Top linebackers in California high school football to watch in 2024

Here's 50 of the top prospects, most productive to play the position

Marco Jones (23), the Bay Area's top recruit from San Ramon Valley, is about to pull down De La Salle's Derrick Blanche Jr., the Bay's No. 43 player. / Photo: Dennis Lee

California has been blessed with some NFL linebacking greats. 

Ted Bruschi (Roseville), Jack Del Rio (Hayward), Willie McGinest (Long Beach Poly), Ron Rivera (Seaside), Jerry Robinson (Cardinal Newman), Junior Seau (Oceanside) and D.J. Williams (De La Salle) all prepped in the Golden State before embarking on amazing professional careers. 

TOP RUNNING BACK LISTS: California's Top 50 | North Coast Section | Southern Section | San Diego Section | Central Coast Section | Central Section | Sac-Joaquin Section

The latest crop of defensive leaders and tackling machines are below heading into the 2024 season. Here are 50 to keep an eye on. 

TOP QUARTERBACK LISTS: California’s Top 50 | San Diego Section | Southern Section |North Coast Section | Central Coast Section| Central Section | Sac-Joaquin Section

TOP 20 RECRUITED 2025 LINEBACKERS FROM CALIFORNIA

1. Matai Tagoa’i, San Clemente, USC

Long and lean 6-foot-4, 200-pounder is the state’s No. 4 recruit overall. Excellent in pass coverage. 

2. Noah Mikhail, Bonita, Texas A&M

A much different build than Tagoa’i, the 6-3, 227-pounder is stout, but still long and rangy. He’s sideline-to-sideline on the defensive end, but can also play tight end. He had 166 tackles in 2023, sixth most in the state. 

3. Madden Faraimo, JSerra Catholic, undecided

One look at Faraimo and you know what position he plays. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound national recruit carries offers to Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC. He tallied 101 tackles and two sacks last season for JSerra.

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4. Marco Jones, San Ramon Valley, Texas A&M

SRV MLB Marco Jones (23) on way to pick 6 vs. Pittsburg at NCS D1 final at Dublin High (By Dennis Lee:SBLive Sports.jpg /

The menacing 6-5, 240-pound middle linebacker for the Wolves has piled up 318 tackles over the last two seasons. He might move to edge rusher in college. He’s ranked No. 9 in the state overall. 

5. Mark Iheanachor, Narbonne, SMU

The 6-2, 215-pounder picked the Mustangs over 21 other offers, including Oklahoma, Arizona State and Kansas State, all places he visited. Also a standout running back — he rushed for 852 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior — he’s being recruited as a LB. 

6. LaVar Arrington, Charter Oaks, Penn State

The Nittany Lions are known for their linebackers over the years — including his father by the same name who was an All-American for Penn State in 1998 — and they’ll get another top-notch standout in the 6-4, 215-pounder. Extremely fast, he had 65 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior. 

7. Abduall Sanders Jr., Mater Dei, Alabama

Versatility is Sanders' best asset. He can play off the edge. He can drop back in coverage. He can run with the quick guys. He can clog up run gaps, too. Listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Sanders recorded 48 tackles and caused three fumbles last season for the Monarchs.

8. Weston Port, San Juan Hills, UCLA

The 6-2, 225-pounder picked the Bruins over 32 other schools, including Auburn, BYU and Georgia. He had 128 tackles and three interceptions as a junior. 

9. McKay Madsen, Clovis North

Clovis North senior McKay Madsen (3) is one of California's top all-around senior athletes. He's rushed for 1,677 career yards and 28 touchdowns. / Photo: Bobby Medellin

The 6-2, 220-pounder led the Broncos to 13 straight victories last season not only by rushing for more than 1,000 yards, scoring 18 touchdowns and adding 75 tackles with four interceptions. A tremendous athlete, he also won two state track and field titles, taking the shot put (63-6) and discus (206-8). 

10. Etene Pritchard, Pittsburg, San Diego State

The fleet and strong 6-1, 185-pounder could move to strong safety in college. He has 204 career tackles in his first three seasons with 7.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. 

11. Venilaite Wolfgramm, Inglewood

The 6-foot, 225-pounder had 136 tackles and 10 for loss as a junior. The stout 6-foot, 225-pound backer holds offers to Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Michigan State.

12. Nick Lavizzo, Pacifica

Pacifica's Izaiah Estrada and Nick Lavizzo are called for pass interference as they hit Rio Mesa's Sal Maria too early during the third quarter of their CIF-SS Division 4 first-round playoff game at Pacifica High on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. Pacifica won 34-7. Pacifica Vs Rio Mesa Cif Playoff D4 21 / JOE LUMAYA/SPECIAL TO THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

SMU, North Texas and Florida Atlantic are among the colleges that have offered the 6-foot, 201-pounder, who has 197 career tackles. 

13. Carter Jones, Crean Lutheran

The Cal-bound standout stands 6-feet and weighs 210 pounds. He has 17 offers in all and has received offers from Florida State, Boston College, Miami, Michigan State and Oklahoma. He had 152 tackles last season. 

