Listed below are my 2025 running list of linebacker prospects to watch including my quick take on several of the players listed here who I've seen in person either this past season or at various camps etc. No mention or comment on a specific prospect yet? No worries I'll be breaking down all of the names listed here via film/camp observations. Stay tuned.
Linebackers Class of 2025
LB Dominik Hulak IC Catholic Prep 6-foot-3, 225 pounds 2025- Notre Dame commit. Hulak has all the physical tools and the makings of developing into a major Power 5 name in this class. Hulak has exceptional instincts, runs very well and is a high level finisher. Hulak is also a heavy hitter who's got impressive strength and power. Shows his versatility on video and played OLB/ILB along with lining up at DE plus TE and WR all at a high level. Will add a bit more size and strength at the next levbel but is about as college ready as anyone in this position group.
LB Jimmy Zarco Lyons Township 6-foot-0, 175 pounds 2025
LB/DE Carson Cooney Oswego 6-foot-3, 205 pounds 2025 - A coaches kid who plays like a coach on the field. Cooney has impressive instincts along with great sideline to sideline speed. Cooney also plays with a high motor at all times and is also a terrific finisher and a heavy hitter. Cooney also has good overall speed and is very capable of playing weither inside or outside linebacker at the high college level. Still has room to get a bit bigger and stronger.
LB Christian Pierce Brother Rice 6-foot-0, 215 pounds 2025 Another major dude and Power 5 name here. Pierce has a terrific mix of speed, a great nose for the football and plays with impressive physical tools and instincts. Pierce, who is the little brother of former Brother Rice and current Michigan DL Trey Pierce will just get bigger and stronger from here on out possesses a ton of upside for the Power 5 level and I love his overall work ethic and approach.
LB Kennyan Chandler Kankakee 6-foot-1, 225 pounds 2025
LB Jacob Bylina St Laurence 6-foot-0, 220 pounds 2025
LB Emmett Callahan St. Ignatius 6-foot-1, 210 pounds 2025
LB/DE Joe Edwards Downers Grove North 6-foot-3, 190 pounds 2025 - A definite name to watch this winter and spring. Joe is the younger brother of former DGN QB and Wisconsin and NFL OL David Edwards and showed his versatility in 2023 playing ILB/OLB/DE and TE. Edwards has a good frame and length and he will get bigger and stronger over the next year plus. Edwards has work still left to do including improving his overall speed and quickness....but this is a good sized kid who has some gamer and upside.
LB James Kingsbury St. Rita 6-foot-1, 210 pounds 2025 - Has good bloodlines and is oner of three very strong players from St Rita. Hard nosed., physical downhill defender who was just impressive in 2023 for the Mustangs. Overall size/speed will be looked at harder this spring and summer but the overall game and ability is strong here.
LB Trevon Hall Champaign Centennial 6-foot-3, 220 pounds 2025
OLB/DE Nate Cleveland Hoffman Estates 6-foot-2, 195 pounds 2025 - Impressive overall athlete here and a player who can and will play in several sports on boith sided of the football. Cleveland played QB along with SS/OLB and will get plenty of looks this winter and spring. Older brother Dante was an impact defender for SIU who just wrapped up his college career.
OLB/DE Kaiser Williams Naperville North 6-foot-4, 175 pounds 2025- One of the more impressive kids on the hoof and no question passes the all important eyeball test. Played alot of DE/OLB in 2023 and for the most part showed some real potential and upside. Williams has good speed, made good reads and adjustments at the point of attack. Williams also is a heavy hitter who showed to have a very good motor. Again this kid's physical tools and his frame will allow him to continue to grow and develop. Schools will allow him a lot of leeway because of that untapped potential.
LB Kevin Wilson Plainfield North 6-foot-2, 220 pounds 2025
LB Luke Nelson Stevenson 6-foot-2, 195 pounds 2025 Pretty solid overall player here who is also a kid who will continue to grow and add more weight and good size this winter. Showed good cover skills along with the ability to chase down the ball carrier and finish tackles.
LB Weston Waughop Downers Grove North 6-foot-1, 190 pounds 2025
LB Gavin Burt Marmion Academy 6-foot-1, 215 pounds 2025- An old school inside linebacker whohas a great nose for the football and just plays very physical football especially between the tackles. Has the frame and ook of a player who will get bigger and stronger over the next year plus. Lots to like here.
