We’ve reached the trenches and beyond in our 2025 high school football preview series, breaking down the top talent to watch this fall. 

From quarterbacks to linemen, we’ve covered the playmakers who will shape this season. Now, it’s time to focus on the linebackers — the heart and soul of a defense. 

These are the athletes who fly sideline to sideline, stuff the run, drop into coverage, and lead their teams with toughness and grit.

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DEAN ARMOCK – GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL, 2026
A physical and instinctive linebacker who will be a 3-year varsity starter and can read plays quickly.

RYAN AUKEMAN – HUDSONVILLE, 2026
Strong and disciplined, Aukeman brings a hard-hitting presence to the Eagles defense with the speed to make plays sideline-to-sideline. He is committed to Ferris State.

KINYONN BATTLE – EAST KENTWOOD, 2027
One of the Falcons young stars, Battle pairs athleticism with a nose for the football, making him a disruptive force.

GAVIN BOUMA– SOUTH CHRISTIAN, 2027
A rising talent with impressive football IQ, Bouma started on varsity for the Sailors at outside linebacker as a sophomore in 2024. He can diagnose plays and finish tackles.

JONAH BROEMER – GRAND HAVEN, 2026
Broemer brings toughness and leadership to the Bucs linebacking unit, excelling in shedding blocks and making plays in the backfield.

AMIERE CHANDLER – MUSKEGON, 2026
Quick, physical, and relentless, Chandler is a versatile defender capable of impacting the game in multiple ways for the Big Reds.

SAM CUMMINGS – ROCKFORD, 2026
Cummings started for the Rams as a sophomore before missing all of last season with an injury. He has the speed and tackling ability to be a game-changer.

GRAYSON CORLIN – NORTHVIEW, 2027

A varsity starter last fall as a sophomore, Corlin will need to be counted on to lead the Wildcats defense following the graduation of linebackers Easton Hanninen and Will Senuira.

PEYTON DAVIS – ZEELAND EAST, 2026

An explosive hitter with great lateral movement, Davis is the heart of the Chix defense.

JARED DEVRIES – UNITY CHRISTIAN, 2026

DeVries is a steady and reliable tackler whose high motor and discipline keep him in position to stop plays before they develop.

DREW FERRICK – FOREST HILLS EASTERN, 2027

A young but fearless defender, Ferrick started at linebacker last season as a sophomore, showing advanced instincts and the quickness to close gaps in a hurry.

KILLIAN FREDRICKSON – WEST CATHOLIC, 2026

Fredrickson is a hard-nosed defender who plays with grit and intensity.

KADEN GOOSSENS – EAST GRAND RAPIDS, 2026

His physicality and football smarts make him a leader on defense, with the ability to adjust and react to anything offenses throw at him.

WILL GRANT – HOLLAND CHRISTIAN, 2026

Grant is a disciplined linebacker with strong tackling fundamentals and the range to chase down ball carriers in the open field.

BRAYLEN HANEY – GRANDVILLE, 2026

Played a lot of running back for the Bulldogs as a sophomore, but transitioned to linebacker last fall and thrived in defensive coordinator KC Zenner’s system.

BROOKS HAWKINS – HAMILTON, 2026

Hawkins brings a mix of toughness and athleticism to the Hawkeyes defense, excelling in both pass coverage and run support.

RYAN KERRY, ROCKFORD, 2027

Kerry started the first 4 games at inside linebacker in 2024 for the Rams. His upside is through the roof in the Rams defensive scheme.

RECARDER KITCHEN – MUSKEGON, 2027

With more than 20 Division I offers, including 18 from Power 4 schools, Kitchen is an elite prospect whose combination of size, speed, and instincts makes him one of the top linebackers in the nation. 

JACKSON MALECKE – COOPERSVILLE, 2026

Malecke plays bigger than his size and has a nose for the football that helps set the tone for the Broncos defensive unit.

