It’s been a while since we have revisited the top linebackers in the area.
With having passed the mid-way point of the regular season, it’s time to take a look at some of the most impressive linebackers around with our Top 10 and a few guys on the radar.
NOTE: These rankings will be updated periodically as the season progresses, with the possibility of new names joining the list and names moving up and down.
1. Austin Phillips, sophomore, East Noble
Phillips continues to stand out as the most talented linebacker in northeast Indiana. East Noble remains unbeaten on the season and it has been mostly because of its stingy defense. Phillips has been lights out with 55 total tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack, which is on top of playing on both sides of the ball. Offenses try to orchestrate plays to run or pass away from him, but he still finds a way to the football (16 total tackles, three TFL last Friday against Leo). Recent game day visits to Notre Dame and Ohio State have solidified this young 2029 talent as one of the best in the country, not just the area.
2. Eli Schwab, senior, DeKalb
The Northeast Eight has another top-level talent at linebacker with Schwab. He leads the conference with 89 total tackles, including 61 solo, five TFL and a sack for the Barons. Through five games, this gives him an average of 17 tackles per game. He continues to lead an impressive DeKalb team that has been much better than a lot of preseason forecasts. He should be jumping on college coaches’ radars very soon.
3. Eli Neuhouser, senior, Carroll
As the leader of a stacked linebacker group in Huntertown, Neuhouser still stands out as one of the biggest nightmares for opposing offenses. Despite offense choosing to shy away from him up the middle, he still has managed to accumulate 43 total tackles, four TFL and 1.5 sacks on the season. He’s gotten bigger and stronger as well, and has improved his pursuit of the football and is around the play at all times, no matter the play call. He remains one of the best at his position.
4. Wes Summersett, senior, South Adams
Lurking right outside the Top 3, we’ve got to head to Berne and talk Wes Summersett. He verbally committed to Bowling Green, but a recent offer from Purdue has made things interesting, as well as a recent visit to Louisville. Honestly, he could play either wideout or linebacker at the next level, but linebacker may be a better fit as he has stood out with his 63 total tackles (good for 12.6 per game), 46 solo, four TFL, and a sack. He is another ballhawk that always seems to be where the ball is on defense. The Starfires’ leader climbs the list into the Top 5.
5. John Bair, junior, Homestead
As a three-sport athlete (wrestling and baseball), Bair has emerged onto the scene in football this season with his playmaking abilities. Because of this, he has helped the Spartans defense improve tremendously. He has 51 total tackles and seven TFL for tge Spartans, who haven’t had an easy schedule to start the season. He stood out as a Week 5 top performer with 11 tackles and a forced fumble against Bishop Dwenger.
6. Detrick Smith III, senior, South Side
Smith III has underproduced at the linebacker position thus far this season in terms of statistics. But when it comes to talent, he is amongst the best we have to offer in the area at linebacker. As the best defensive player on the Archers for the majority of his high school career, teams do their best to avoid him, which is another reason why he only has 30 total tackles, seven TFL and a sack. He also has had an increased role on offense. Look to see if he can produce more down the stretch.
7. Jamarcus Martin, senior, North Side
Much like Smith III, Martin’s impact is seen more in the film than the box score. He has 23 tackles to go with seven tackles for loss, a sack and a safety. Martin always seems to rise to the occasion on big downs, particularly as it pertains to getting into the offensive backfield and making plays. If the Legends are going to accomplish success down the stretch and in the postseason, Martin will be key. He has shown he can take things to the next level when the need arises.
8. Arelius “RG” Gaston, senior, South Side
Continuing to climb the list is RG1 from off Calhoun Street. The 6-foot-2,, 190-pound uncommitted linebacker has all of the tools to play at the next level. He has gotten better every week and has been getting in the backfield to make plays a little more this season for the Archers. Compared to his 100-tackle season last year, he is on pace to fall just short of that, but has still managed to accumulate 39 total tackles, four TFL, and a pair of sacks through five games. With Smith III playing both sides of the ball, Gaston has stepped up and produced on defense. He’s only scratching the surface of his potential.
9. Jordan Fabini, senior, Bishop Dwenger
Making his debut on the Top 10 list is Bishop Dwenger linebacker Jordan Fabini. There was so much uncertainty in the preseason with the Saints’ defense since they graduated so many players on that side of the ball. One thing is for certain, Fabini has stood out as one of the biggest contributors for the reigning state champions. He has 35 total tackles, seven TFL, and 2.5 sacks so far and is a huge reason the defending champs are 4-1 after losing so much to graduation. It definitely runs in the bloodline and he has been every bit as good as advertised.
10. Jacob Langford, junior, New Haven
As usual, the No. 10 spot is the hardest to rank, because it means someone has to be left off. It was tough to leave off Langford, who has led the Bulldogs defense and is amongst the best in the area with 52 total tackles. He also has six tackles for loss for the Bulldogs, who picked up their first 6 TFL for New Haven, who has struggled this season on both sides of the ball. Through the program’s struggles, the 5’11, 180 pound linebacker has stood out as one of the best tacklers in a stacked NE8 this year. His film has been super impressive, showing lateral speed that helps him get to the football quickly and it has resulted in a lot of open field tackles.
ON THE RADAR
Sawyer Carl, Huntington North – 65 total tackles and 7.5 TFL
Gus Heavin, Angola – 56 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks
Ashtin Jacquay, Woodlan – 37 total tackles in only 3 games, two TFL
Aiden Reed, Garrett – 46 total tackles, 16 solo, six TFL
Daniel McDonald, Fremont – 46 total tackles, eight solo, four TFL
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