2021 Best Classes: The Linebackers

February 5, 2021 CFB Saturdays Staff

With signing day finally upon us we look at the best classes in the country by position group. The linebacker is an evolving position where the emphasis has changed to faster players who have good range and can run sideline to sideline. Teams still need in the box linebackers, but are also adding hybrid players to add speed to their defense. For the purposes of this article we will use the 247Sports Composite rankings because they factor in all of the major rankings services. Here are the teams that brought in the most talent at the linebacker position:

Georgia

The Bulldogs already have a talented defense and have recruited elite talent on that side of the ball consistently during the Kirby Smart era. They signed four linebackers in the 2021 class and all four were rated four stars or higher. The class features two five star outside linebackers, Xavian Sorey and Smael Mondon, who rank first and third at the position. Sorey is a smooth, athletic linebacker who flows to the ball well and can make plays in coverage. Mondon is a freakish athlete that is a missile in pursuit of the ball carrier. The duo give Georgia versatility and range that is a necessity to defend modern offenses.

The Bulldogs did not stop with the elite duo, they also added two more linebackers to their roster. Jamon Dumas-Johnson is the 12th ranked inside linebacker in the class. He is a good athlete who navigates through traffic well to find the football. The final four star linebacker in the class for Georgia is Chaz Chambliss, the 24th ranked outside linebacker in the class. Chambliss has good size and is a strong player in the box. The foursome gives the Bulldogs flexibility at the linebackers position as they restock the room moving forward.

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Clemson

The Tigers usually sign smaller classes than some other teams, but they add as much high end talent as anyone in the country. The 2021 linebacker class is another example of the quality of player Dabo Swinney’s program is adding. The Tigers had a small linebacker class in 2021 but the quality is undeniable. The Tigers signed Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr, who are the second ranked outside linebacker and inside linebacker in the class, respectively.

Carter is an athletic specimen who is fast and explosive. He has the sideline to sideline ability and versatility to fit into multiple roles in the Clemson defense. Trotter is more of an in the box linebacker who has excellent short area quickness and instincts for the position. The duo should fit well into different roles in the Clemson defense and are both elite prospects. Clemson only landed two linebackers but the quality of the prospects wins them this spot on the list.

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Maryland

The Terps have started to make waves on the recruiting trail. This year they were able to sign a strong group of linebackers that includes two high school prospects and a Juco prospect. The gem of the Maryland recruiting class is five star Terrance Lewis, the top ranked inside linebacker in the class. Lewis flipped from Tennessee to Maryland and will be an instant impact type talent in College Park. Lewis will need to continue to bulk up but his speed and pursuit skills are second to none at the position.

Maryland complimented Lewis with another Florida recruit, Branden Jennings. Jennings is the seventh ranked outside linebacker in 2021 and is a thicker prospect who is a more traditional in the box linebacker and excels at fighting through blockers to make the play. In addition to the top two prospects, Maryland signed Juco inside linebacker, Gereme Spraggins who is the third ranked Juco inside linebacker in the class. Spraggins will add a college ready prospect to the linebacker room. Maryland also received a commitment from Bam Booker, but Booker has not signed his letter of intent yet.

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USC

The Trojans got back on track after a subpar year recruiting in 2020. They have a good linebacker class that includes two four star outside linebacker prospects and a four star athlete prospect that will likely end up at linebacker. Leading the way for the Trojans was Raesjon Davis who made his decision to commit to USC on signing day. Davis is the fourth ranked outside linebacker in the class. Davis fits the mold of a modern linebacker, he is big enough to compete in the box and has the coverage skills to be an asset against the passing game. Davis leads the way but is joined by two more athletic prospects.

Julien Simon is the eighth ranked outside linebacker in the country. Simon has the potential to grow and play as an inside linebacker, though his speed and coverage skills make him a natural fit on the outside. Anthony Beavers Jr is an athlete prospect who could play safety or linebacker, but will likely grow into a linebacker. He is the tenth ranked athlete in the class and has the speed and frame to be another athletic linebacker who excels in space. The Trojans have added a trio of athletic linebackers who all cover well and will make plays in space.

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North Carolina

Mack Brown has raised the level of play for the Tar Heels and has recruited two excellent classes since returning to the school. North Carolina’s 2021 class was a good group overall and the linebacker group was one of the best in the country. The Tar Heels landed two four star linebacker commits and a four star athlete that likely projects as a linebacker in Chapel Hill. The highest ranked linebacker in the class is Raneiria Dillworth who is the sixth ranked outside linebacker in the class. Dillworth is not a very big prospect, but he is very fast and excellent in pursuit.

Next up for the Tar Heels is the number seven inside linebacker, Power Echols. True to his name, Echols is a physical player who has good instincts and quickness from his inside linebacker spot. Finally, North Carolina also added the 12th ranked athlete in the class, Gabe Stephens. Stephens is a long and rangy athlete that could grow into an edge linebacker or has the skills to play off the line in coverage. The Tar Heels trio is an athletic group that will add speed and explosiveness to the position group.