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April has arrived, meaning we’re four short months away from the 2024 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the last few week’s we’ve highlighted each of the area’s top returning players and their position groups. Now two remain.
We’ve released six position groups so far. Now it’s time to highlight the area’s top linebackers.
Here are 35 returning Nashville area linebackers you need to keep an eye on during the 2024 season:
TOP RETURNERS PER POSITION: QB / RB / WR / OL / DL / DB
Aidan Wright, Centennial: Wright was an All-Region selection on the Cougars’ stout defense recording 70 tackles to go along with 10 sacks.
Blaze Katina, Independence: The Eagles should have one of the best defenses around next season and Katina will play a large part in that after recording 49 tackles and two tackles for loss last season.
Brayden Hightower, Hillsboro: Hightower’s a two-way standout for the Burros but will likely be at his best next season at his linebacker spot.
Brenden Anes, Page: There’s no denying that Anes is one of the best linebackers in the state and that’s why he’s headed up to Wisconsin once his high school playing days are done. Last season he could not be stopped recording 90 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
Cadarius Newcombe, Antioch: The Bears could be in for a big season especially if their defense takes a step forward. Newcombe was one of their best last season recording 67 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.
Caleb Ellison, Oakland: Every year the Patriots seem to just reload at linebacker, and that will continue in 2024. This season, it’ll be Ellison manning the middle of their defense after he recorded 98 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 2023.
Ethan Carson, Blackman: Rutherford County is full of great linebackers set to return and Carson is no exception. He finished last season with 59 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Gunnar Clary, Beech: Clary’s addition to this list was an easy choice. He was a beast for the Bucs last year recording 82 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks.
Hunter Gray, Westmoreland: Gray may have been a standout offensive lineman for the Eagles but he was just as good at linebacker recording 90 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Jack Watts, Ensworth: Watts is another highly-touted linebacker in the area who will play Division I college football after 2024. He led the Tigers last season with 62.5 tackles, eight sacks, four tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
Johnny Cabelerio, Rossview: Rossview boasted one of the best defenses in the area last season and a lot of that had to do with their linebackers. Cabelerio was one of those standouts with 67 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception, one fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.
Jomauri Smith, Riverdale: With how good their offense was last season, the Warriors’ defense may have gotten overlooked at times. Smith however could not be overlooked after he recorded 90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two sacks.
Landen Jones, Hendersonville: The Commandos will be replacing several key pieces from last season’s squad so expect Jones to fit in perfectly at linebacker. He finished his junior season with 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack.
Karson Mauk, Harpeth: Mauk put up some crazy numbers for the Indians last season recording 95 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Keilan Harris, Stewarts Creek: Harris will be the guy on the Red Hawks’ defense that everyone will know by the end of the year. He had a great season last year recording 67 tackles, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two blocked punts, and a defensive touchdown.
Ke’vantae Porter, Rockvale: Porter’s a three-year starter for the Rockets and had his best season so far in 2023. He finished the year with 75 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four interceptions with three of those ran back for touchdowns.
Kole Phillips, Rossview: The other half of the Hawks’ standout returning linebacking corp, Phillips was the Region 7-6A Defensive Player of the Year with 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a defensive touchdown, and a sack.
Kris Thompson, Lipscomb Academy: Thompson’s the real deal and it’s easy to understand why so many Power Five programs are after him. He was second on the Mustangs in tackles last season with 84 to go along with 15.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Kyrin Coleman, Pope Prep: Coleman should be in for another great season after breaking out as a junior with 71 tackles and a sack.
Marshall Spann, Eagleville: Spann’s numbers from last season are video game-like. He was an All-Satet selection recording 184 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception.
Matthew Anderson, Ravenwood: Anderson broke out onto the scene as a sophomore recording a team-high 112 tackles along with four tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Owen White, MTCS: White was an All-Region selection on the Cougars’ state championship-winning team with 77 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Park Ballash, BGA: Ballash’s future is looking quite bright as he recorded 66 tackles and eight tackles for loss as a sophomore.
Peyton Vaughn, Davidson Academy: Vaughn was an All-Region selection for the Bears after finishing the year with 60 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble.
Sam Derrick, Father Ryan: Derrick will look to improve upon a 2023 season that saw him record 69 tackles, six tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.
Sam Haley, Ensworth: Ensworth will once again have one of the best defenses in the state and Haley will play a major factor in that. He was second on the team in tackles last year with 59.5 to go along with five tackles for loss and four sacks.
Sean Cunningham, Page: The Patriots had several defensive standouts last season but none had more tackles than Cunningham. He led the team with 109 tackles to go along with four interceptions and a pair of sacks.
Silvio Rizzo, Sycamore: Rizzo seemed to be playing on easy mode at times last season recording 79 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
Steele Chance, CPA: Looking back at CPA’s linebackers, it’s hard not to think that they had the best group in the state last season. They get two of those guys back in Chance and Parker. Chance recorded 65 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 2023.
Terris Smith, Ezell-Harding: Smith was likely an easy choice as a DII-A East All-Region selection after he totaled 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions.
Wesley Ritzen, BGA: Ritzen was a constant threat on the Wildcats’ defense last season racking up 54 tackles and nine tackles loss.
Weston Parker, CPA: We named Parker as a Medium Class second-team selection for a reason. The Lions’ har-hitting outside linebacker recorded 71 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and a sack last season.
William Stockhoff, Brentwood: Defensively the Bruins have been one of the best teams around under Clint Finch and that should continue in 2024. Stockhoff is one of the best-returning linebackers around after recording 111 tackles and four tackles loss in 2023.
Willie Wilson Jr, Clarksville Academy: Wilson was a DII-A Middle Region second-team selection in 2023 recording 70 tackles.
Zae Odom, Cannon County: Odom only saw action in seven last games but was still able to put up 43 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
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