Previewing the 2022 high school football season: Anthony Hill Jr., Troy Bowles headline top 10 linebackers

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

Anthony Hill Jr. of Denton Ryan (Texas) and Troy Bowles of Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) headline the list. Both were selected to the 2021 MaxPreps Junior All-America team as Hill Jr. led the Raiders to their first state title since 2002 during his sophomore season and Bowles helped the Tigers win their first state championship in 53 years.

Bowles is one of three 2023 Georgia commits featured. CJ Allen of Lamar County (Barnesville, Ga.) and Raylen Wilson of Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) join Jesuit's four-star linebacker. Tackett Curtis (USC) and Drayk Bowen (Notre Dame) are the other two linebackers already committed.

Three of the 10 selections are juniors — Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa of St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), Sammy Brown of Jefferson (Ga.) and TJ Capers of Columbus (Miami). They are still uncommitted and the only senior featured who is still undecided is Hill Jr.

Florida leads the way with four linebackers featured followed by Georgia with two. California, Indiana, Louisiana and Texas all have one selection.

1. Anthony Hill Jr., Ryan (Denton, Texas)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)

The top-ranked linebacker in his class finished his junior season with 131 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and scored seven touchdowns on offense.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205

Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)

Racked up over 100 tackles and led the Tigers to a top 10 finish in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-2.5 | Weight: 225

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)

Missed his sophomore season with a knee injury after a strong freshman year in the spring. Will play a major role on defense for the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220

Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)

The recent USC pledge has stood out as a safety and linebacker at the high school level. He posted 100-plus tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and had one interception in 2021.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)

Returned to Jones to finish his high school career after playing at a high level for IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) the last two years.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220

Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)

One of the top two-way players in high school football had nearly 100 tackles and three interceptions while rushing for 1,000-plus yards and 16 scores on offense.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215

Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)

Had more tackles (139) than any player featured and is one of the best sideline-to-sideline linebackers in the country.

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)

Flies around on defense and is one of the best all-around linebackers in high school football.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225

Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)

Named the best player in Indiana heading into the 2022 campaign after a stellar junior season racking up 105 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions while accounting for over 1,000 total yards and 20 scores.

The top-rated linebacker on 247Sports for the Class of 2024 put up legit numbers on both sides of the ball as a sophomore despite playing in only seven games. He posted 51 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks to go with 753 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on offense.