Which ELITE programs like Ohio State could take a step BACK in 2025?
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2 minutes ago
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Top 20 linebackers in California high school football entering 2025
Top 20 linebackers in California high school football entering 2025 originally appeared on The Sporting News The Sporting News' preview for California's 2025 high school football season rolls on with a look at the state's top 20 linebackers. Following the top 20 are the names of 10 more LBs who were heavily considered for a top-20 ranking. With only 30 players mentioned, there are future Division 1 college players who are current high school standouts who didn't even make the cut – that's how deep the talent pool is. The primary criteria are production and team success relative to strength of schedule, awards for the 2024 season from other sources, and recruiting rankings/accolades. For two-way stars, contributions on offense may be noted but were not factored into the selections. 1. Dash Fifita, Santa Margarita – Sr. One of the toughest pound-for-pound defensive players in California and probably the whole nation. Fifita, a 3-star Arizona commit, won DPOY last year in the nation's toughest league as a 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior linebacker with 100 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception against arguably the most difficult schedule in high school football. 2. Shaun Scott, Mater Dei – Sr. The 4-star USC commit was second on the national champion with 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two interceptions as a junior. Scott might project better as an EDGE than a pure OLB going forward and could just easily make the defensive line list instead of linebackers. His other 22 offers included Ohio State, Michigan, Miami, Penn State, Texas, and Tennessee. 3. Jonathan McKinley Jr., Corona Centennial – Sr. The most productive defensive player for one of high school football's top programs, McKinley was the Big West League (Upper) Defensive Player of the Year with 10.5 sacks, 21 QB-hurries, 57 tackles, and a pick. Fluid between OLB and rush end, he's a 3-star Cal commit with 10 other offers including Boise State, SMU, Arizona State, Arizona, and UNLV. 4. Isaiah Phelps, Pacifica (Oxnard) – Jr. JOE LUMAYA/VENTURA COUNTY STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn As just a sophomore, Phelps racked up 174 tackles (eight for loss), five sacks, and two interceptions to help lead Pacifica to a CIF-SS D4 title and the 2-AA state finals. He also managed to play a major role at running back with 767 yards and seven touchdowns rushing to go with four catches for 33 yards and a TD. Phelps is a 4-star recruit with 23 offers that include Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, and USC, and enters his junior year with 268 tackles, 16 TFLs, and four picks. 5. Tristan Phillips, Ventura – Sr. JOE LUMAYA/VENTURA COUNTY STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn California's top-ranked senior linebacker per 247Sports. The 4-star Oregon commit enters his senior year with career totals of 182 tackles, 20 TFLs, and five sacks after recording career-highs in most categories as a junior. Greg Biggins of 247Sports wrote, " Long, athletic 6-foot-3, 215 pound frame and shows the ability to play inside or outside 'backer at the next level. Might be best suited as a will 'backer because of his athleticism, ability to play in space and strong cover skills." 6. Taylor Johnson, Cajon – Sr. Photo courtesy of Taylor Johnson One of the state's top breakout stars as a junior, Johnson erupted for 174 tackles (82 solo), nine TFLs, and four sacks for a Southern Section D3 playoff team that averaged fewer than 18 points a game allowed. He can also cover at quite a high level for a linebacker that predominantly plays inside. Johnson's recruiting took off shortly after the 2024 season, as he's now a 3-star prospect who chose USC out of a dozen offers. 7. Taven Epps, Tustin – Jr. While Epps' No. 7 ranking is based more on potential and recruiting accolades than 2024 production, we are confident that he will live up to and perhaps exceed it. The 4-star Texas commit was a Cal-Hi Sports Second Team All-State (Sophomores) selection with 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks, 11 QB-hurries, one interception, six pass break-ups, and a blocked punt for a CIF-SS D3 playoff team. At upwards of 6-4, 220 with standout athleticism, Epps has played both linebacker positions and safety, and might eventually land at weak-side defensive end. He has at least 33 more offers including Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, and Notre Dame. 8. Ronen Zamorano, Sierra Canyon – Sr. The reigning Mission League co-DPOY and the top unranked linebacker in California. At 6-2, 225 Zamorano looks and produces the part of a bone-crushing Mike, leading a nationally-ranked program with 113 tackles (four for loss) and 71 solo tackles as a junior. Zamorano has been offered by Colorado State, San Diego State, and San Jose State. 9. Leki Holani, Santa Margarita – Sr. Holani broke out for 72 tackles, 19 TFLs, six sacks, six QB-hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four pass break-ups as a junior. And the 3-star Sacramento State commit did it all against one of the toughest schedules in high school football. He makes up the top returning linebacker tandem in California with Dash Fifita. 