Spence and Co. Presents The Top 10 Presesason 2025 East Texas Linebackers

The second level of the defense is the heart of the defense. These 10 linebackers are set to have a huge 2025 season, flying around and seeing how much metal and paint they can knock off helmets. 

In 2024, Hampton-Williams backed up Brenden Reese and Kason Brooks at linebacker, but made his presence known as a defensive end for Longview. Last season, Hampton-Williams finished with 58 tackles, 8 for loss and 2 sacks. With his athleticism and unique experience as a DL, JHW should flourish in his senior season as the starting Mike for Longview.

Cooper is an inside linebacker from Texas High, and while he's on the smaller side of the scale, he will fill the hole up and play with big physicality. He's had the opportunity to play behind and alongside one of the best from Texas High the last couple of years, and he'll have his opportunity to fill it up in 2025. Last season, Cooper had 83 tackles, 8 for loss and recovered a fumble.

Blake Banks plays outside linebacker for the Tigers and is a threat in both the run and passing game. In 2024, Banks had 51 tackles, 11 for loss with a sack, 2 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. He's a fast athlete that recklessly runs to the ball to do damage.  

A'Shad Smith is a ball player. He's fast and quick to the ball, and behind the defensive linemen he plays behind, he's got free lanes to the ball carrier all the time. Last season Smith made 63 tackles, 18 for loss and 5 sacks. Mt. Pleasant returns a lot from their defense, especially in the middle. Their run defense should be great and Smith will be right in the middle of that.

Last season, Winnsboro went on a deep playoff run, and mostly led by Nolee Carroll and Camden Capehart and the offense, Colsen Hammons and the defense stepped up and played ball last season. Hammons isn't ideal size, but he's a great high school football player. Looking at him, you wouldn't think he could cover, but due to good coaching and film study, Hammons can sprint his ass off and cover spots. Numbers aren't available, but Hammons graded out as an 89 last season and is bound to make the Top 100 in 2025.

Jabory Taylor graded out as a 90 last season as a sophomore, just barely making the cut as a top 100 player. Taylor does a lot for Athens. He's an edge rusher, he can drop back into zones. Offensively, he's the wildcat QB and can power it through for first downs and touchdowns. He's got great moves, great hands to evade blockers, and can get it done. Taylor had an impressive sophomore year, and he's bound to make the list in 2025. 

Last season, Cody Adkinson graded out as a 90, one of the few who missed the cut with an A grade. Adkinson tore it up last season, making All-East Texas with 156 tackles, 42 for loss, 7 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 pass break ups, and 1 interception. A tackling machine, Adkinson flew around the field making plays for the Roughriders. The entire defense wasn't great, but Adkinson was.

LJ as a sophomore was a fullback, as a junior he was the starting mike and boy was he a player. LJ came in on the top 100 at number 70 last season after a 124 tackles, 13 for loss, and 12 sacks. Jones can do it all. He can cover ground from sideline to sideline, he can physically meet linemen and pullers in the hole, and he's a great tackler. Jones has ideal linebacker size and speed for the next level, so it'll be interesting to see where he ends up at the end of 2025.

Carson Crawford is an energetic outside linebacker that can flat out play. The newest Colorado Buffalo commit can line up anywhere in the box and make plays. He's fast, he can catch, and most importantly he can tackle. Last season, Crawford helped the Bulldogs hold up trophy number 10 after making 91 tackles, 21 for loss, 8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, with a pick 6 and fumble recovery for a touchdown. Crawford came in on the list last season at number 52, and is bound to be in the top 40 this season.

Qui Beck is one of the best linebacker prospects across the nation, coming in on last season's list at #34. The newest Texas A&M Aggie commit, Beck stands at 6'2 210 pounds and is flat out animal. A 4 star prospect, Beck's athleticism jumps off the screen. He pursues the ball like no other, can cover ground in coverage, and is bound to help the Bulldogs raise trophy #11 in 2025.