Football: Strong group of SoCal linebackers

Good teams have good linebackers, and there’s lots of talented linebackers in Southern California for the 2015 season.

The versatile Mique Juarez of North Torrance, a USC commit, has gained attention for his speed and strength.

Breland Brandt, a UCLA commit from Windward, is improving fast as he gains football experience after being a basketball player.

Darrian Franklin of Downey, an Oregon commit, has mobility and knows how to tackle.

Curtis Robinson of Mater Dei, a Stanford commit, is a big-play defensive weapon. Junior Josh Brown of Long Beach Poly is set for an All-CIF season.

Lokeni Toailoa of Carter and Bryce Youngquist of Los Osos are standouts from the Inland Empire.

Gardena Serra has top tacklers in Blake Walls, Tysn Parker and Merlin Robertson, a sophomore.

In the City Section, Narbonne is loaded at linebacker, led by Lawson Hall and sophomore Raymond Scott.

Palisades is led by Alec Simpson. Gabriel McClain of University had 146 tackles. Solomone Taufahema of Birmingham was the top defensive player in the West Valley League a year ago.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer