Previewing the 2023 high school football season: Sammy Brown, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa headline top 10 linebackers

By Zack Poff Jul 26, 2023, 9:45am

Seven different states represented led by Georgia with four selections.

We have already checked out the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen and defensive linemen. Next up on the position-by-position breakdown are the linebackers.

Sammy Brown of Jefferson (Ga.) and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa of St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) headline the list. Both were 2022 MaxPreps Junior All-America first-team selections.

Brown was one of four linebackers from Georgia selected, joined by Zayden Walker of Schley County (Ellaville), Myles Graham of Woodward Academy (College Park) and Tyler Atkinson of Grayson (Loganville). Walker and Atkinson were the only non-seniors selected. No other state had more than one player crack the list.

Alabama, California, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas and Washington all had one apiece.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2024)
The 2022-23 MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year after standout performances in football, wrestling, and track and field. He finished last season with 113 tackles to go with 1,449 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns on offense.



Height: 6-3 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2024)
Racked up 111 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception for the No. 1 team in the country last season.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2024)
Sideline-to-sideline player checks all the boxes. Named the District 13-6A Defensive Player of the Year after posting 95 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)
The top-ranked linebacker in his class was a first-team selection on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America squad after leading the Wildcats to their first state championship game appearance.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 240
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)
The MaxPreps Washington Player of the Year was a standout performer on both sides of the ball while leading the Tornados to their first state title.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Florida | Class: Senior (2024)
Had a productive junior campaign playing against elite competition racking up 74 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Florida | Class: Senior (2024)
His father Earnest played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2003-11 and the five-star son has been a two-way standout during his high school career.



Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2024)
Finished his junior season with 109 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three interceptions.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Sophomore (2026)
Finished as the Rams second-leading tackler (112) while leading the team with 22 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Tennessee | Class: Senior (2024)
Racked up 129 tackles and two interceptions while leading the Mustangs to an undefeated season and spot at No. 13 in the final MaxPreps Top 25.