High school football preview: Ranking the Top 10 Fort Worth-area linebackers in 2022
The 2022 Texas high school football season is only a day away and we’re close to wrapping up our Fort Worth-area player-by-player preview with the best linebackers today.
Seven of the top 10 linebackers led their teams to a district championship last season.
Here is a look at the top 10:
1. S’Maje Burrell
Senior, 6-0, 215, North Crowley
Commit: Texas
Facts: The 3-star Longhorn commit ranks in the top 60 of the best senior linebackers in the country, by 247Sports. He’s also the 111th best senior player overall in the state. He had 26 offers before committing to UT. Burrell was district co-defensive MVP after having 104 tackles, 13 for loss, five sacks and four forced fumbles.
2. Poasa Utu
Senior, 6-0, 205, Kennedale
Commit: Oklahoma State
Facts: The 3-star Utu ranks in the top 100 of the best senior linebackers in the country. He finished last season with 97 tackles and was No. 1 in the area with 41 tackles for loss. He was also second in the area with 19 sacks.
3. Trey Wilson
Senior, 6-3, 240, LD Bell
Facts: 247Sports lists Wilson as a 3-star linebacker, but he’s also an edge rusher as the recruiting site ranks him as the 46th best senior edge rusher in the country. Wilson is also No. 88 overall in the state. He holds four offers and received a medal in the shot put at the state track meet.
4. Davhon Keys
Junior, 6-1, 215, Aledo
Facts: The 3-star Keys plays running back and linebacker for the Bearcats, who reached the third round of the playoffs. Last season on defense, he made 72 tackles, eight for loss, three sacks, four interceptions and two touchdown returns. Keys has 12 offers, including from Arkansas, Baylor, LSU and Oklahoma State.
5. Jake Landrum
Junior, 5-11, 180, Arlington Martin
Facts: Landrum was huge for the Martin defense in 2021 finishing with 89 tackles, 35 solo tackles, five quarterback hurries and six sacks. He was voted district defensive newcomer of the year.
6. Robert Sanders
Senior, 6-2, 215, Fort Worth All Saints
Commit: Princeton
Facts: The 3-star Sanders recorded 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season for the Saints. He also forced three fumbles. He ranks in the top 105 of the best senior linebackers in the country.
7. Zachary Brewster
Senior, 5-10, 180, Brock
Facts: Brewster is a two-way star for the Eagles, who reached the state championship game in December. On defense, Brewster made 123 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five sacks and was among the area’s best with six interceptions.
8. Cap Mooney
Senior, 6-1, 210, Aledo
Facts: Mooney and Keys make up a dynamic duo at the linebacker core for the Bearcats. Mooney helped Aledo to a state championship, its 10th, during the 2020 season where he was voted state championship game defensive MVP. Last season, he had 62 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.
9. Drew Dorris
Senior, 6-1, 200, Azle
Facts: Dorris was voted to have the best season among Fort Worth-area linebackers in 2022. Last season for the Hornets, he made 70 tackles, 10 for loss and three sacks.
10. Grant Mirabal
Senior, 6-2, 235, Argyle
Facts: Mirabal adds another weapon on the Eagles’ defense, which will be the strength of team this fall. He’s made 90 tackles in back-to-back seasons for coach Todd Rodgers’ squad.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 5:00 AM.