Of all the defensive positions, the Linebacker slot is the one that intrigues me

the most. The man in the middle with his hands planted firmly on top of his kneecaps, surveying the upcoming play with the eyes of a hawk.

I became spoiled watching the incomparable LaVonte David play for the Huskers, uncorking some of the greatest lateral movement I have ever seen.

It takes a real Athlete to man that Linebacker position at any level of football, so I have decided to salute those players I think have a huge impact under those sacred Friday Night Lights in each class.

I’ll begin with Class A Linebackers who strike fear into the hearts of anyone with a football in their hands.

CLASS A

*Christian Jones-Omaha Westside-6’3, 225, Senior – Top LB in the state. Saw him play twice last season and there’s a reason he has a gazillion D1 offers. Jones will make a smooth transition from Friday Night Lights to the Saturday afternoon spotlight.

*Pierce Mooberry-Millard North- 6’4, 215, Senior – Husker commit has incredible athletic skills and has for quite some time. A true BALLER.

*Sawyer Schilke-Kearney, 6’3, 225, Senior – Good lord! This dude swallows up ball carriers like they’re an afternoon snack. You also better hope Schilke isn’t rushing off the edge because if he is, you’re done. Sawyer Schilke is one mean motor scooter.

*Dylan Kuhl-Millard South-5’11, 195, Senior – Talk about lateral movement. Kuhl was all over, across, up and down the football field with frequent visits to the opposition’s backfield. Every game. Perfect model of a championship high school linebacker.

*Cash Buettenback-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘0, 210, Senior – Great footwork, fine speed and this guy will hunt you down, shed blockers and make the tackle. Cash is Money on Friday nights.

*Nate Appleget-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘3, 200, Junior – Buettenback’s LB partner in that Knight’s defensive middle, Nate is quick off the ball and fast enough to cover speedy wide receivers. Great vision and a nose for the ball.

*McCorter Goese-Elkhorn South, 6 ‘1, 210, Senior – Last I checked, Goese was benching 320 and it showed on the field a year ago. McCorter sets the tone for physicality on this Elkhorn South football team and uses his 4.8 speed to stuff the run game big time. This young man is a BALLER!

*Kale Johnson-Papillion-La Vista, 6 ‘3, 225, Senior – Reminds me of a bigger Nate Appleget with his 4.8 speed and keen ability to cover receivers. Very smart football player who is patient and usually tracks down the man with the ball and snuffs out the play.

*Ben Shafer-Papillion-La Vista South, 6’2, 205, Senior – This Shafer kid is literally EVERYHERE on defense! Ben’`s HUDL film clips list him as MLB, OLB, DE, RB and ATH. They are not kidding. Shafer, who has 4.6 speed and can lift a small building, is a real menace rushing off the end. Goo1d grief, Shafer is on the man with the ball before anyone has a remote shot of blocking him. Ben also accumulated 532 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns as a running back. Can you say Swiss Army Knife?

*Jameson Rayner-Millard South, 5’11, 200, Senior – Really, really terrific MLB, in fact, Rayner is the leading returning tackler in Class A. The man knows where the football is on every play. Jameson also brings the wood with every hit. Smart football mind with that internal radar that ball carriers fear.

……AND, the rest of the top notch Linebackers in the Class A ranks.

*Johnny Hurtado-Omaha Westside-5’10, 215, Senior

*Ian Asselin-Omaha Creighton Prep, 6’1, 180, Senior

*Max Clark-Omaha North, 6’2, 220, Junior