10. Ezaya Tokio, Oceanside – Sr. As a junior, Tokio totaled 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles – all in just four games. The previous season at St. Augustine, he registered 98 tackles (4.5 for loss). With a full senior season in his second year at Oceanside, Tokio could easily emerge as a statewide DPOY candidate. He's a 4-star Washington commit who has considerable upside at 6-4, 220 with speed and motor. 11. Balen Betancourt, Newbury Park – Sr. JOE LUMAYA/SPECIAL TO THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK One of the most underrated linebackers in all of high school football. Betancourt helped lead the Panthers to a CIF-SS Division 2 title last year with 122 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. It was the second season in a row that he eclipsed 120 tackles and 17 TFLs. 12. Josh Williams, Palos Verdes – Jr. An athletic edge rusher who could be listed at OLB or DE and the reigning Southern Section D5 DPOY. Williams racked up 76 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles to lift Palos Verdes to a section title and 2-A state title. He's a 3-star recruit with offers from Akron, Marshall, and Georgia State. 13. Oscar Aguilar, Downey (Downey) – Sr. Patrick Breen/The Arizona Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn The 3-star Arizona state pledge enters his senior year with career totals of 258 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. His junior season was his best yet, as he registered 102 tackles, 14 TFLs, four sacks, and five forced fumbles to help Downey go 9-2 with a CIF-SS D2 playoff berth. Aguilar is at his best against the Vikings' top opponents and is reportedly still growing after checking in at 6-3, 215 a year ago. 14. Chase Cahoon, Saint Francis (Mountain View) – Sr. Despite missing a bit of time both seasons, Cahoon was quite productive as a sophomore and junior against one of Northern California's toughest schedules. In 17 combined games, he totaled 172 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 16 QB-hurries. Cahoon is a 3-star Stanford commit whose other offers include Boise State, UNLV, Washington, and Arizona State. 15. Kenneth Goodwin III, Bishop Montgomery – Sr. Goodwin's ranking here is watered down by the fact that he missed his junior season at Narbonne after transferring from Desert Pines (NV). But he's definitely not a 4-star SMU commit with two-dozen offers by accident. While he's already a star in the recruiting world thanks to impressive camp performances and athleticism, look for Goodwin to break out as one of one California's top defensive players on the field this fall. 16. Isaiah Leilua, Servite – Jr. Leilua exploded out of the gate as a freshman in 2023 to help lead Servite to the CIF-SS D2 title game, and as a sophomore he was already the focal point of opponents' game plans, earning First Team honors in the Trinity League and on Cal-Hi Sports' All-State Sophomores teams. He enters his junior year with totals of 158 tackles, 10 TFLs, five sacks, five passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. Leilua is a high 3-star recruit with Arizona State, USC, and Washington considered the favorites among 16 schools to offer him. 17. John McClellan, Rancho Cotate – Sr. The top-ranked senior linebacker prospect in Northern California per 247Sports, McClellan wreaked havoc with 157 tackles and five sacks in 10 games as a junior. The 3-star recruit committed to Colorado State shortly after visiting in June and also has offers from NAU, UNLV, Sacramento State, and Nevada. 18. Ryder Smith, Great Oak – Sr. Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn One of California's top returning two-way stars and a recent Idaho State commit, Smith somehow went under the radar despite putting up ungodly numbers as a junior. He went off for 133 tackles (80 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 15 QB-hurries seeing action pretty much everywhere in the front seven, and he also emerged as a standout running back with 1,369 yards and 16 touchdowns on 8.2 yards per carry. 19. Aidan Dagher, Burbank – Jr. In just seven games as a sophomore, Dagher ran wild for 86 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. In the seven games he played, Burbank went 6-1, losing only in the second round of the CIF-SS D9 playoffs to eventual champion Highland (Palmdale) following a 3-2 start. Dagher is a 3-star prospect with offers from SMU, Sacramento State, Campbell, Western Kentucky, and Arkansas Baptist. 20. Landon McClendon, St. Mary's (Stockton) – Sr. CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn A versatile outside backer who thrives in space, McClendon is more impactful than his merely solid junior year numbers show. He totaled 48 tackles (35 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and a blocked field goal for one of NorCal's top programs, and some of his best work was in coverage. McClendon also brought his A-game in most of the Rams' biggest games while also seeing his numbers deflated by sitting in the second half of a few total blowout victories. He's a 3-star prospect with offers from Portland State and Sacramento State. ALSO IN CONSIDERATION: Jeremiah Brown, San Jacinto – Sr. (Oregon State) DJ Clanton, Mater Dei – Jr. Aiden Gomez, Downey (Downey) – Sr. Maxwell Mapstone, Portola – Sr. Matthew Muasau, St. John Bosco – Sr. (UCLA) Josiah Poyer, St. John Bosco – Jr. Weston Reis, Palos Verdes – So. Ezekiel Su'a, Mater Dei – Jr. Fifita Tauteoli-Moore, Corona Centennial – Sr. (Princeton) Philip Wilson III, Pacifica (Oxnard) – Jr. RELATED: SN's preseason California All-State teams Top 20 QBs in California entering 2025 Buford (GA) unveils $62 million high school football stadium
