Top linebackers in Alabama high school football

From Clay-Chalkville's D’Angelo Barber to Ramsay's Quinton Reese, Alabama is loaded with talent at the linebacker position

SBLive is taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Alabama high school football. This list focuses on the linebackers.

There are hundreds of standout football players in Alabama, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

You can discuss the other linebackers worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Facebook at @SBLiveAL or by emailing tyler@scorebooklive.com.

TOP LINEBACKERS IN ALABAMA

D’Angelo Barber, sr., Clay-Chalkville

Barber was productive as a junior for Clay-Chalkville, recording 115 total tackles (nine for loss), a pair of sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. The three-star recruit is committed to Auburn. 

Jamison Curtis, sr., Saraland

A sure tackler in the middle of Saraland’s defense, the speedy Curtis plays with plenty of physicality. The three-star prospect flipped his commitment from Troy to Memphis over the summer. 

Sterling Dixon, sr., Spanish Fort

A four-star Alabama commit, Dixon transferred from Mobile Christian to Spanish Fort during the offseason. Dixon recently suffered a shoulder injury that will sideline him indefinitely. 

Caleb Dozier, sr., Headland

Dozier, a three-star athlete, committed to Mississippi State in April. He has been productive this fall with 35 tackles (12 for loss) through Headland’s first four games of the season. 

Jakaleb Faulk, jr., Highland Home

A two-way standout for Class 2A Highland Home, Faulk tallied 79.5 tackles (13 for loss) and an interception as a sophomore. The four-star recruit committed to Auburn over offers from Alabama, Clemson and others back in August. 

Will Felton, sr., Pelham

A three-star prospect, Felton committed to South Alabama over the summer. Felton recorded 52 total tackles and 6.5 sacks as a junior. 

ZJ Grady, jr., Beauregard

Grady is a junior linebacker who showcased his sideline-to-sideline speed with 21 total tackles in a recent win over Tallassee. Three three-star prospect’s offers include Appalachian State and UAB. 

Ethan Johnson, sr., Shades Valley

Playing in only nine games last season, Johnson racked up 153 total tackles en route to second-team Class 6A all-state honors. He is a three-star recruit with double-digit Division I offers. 

Anthony Jones, so., St. Paul’s Episcopal

One of the country’s most sought-after sophomores, Jones is the No. 1 national linebacker and No. 7 overall recruit in the 247Sports class of 2026 rankings. He had 130 total tackles, 15 sacks and two interceptions as a freshman. 

Kentonio Kelly, jr., Mobile Christian

A small-school standout for Class 3A Mobile Christian, Kelly tallied 162 total tackles (15 for loss) as a sophomore. Kelly is averaging 12 tackles per game this season. 

Quinton Reese, sr., Ramsay

Reese, a three-star prospect, amassed 155 total tackles (24 for loss) and five sacks during his junior season for Ramsay. He recently committed to Alabama. 

AJ Rice, jr., Madison Academy

A varsity player since his freshman season, Rice is a physical linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds. The junior committed to Mississippi State at the beginning of September. 

Demarcus Riddick, sr., Chilton County

Riddick, a 247Sports composite five-star recruit, is rated the nation’s No. 3 overall senior linebacker. The Auburn commit had 109 total tackles as a junior and also averaged nearly a double-double in basketball. 

Bradley Shaw, sr., Hoover

A four-star senior, Shaw’s numerous offers include Alabama, Auburn and Clemson. He is also a standout track and field thrower who captured the Class 7A discus state title as a sophomore while placing second in the shot put (55 feet, 4.5 inches) and third in the discus (153-5) last spring. 

E’Mauri Smiley, jr., Opelika

Smiley is a versatile junior who is capable of playing inside and outside linebacker. A three-star prospect, Smiley holds offers from Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall and UAB. 

Talton Thomas, jr., Homewood

Thomas has the speed to cover receivers in space and the physicality to make plays in the box. As a sophomore, Thomas recorded 116 total tackles (13.5 for loss) and received Class 6A second-team all-state recognition. 

Nate Thomason, sr., Helena

Thomason filled up the stat sheet as a junior with 111 total tackles (17 for loss), three sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception and a defensive touchdown. The three-star prospect committed to Memphis over the summer. 

Kam Weaver, sr., Andalusia

Weaver put up 83 total tackles (15 for loss), four interceptions, three sacks and scored three defensive touchdowns as a junior for Class 4A power Andalusia. The three-star recruit will play college football for Charlotte. 

Latori Williams, sr., Central

Central’s defense is stout at all three levels, and Williams is the leader in the linebacker room. The athletic three-star senior is committed to Georgia Southern. 

Eric Winters, jr., Enterprise

A four-star junior, Winters notched 54 tackles and three interceptions during his sophomore season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete also plays basketball for Enterprise.