Oklahoma's top high school football players: Meet the state's best linebackers

Who are the top linebackers in Oklahoma this season?

By Buck Ringgold

We're taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oklahoma high school football. This list focuses on the linebackers.

There are hundreds of standout football players in Oklahoma and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Use the comments section to discuss the other linebackers worthy of fans' attention in 2021.

Jake Clifton, 6-3, 205, Sr., Owasso

A Kansas State commit, Clifton finished with 72 total tackles and eight tackles for loss. He had a season-high 12 stops in the Rams' opening-round 6AI playoff loss to Broken Arrow.

Duncan Parham, 6-3, 225, Sr., Norman North

Parham averaged 8.7 tackles for the Timberwolves, who qualified for the 6AI playoffs. He also had three sacks, 33 solo tackles, seven quarterback hurries and three pass breakups.

Gabe Brown, 6-2, 220, Sr., Stillwater

Brown had a combined 200 tackles in his sophomore and junior seasons. The Oklahoma State commit missed some action this season due to injury, but was able to return in time to help the Pioneers reach the 6AII semifinals.

Ryan Shields, 6-2, 215, Sr., Weatherford

Shields finished his senior season with 127 total tackles, 92 solo. He also had six tackles for loss.

Zane Woodham, 6-0, 190, Sr., Holland Hall

Woodham has registered 144 tackles, 20.5 for loss and five sacks for the defending 3A champion Dutch, who have reached the 3A semifinal round. In a quarterfinal win against Perkins-Tryon, Woodham finished with 11 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Jack Puckett, 6-1, 210, Sr., Bixby

Puckett has 96 tackles this season along with 12 sacks. He has 21 tackles for loss as well for the Spartans, who are vying for their fourth straight 6AII state title and to set a state record 49th consecutive win on Dec. 2 in the championship game against Edmond Deer Creek. Puckett had seven tackles, four for loss, in Bixby's semifinal win against Stillwater.

Reese Roller, 6-0, 205, Jr., Verdigris

On the season, Roller has registered 100 tackles and 15 sacks for the Cardinals, who reached the semifinal round of the 3A playoffs.

Seth Wishon, 6-2, 205, Sr., Norman

Wishon recorded 113 total tackles for the Tigers. He had two sacks and six tackles for loss.

Cory Love, 5-9, 160, Sr., Destiny Christian

In 10 ballgames, Love finished with 115 total tackles. He had 10 sacks and 29 tackles for loss as well.

Eli McWilliams, 6-4, 200, Sr., Tahlequah

Early in his senior season, McWilliams committed to play at Tulsa. Last season, he had 78 total tackles, three sacks and an interception.

Chase Faber, 6-3, 215, Sr., McAlester

Faber is one of the leaders of the Buffaloes' defense, helping the team to a perfect regular season and a berth to the 5A semifinals. Through 12 games, Faber had 118 tackles, including 20 in a win against Ada. He also has 17 tackles for loss, four sacks, an interception, two caused fumbles and three pass deflections.

Mikey Devereaux, 6-1, 200, Sr., El Reno

Devereaux was the Indians' leading tackler his junior season. In his senior season opener, he had 14 tackles. Devereaux is also receiving attention from various Division II schools.

Dean Odom, 6-3, 210, Sr., Poteau

Odom, part of the Pirates' 2019 4A title team as a sophomore, had 65 total tackles through 12 games as Poteau reached the 4A semifinals; 15 coming in the team's opening-round win against Catoosa. He has 34 solo stops, 13.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, four in that playoff game against Catoosa.

Brigham Evans, 6-2, 205, Sr., Heritage Hall

Evans has 78 tackles and 14 stops for loss through the Chargers' first 12 games, all wins, as Heritage Hall has reached the 3A semifinals. Evans had 17 stops in a win against Perkins-Tryon. He also has six sacks.

Kazeyn Bird, 5-11, 205, Jr., Westmoore

Bird averaged 11.8 tackles through 10 games for his team. He had 63 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Xavin Lackey, 6-1, 218, Sr., Vian

A four-year starter, Lackey has received interest from colleges, including at the Division I level. He helped the Wolverines reach the 2A title game as a sophomore. In his first two games this season, Lackey totaled nine tackles.

Braxton Peterson, 6-2, 205, Sr., Spiro

A four-year starter at linebacker, Peterson finished his impressive Bulldog career with 96 tackles in the 2021 season. He also had three sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass breakup.

Tydonte Chester, 6-4, 230, Sr., Garber

Chester recorded 68 total tackles, 17 coming in a late-season win against Covington-Douglas. He also had 44 solo stops, 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a caused fumble.

Braylon Hood-Colbert, 5-9, 190, Jr., Mustang

Hood-Colbert finished with 49 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as he helped the Broncos reach the 6AI semifinals.

Drake Fain, 5-11, 210, Jr., Sand Springs

Fain recorded 105 total tackles in helping the Sandites reach the 6AII semifinals. He had 14 in the team's opening-round playoff win at Del City. Fain had 38 solo stops, six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and an interception on the season as well.