Yahoo
5 hours ago
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USF's 'freak' quarterback Byrum Brown could shake up the American
USF's 'freak' quarterback Byrum Brown could shake up the American originally appeared on The Sporting News The state of quarterbacking in college football is in a healthy spot. The 2026 NFL Draft class looks to be bountiful, several contenders added high-profile stars, and even the Group of Five has found itself a handful of stars. Among them is USF quarterback Byrum Brown. His season was cut short by a leg injury in 2024, and Bryce Archie filled in admirably, but there's little question about which passer provides more upside for the Bulls. The nature of the American Conference suggests that most of its teams can contend for a title in 2025. If USF is going to contend in 2025, it's going to be on the back of its dynamo under center. Running with the Bulls Brown's mobility stands out among the elite at the position. He ran for 809 yards in his last full season, turning 203 carries into 11 scores. In 2025, he's expected to do more of the same. Brown certainly has the physical tools to do so. On Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List," Brown landed 42nd. He was one of two quarterbacks on the list -- meant to highlight college football's most athletic talents -- trailing only South Carolina passer LaNorris Sellers at the position. "Good news for the Bulls: their star QB, who is just 20, looked better than ever this spring after missing eight games last season due to a leg injury following a record-setting season in 2023," Feldman wrote. "That year, Brown and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels were the only QBs in the nation to post 3,000-plus passing yards and 800-plus rushing yards in the regular season. The 6-3 1/2, 232-pound senior hit 22.5 mph on the GPS this offseason. He squatted 600 pounds and benched 300. "'He really is a freak athlete,' said USF head coach Alex Golesh." MORE: Notre Dame backed for big 2025 season behind 'dynamic' offense Brown's athleticism defines his game. He can create explosive plays out of thin air and fits into game plans in a similar fashion (stylistically) to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He's a powerful runner with real contact balance and a decent ability to make guys miss. Draws are a staple of the USF offense, and designed gap runs are plentiful. Fortunately, there's more than just mobility to lean on. Brown has legitimate arm talent and a willingness to stretch the field. He's willing to take hits in the pocket and on the move, remains potent out of structure, and avoided turnovers in 2024. As far as the American goes, there may not be a more dangerous passer. The upcoming months could be pivotal for Brown's NFL chances. With problematic mechanics, accuracy inconsistencies, and a schematic hill to climb to the next level, he's a late Day 3 prospect, if at all draftable. There's a path to the pros, though, and it's paved by the same physical tools that make Brown an x-factor for South Florida this season. MORE NCAA NEWS 2 Penn State wideouts named to Biletnikoff Award watch list Jake Kreul sets commitment date; Oklahoma, Texas battling CBS Sports calls Michigan football coaches poll ranking 'overrated' Colin Cowherd said Nick Saban screwed the SEC
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5 hours ago
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Texas A&M senior Edge is using his All-SEC team snub as 'fuel to the fire' this season
Texas A&M's 2025 pass rush will more than likely be led by senior edge Cashius Howell, who returned for his final collegiate season after defensive linemen Nic Scourton, Shemar Turner and Shemar Stewart departed for the NFL, leaving the former Bowling Green standout as one of the best players on the roster. However, Howell, who recorded four sacks and seven pass deflections in a rotational role last season, has been snubbed by several preseason watch lists. After Wednesday's sixth and first padded preseason practice, Howell spoke to the media members in attendance, and was asked about one of the more significant preseason snubs after he was left off the the preseason All-SEC team, which included running back Le'Veon Moss (first team) offensive linemen Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Trey Zuhn III and Chase Bisontis named to the second team. At the same time, cornerback Will Lee III and linebacker Taurean York were named to the third team on defense. While York has certainly done enough on the field to garner first or second team honors, the fact that Howell wasn't even considered a third team defensive linemen was quite surprising, esepecially after finishing the year as the team's top rated pass rusher per Pro Football Focus. However, Howell is taking the high road, and, just like his low recruiting ranking, the Missouri native isn't worried about the national perception. 'You're talking to a guy who was once rated 2,000th best player in my class. I'm used to not getting picked and overlooked so it just adds fuel to the fire for me.' At 6'4" and over 250 pounds, coach Mike Elko taking over as the program's defensive play caller is good news for Howell, who will be in perfect postion to rush the passer and eliminate stretch runs, capitalizing on his impressive play at the end of the 2024 campaign. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M Edge Cashius Howell is taking his All-SEC snub in stride
