Top high school linebackers in the Southland

Linebackers to watch:

D.J. Beavers; Crespi; 6-1; 215; Sr.; He’s mean and let’s running backs know it.

Breland Brandt; L.A. Windward; 6-4; 220; Jr.; Getting better and better.

Darrian Franklin; Downey; 6-2; 210; Jr.; Rising college prospect.

Lawson Hall; Narbonne; 6-1; 200; Jr.; Ready for breakout junior season.

Daelin Hayes; Narbonne; 6-3; 225; Jr.; Michigan transfer is committed to USC.

Ben Humphreys; Mater Dei; 6-1; 210; Sr.; Committed to Duke.

John Houston; Gardena Serra; 6-3; 210; Sr.; Terrific all-around athletic skills.

Keisean Lucier-South; Orange Lutheran; 6-5; 225; Sr.; Can be best in California.

Eddie Rudinski; Oaks Christian; 6-2; 210; Sr. Eleven college offers and counting.

Khaylan Thomas; Etiwanda; 6-1; 217; Sr.; Lots of athleticism.

Josh Woods; Upland; 6-2; 215; Sr; Committed to UCLA.

Others:

Corey Adolphus; Gardena Serra; 6-3; 180; Sr.; Watch him pressure quarterbacks.

Nas Anesi; St. John Bosco; 6-0; 221; Sr.; Starter on 16-0 team.

Denzel Brantley; Los Alamitos; 6-1; 203; Sr.; Three-year starter with speed.

Josh Brown; Long Beach Poly; 6-2; 220; So.; All signs point toward being a future standout.

Quincy Bennett; Westlake; 6-0; 225; Sr.; A star in Marmonte League.

Anthony Camargo; Bishop Amat; 6-3; 210; Sr.; Has size and mobility.

Andre Chevalier; Oaks Christian; 5-11; 215; Sr.; Steady, reliable tackler.

Darian Cohen; El Camino Real; 6-0; 223; Jr.; Averaged more than 12 tackles as sophomore.

Christian Decker-Weible; Heritage; 5-11; 230; Sr.; Had 101 tackles as a junior.

Tavon Duker; L.A. University; 6-3; 200; Sr.; Had 17 sacks.

Manuopuava Tui-Enesi; Carson; 6-0; 230; Sr.; Inside linebacker with talent.

Parker Godfrey; Mission Viejo; 5-10; 190; Sr.; A South Coast League standout.

Xavier Hernandez; Villa Park; 6-3; 225; Sr.; One of the best in Orange County.

Clinton Hewitt; Dorsey; 6-2; 230; Sr.; Has size to disrupt running backs.

Matt Locher; Los Alamitos; 6-3; 245; Sr.; He’s healthy and ready to hit hard.

Omari Lyles; Long Beach Poly; 5-11; 220; Sr.; Leader of top defense.

Justin Parcells; Servite; 5-11; 215; Sr.; Toughness is his trait.

Mike Ramos; S.O. Notre Dame; 5-8; 205; Sr.; All he does is make tackles.

Jack Savage; Servite; 6-2; 220; Sr.; He’s healthy, so beware.

Alec Simpson; Palisades; 6-3; 205; Jr.; Has mobility and toughness to be impact player.

Travis Shollin; Corona Santiago; 6-2; 230; Sr.; Straight A student who makes plays.

Jalen Starks; Crespi; 6-0; 230; Jr.; Watch how he develops.

Alec Stevenson; Malibu; 5-11; 215; Jr.; Standout in Frontier League.

Manase Time; Edison; 5-11; 190; Sr.; Sunset defensive MVP.

Kyahva Tezino; Salesian; 6-0; 190; Sr. Outside linebacker uses his quickness.

Tyree Thompson; Alemany; 6-2; 235; Sr.; Ready for a big season.

Lokeni Toailoa; Carter; Jr.; 6-2; 210; Jr.; Middle linebacker is good tackler.

Michael Williams; Inglewood; 6-4; 220; Sr.; Has size to cause big problems.

Riley Whimpey; San Clemente; 6-2; 210; Sr.; Utah transfer has ability.

Bryce Youngquist; Los Osos; 6-2; 210; Jr.; Gaining attention as prospect.

Coming Wednesday: A look at the region’s top high school defensive backs.