14. Duke Giarraputo, Loyola

The 6-3, 210-pounder has nine offers, including SMU and Arizona. 

15. Cory McEnroe, Thousand Oaks 

Thousand Oaks High's Cory McEnroe drives for some extra yardage against Westlake during the first quarter of the teams' nonleague game at Westlake High on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. The Lancers won 27-3. / JOE LUMAYA/SPECIAL TO THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

Had 124 tackles, including career high 20 in a 38-23 win over Moorpark, last season. The 6-2, 225-pounder had at least 10 tackles in six games. 

16. Sirr Bible, Millikan, San Jose State

The Bible name is known well in Southern California, and football is the family business. This 6-foot-1, 220-pound inside backer has natural instincts that allow him to pursue ball carriers and anticipate play development well. Bible is set for a huge senior season.

17. Jackson Cahoon, St. Francis-Mountain

The 6-1, 220-pounder has 11 college offers including Army and Navy.

18. Christian Knoos, Oaks Christian, Davis

Knoos picked Davis over numerous Ivy League schools along with Army, Washington State, Louisville and San Jose State. 

Linebacker Christian Knoos gives a thumbs-up to coaches during an Oaks Christian football team practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. The Lions, who are 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the Marmonte League, host rival Westlake on Friday night. Oaks Christian Football 7 / JUAN CARLO/THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

19. Ryan Barrios, Citrus Valley

Had 103 tackles in 2023 with three sacks and six pass deflections

20. Jaire Broach, Desert Hot Springs

The 6-foot, 200-pounder led all juniors in tackles last season with 220, almost 17 per game for the 9-4 Golden Eagles

TOP 10 RECRUITED 2026 LINEBACKERS FROM CALIFORNIA

1. Talanoa Ili, Orange Lutheran

With two more seasons to play in his high school career, Ili could end up being the top backer in California heading into the fall of 2025. As a sophomore he recorded 15 tackles for loss, including four sacks. Ili carries offers from Miami, Arizona, Florida, Michigan and Notre Dame.

 2. Tristan Phillips, Ventura

The 6-3, 215-pounder is also a standout basketball player. On the gridiron he has 102 career tackles. 

Oxnard quarterback Andrew Maria tries to get away from Ventura's Tristan Phillips during the second quarter of a Channel League opener at Oxnard High on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Ventura won 10-7. Ventura-Oxnard 20 / JOE LUMAYA/SPECIAL TO THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

3. Kenneth Goodwin, Narbonne

Has all sorts of college interest, including Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan and Georgia, all among the 23 who have offered him a scholarship. He might end up a strong safety at 6-1, 205. 

4. Jonathan McKinley, Centennial

McKinley tallied 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 12 hurries as a sophomore for the Huskies last season, and could double the tackles and sacks this upcoming fall. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder holds offers to Cal, SMU, UNLV and San Diego State. 

5. Oscar Aguilar, Downey

The 6-3, 205-pounder is ranked the No. 96 California recruit overall from the Class of 2026.

6. Ezaya Tokio, Oceanside

The big rangy backer (6-4, 200) has 132 career tackles, two sacks and three pass deflections. 

7. Fifita Moore, Centennial

Arizona has made an offer to the 6-1, 225-pounder. 

8. Irvrick Carrigan, Santa Margarita

A transfer from Los Alamitos, the 5-11, 205-pounder should be a big contributor for the state's No. 12 team. 

9. Tim Ioane, Tustin

The 6-1, 205-pounder is ranked the No. 63 linebacker in the country. 

10. Christian Panapa, Orange Lutheran

The big hitter is only 5-10, 190, but he packs a powerful punch. He already has an offer from Louisville. 

15 MORE LINEBACKER PRODUCERS (2023 totals)

(Alphabetical)

Lucio Ascolani, Vincent Memorial, Sr. — 197 tackles, 17 for loss

Jaymere Broach, Desert Hot Springs, Sr.  — 164 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 caused fumbles

Jason Davis Jr., Gridley, Jr. — 138 tackles, 12 games

Kody Galloway, Banning, So. — 131 tackles, 17 for loss, 6.5 sacks

Matthew Galvan, Diamond Bar, Sr. — 150 tackles in 11 games, 274 career tackles

Abee Hernandez, Strathmore, Sr. — 152 tackles, 2 FR for 12-4 Spartans

Roman Jacobs, Palo Alto, Sr. — OLB 160 tackles, 9 for loss, 2 sacks

Joseph Kessler, Palo Alto, Sr. — MLB had 175 tackles

Talan Lamattina, Liberty-Madera, Sr. — 146 tackles, 11 for loss

Troy Long, Ramona, Jr., — 174 tackles, 5 sacks

Henry Masters, Los Gatos, Sr. — 172 tackles for NorCal champions

Tyler Romo, Immanuel, Jr. — 152 tackles, 4 sacks

Isaiah Ruiz, West Covina, Sr. — 145 tackles, 24 for loss, 7.5 sacks

Dominic Wilson, Tulare Union, Sr. — MLB 155 tackles

Zachariah Winters, Lynwood, Jr. — 178 tackles