OLB/ATH Jack Wanzung St Ignatius 6-foot-2, 190 pounds 2025
LB Finn Goodman Lake Forest 6-foot-4, 210 pounds 2025
LB/S Zach Beitler Joliet Catholic 6-foot-1, 190 pounds 2025
LB Macjel Jarosz Argo 6-foot-1, 220 pounds 2025
LB Matt Mucha Mount Carmel 5-foot-11, 205 pounds 2025
Linebackers Class of 2025
LB Dominik Hulak IC Catholic Prep 6-foot-3, 225 pounds 2025- Notre Dame commit. Hulak has all the physical tools and the makings of developing into a major Power 5 name in this class. Hulak has exceptional instincts, runs very well and is a high level finisher. Hulak is also a heavy hitter who's got impressive strength and power. Shows his versatility on video and played OLB/ILB along with lining up at DE plus TE and WR all at a high level. Will add a bit more size and strength at the next levbel but is about as college ready as anyone in this position group.
LB Jimmy Zarco Lyons Township 6-foot-0, 175 pounds 2025
LB/DE Carson Cooney Oswego 6-foot-3, 205 pounds 2025 - A coaches kid who plays like a coach on the field. Cooney has impressive instincts along with great sideline to sideline speed. Cooney also plays with a high motor at all times and is also a terrific finisher and a heavy hitter. Cooney also has good overall speed and is very capable of playing weither inside or outside linebacker at the high college level. Still has room to get a bit bigger and stronger.
LB Christian Pierce Brother Rice 6-foot-0, 215 pounds 2025 Another major dude and Power 5 name here. Pierce has a terrific mix of speed, a great nose for the football and plays with impressive physical tools and instincts. Pierce, who is the little brother of former Brother Rice and current Michigan DL Trey Pierce will just get bigger and stronger from here on out possesses a ton of upside for the Power 5 level and I love his overall work ethic and approach.
LB Kennyan Chandler Kankakee 6-foot-1, 225 pounds 2025
LB Jacob Bylina St Laurence 6-foot-0, 220 pounds 2025
LB Emmett Callahan St. Ignatius 6-foot-1, 210 pounds 2025
LB/DE Joe Edwards Downers Grove North 6-foot-3, 190 pounds 2025 - A definite name to watch this winter and spring. Joe is the younger brother of former DGN QB and Wisconsin and NFL OL David Edwards and showed his versatility in 2023 playing ILB/OLB/DE and TE. Edwards has a good frame and length and he will get bigger and stronger over the next year plus. Edwards has work still left to do including improving his overall speed and quickness....but this is a good sized kid who has some gamer and upside.
LB James Kingsbury St. Rita 6-foot-1, 210 pounds 2025 - Has good bloodlines and is oner of three very strong players from St Rita. Hard nosed., physical downhill defender who was just impressive in 2023 for the Mustangs. Overall size/speed will be looked at harder this spring and summer but the overall game and ability is strong here.
LB Trevon Hall Champaign Centennial 6-foot-3, 220 pounds 2025
OLB/DE Nate Cleveland Hoffman Estates 6-foot-2, 195 pounds 2025 - Impressive overall athlete here and a player who can and will play in several sports on boith sided of the football. Cleveland played QB along with SS/OLB and will get plenty of looks this winter and spring. Older brother Dante was an impact defender for SIU who just wrapped up his college career.
OLB/DE Kaiser Williams Naperville North 6-foot-4, 175 pounds 2025- One of the more impressive kids on the hoof and no question passes the all important eyeball test. Played alot of DE/OLB in 2023 and for the most part showed some real potential and upside. Williams has good speed, made good reads and adjustments at the point of attack. Williams also is a heavy hitter who showed to have a very good motor. Again this kid's physical tools and his frame will allow him to continue to grow and develop. Schools will allow him a lot of leeway because of that untapped potential.
LB Kevin Wilson Plainfield North 6-foot-2, 220 pounds 2025
LB Luke Nelson Stevenson 6-foot-2, 195 pounds 2025 Pretty solid overall player here who is also a kid who will continue to grow and add more weight and good size this winter. Showed good cover skills along with the ability to chase down the ball carrier and finish tackles.
LB Weston Waughop Downers Grove North 6-foot-1, 190 pounds 2025
LB Gavin Burt Marmion Academy 6-foot-1, 215 pounds 2025- An old school inside linebacker whohas a great nose for the football and just plays very physical football especially between the tackles. Has the frame and ook of a player who will get bigger and stronger over the next year plus. Lots to like here.
OLB/ATH Jack Wanzung St Ignatius 6-foot-2, 190 pounds 2025
LB Finn Goodman Lake Forest 6-foot-4, 210 pounds 2025
LB/S Zach Beitler Joliet Catholic 6-foot-1, 190 pounds 2025
LB Macjel Jarosz Argo 6-foot-1, 220 pounds 2025
LB Matt Mucha Mount Carmel 5-foot-11, 205 pounds 2025
