offense or defense.

“If he does something wrong, he’s playing so hard that it somehow becomes right,” Cluley said. “He’s a relentless football player.”

Cooper Rider (5-foot-11, 180) might have the most unique story of any Class 5A linebacker. He started his career as a B-team middle school player, then improved so rapidly that he became a sophomore starter on varsity. Last fall, he earned First Team All-District honors with 75 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks, and an interception. But he’s also a state qualifying pole vaulter, and could have a college career long-snapping. Cluley says Mount Pleasant’s punter will be able to stand 15 yards back, which he’s never been able to do.

“Cooper is as physical a kid as I’ve ever coached,” Cluley said. “He would rather take on the lead blocker head up than make the tackle. He’s the one you’ve got to reel back in practice like, ‘Dude, we’ve got to have the rest of these guys to play the other snaps on Friday.’”

Cluley says the sophomore Bryan Robles was a revelation during spring football. Slated as the third-string running back, Robles instead tried inside linebacker and flourished. His physical play and athletic gifts could make him a starter.

2. Denton Ryan

Shane Tolleson, who won a state championship as Denton Ryan’s defensive coordinator, is back in the Navy and Red after rebuilding Waxahachie into a state power. With eight returning starters on defense, his unit could blossom into a vintage Raider defense by season’s end.

Demari Ruth and Kaden Tolleson were both TSWA All-State selections a year ago. Ruth (6-foot, 245) is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher who earned First Team All-District honors with 130 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. He’s notched offers this offseason from Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M, among others. Kaden (5-foot-10, 200), Tolleson’s son, was a First Team All-District selection at Waxahachie in last year’s ‘11-6A District of Doom.’ He had 109 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks, and five forced fumbles. Tolleson, the first ‘Here’s a Guy’ in the Class of 2027 by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, committed to North Texas this offseason.

Tolleson will pair at inside linebacker with Timothy Johnson (5-foot-11, 185). Johnson was a Second Team All-District selection.

1. Pflugerville Weiss

Pflugerville Weiss head coach Malcolm Hill was named one of the ten best first-year head coaches after guiding the Wolves to a 10-3 record last season. But Hill is confident his team can be even better this year after a full offseason (he was hired in June of last year) and with this linebacking corps.

“If we were in a dark alley, I’m calling every one of them,” Hill said.

It starts with Noah McPeak and Tylan Henderson at inside linebacker, whom Hill dubs the “Super Smash Bros.” Hill calls McPeak (6-foot, 205) ‘one of the state’s best linebackers’ and says he’s the senior captain of the defense. McPeak, a DCTX three-star, had 148 tackles, nine forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks, and two defensive touchdowns in 2025. 

“The way that people respond to him is very respectable,” Hill said. “The way that his teammates look at him, the way coaches speak about him – both here and on other teams – I think is something that should be revered. It’s something we talk about as a staff. We want players like that.”

Henderson (6-foot-1, 211) started his career at running back but has blossomed into a DCTX four-star at linebacker. The First Team All-District selection had 113 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. 

“I ain’t gonna lie, his parents made him into a monster,” Hill said. “Shout out to his folks for getting the gene pool correct. Tylan is fast and strong. He doesn’t say much – he’s a football guy.” 

Another guy who was raised the right way is Reagan “Pastor Rea” Smith (6-foot-3, 220). The First Team All-District pick had 70 tackles and four sacks, but he was voted a team captain for his impeccable character. 

“He’ll come to practice, be at every school event, then go lead worship services on Tuesday at his youth group,” Hill said. “He’ll serve on Sunday after he goes to service, then be in the film room right after that.”

Nick Coffman (5-foot-11, 180) also prompts ‘How does he do it?’ remarks, just in a different way. Coffman played a game-and-a-half last season on a broken tibia, showing immense physical toughness. He finished the injury-shortened season with 52 tackles and three tackles for loss.

Nick Richardson was described as a young pup and the next guy up in Pflugerville Weiss’s pipeline.