NICK MANNOR – ROCKFORD 2026

Mannor is a dependable defender who plays with great leverage and uses his quick first step to disrupt plays in the backfield.

BRECKTON MEEUWSEN – GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN, 2027

Meeuwsen is a rising star for the Eagles, blending athleticism and awareness to make impact plays all over the field.

CAL MILLIS – REETHS-PUFFER, 2026

Millis brings leadership and toughness to the Rockets’ defense, with the strength to take on blocks and the ability to finish tackles.

GARRETT NAWROCKI – GRANDVILLE, 2026

A fierce competitor, Nawrocki plays with an edge and is a consistent force against the run, helping anchor the Bulldogs front seven.

CAM PAYNE – BYRON CENTER, 2027

Turns heads as a running back, but also excels on defense with speed and explosiveness. His range allows him to cover a lot of ground.

JADEN PLAXTON – FOREST HILLS NORTHERN, 2026

Plaxton is a disciplined and athletic defender who rarely misses tackles and has the versatility to defend the run and pass equally well.

NATHEN RAISON – LOWELL, 2026

Raison’s high motor and versatility make him a difference-maker for the Red Arrows.

ELIJAH REYNOLDS – WEST OTTAWA, 2026 

A CMU commit, Reynolds brings size, strength, and sideline-to-sideline speed.

BRODY SCHUITEMAN – JENISON, 2026
Schuiteman is another running back who stands out on defense with toughness and instincts, always finding ways to be around the football.

MATT SEXTON – FOREST HILLS CENTRAL, 2026

Sexton is a polished defender with the size and power to shut down opposing offenses. He is committed to Central Michigan.

JORDAN SHABAZZ – FOREST HILLS EASTERN, 2027

Shabazz is a quick and athletic linebacker who plays bigger than his size, excelling at slipping blocks and making plays in space.

COLTON SHEELY – CALEDONIA, 2026

Sheely is a physical, downhill linebacker who thrives on contact and sets the tone for the Fighting Scots defense.

OLIVER SMIES – SPRING LAKE, 2026

He and his brother will be 3-year starters for the Lakers at linebacker. Oliver is smart and aggressive and finishes tackles well.

OWEN SMIES – SPRING LAKE, 2026

A reliable and physical linebacker, Owen’s consistency and leadership make him a valuable asset for the Lakers.

BRAYDEN SWEENEY – GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL, 2026

Sweeney will be a 4-year starter for the Cougars and has committed to play at Purdue next year. He is an elite athlete with exceptional instincts, speed, and the ability to dominate at all levels of the defense.

TYSON TERPSTRA – MONA SHORES, 2026

Terpstra’s athleticism makes him a key playmaker for the Sailors, capable of impacting games in multiple ways.

CARTER VANDERTUIG – ROCKFORD, 2026

Vandertuig is a versatile linebacker with excellent closing speed, capable of blitzing or dropping into coverage effectively.

JAXON VANHOUTEM – SPARTA, 2028

One of the youngest standouts on this list, Vanhoutem saw varsity action last season as a freshman and possesses instincts and athleticism that make him a name to remember in the coming years.

JUSTIN VANWAGNER – HOPKINS, 2027

VanWagner is a tough and physical defender who thrives in run defense and brings leadership to the Vikings defense.

JEVON WELZEIN – OTTAWA HILLS, 2026

A rangy, athletic linebacker who covers a lot of ground, Welzein has the speed to chase down plays and the physicality to hold up in the box.

MAX WILDMAN – WEST CATHOLIC, 2026

Wildman plays with a high motor and relentless physicality, always finding his way to the football. He can diagnose plays quickly and deliver big hits.

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FINAL WORD

These linebackers will be at the center of the action all season long, making the tackles, creating turnovers, and setting the tone for their defenses. 

Up next in our final installment, we’ll turn our attention to the defensive backs — the last line of defense and the athletes who can change a game with one big play.

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