Pennsylvania's top high school football players for 2023: Meet the linebackers
The 2023 high school football season is finally here.
SBLive set out to find the best offensive and defensive players in the state at each position.
We started with the quarterbacks. Next up is a look at the top linebackers in Pennsylvania entering the 2023 season. Players from all classifications received consideration.
There are plenty of standout football players in Pennsylvania, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Tag us on X or Instagram at @SBLivePA to discuss the other linebackers worthy of fans’ attention in 2023. You can also submit player nominations to ryan@scorebooklive.com.
(Note: These lists were compiled prior to the first week of the season)
(Photo: Aliquippa's Cameron Lindsey (11) and several teammates surround McKeesport quarterback Jahmill Perryman. Credit: Lucy Schaly / For BCT / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Tyreé Alualu, sr., North Allegheny
The son of former Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Tyson Alualu, Tyreé Alualu is an inside linebacker with double-digit Division I offers. He recorded 42 tackles and two sacks as a junior.
Chad Beller Jr., sr., Catasauqua
Beller Jr. was everywhere on defense for Catasauqua a season ago, tallying 180 total tackles in 13 games. Eighteen of the tackles went for a loss, and Beller Jr. also had two sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Dayshaun Burnett, jr., Imani Christian
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Burnett is a four-star prospect whose Division I offers include Michigan, Penn State and Pittsburgh. As a sophomore, he notched 55 tackles (12 for loss) and three sacks.
Dominic Fetterolf, jr., Southern Columbia
Fetterolf put up 158 tackles, two sacks and an interception a season ago. The rising junior is a two-time Class 2A all-state selection.
Michael Gaul, jr., State College
Gaul is a junior standout for State College who already holds offers from Virginia Tech and Temple, among others. He recorded 122 tackles as a sophomore while also catching 19 passes for 357 yards and seven touchdowns as a wideout.
Domenic Grove, sr., Central York
Grove received Class 6A all-state recognition as a junior after putting up 147 tackles (12 for loss) and three sacks. He is a team captain for Central York, which finished 10-2 a season ago.
Logan Hamilton, sr., Garnet Valley
Hamilton is an athletic senior and a sure tackler. As a junior, Hamilton recorded 85 tackles (seven for loss), two forced fumbles and an interception.
Evan Johnson, sr., Pine-Richland
Johnson missed some time due to injury as a junior but still finished with 66 tackles as an outside linebacker. Johnson is also a standout lacrosse player for Pine-Richland.
Ryker Jones, sr., Wyomissing
A Princeton commit, Jones is a hard-hitting linebacker who is also a threat to score whenever he touches the ball on offense. He was a Class 3A all-state pick at linebacker as a junior.
Justin Kalitsnik, sr., Delaware Valley
A starter since his freshman year, Kalitsnik has led Delaware Valley in tackles each of the past two seasons. He recorded 143 tackles as a junior and is looking to exceed that mark this fall.
Cameron Kiersch, jr., Danville
Playing inside and outside linebacker, Kiersch piled up 89 tackles (18 for loss), four sacks and an interception as a sophomore. A two-year starter, he has 161 tackles for his career.
Cameron Lindsey, sr., Aliquippa
A Class 4A all-state selection as a junior, Lindsey notched 100 tackles and three forced fumbles during his junior season. In June, he committed to his hometown Pittsburgh Panthers.
Zach Ludwig, sr., South Park
Ludwig plays quarterback and linebacker for South Park, but his future at the next level will be on defense. He gave an out-of-nowhere commitment to Michigan last November and has risen up the recruiting rankings since.
Anthony Sacca, jr., St. Joseph’s Prep
Sacca, the son of former Penn State quarterback Tony Sacca, played safety as a sophomore and made the Class 6A all-state team. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, the four-star recruit should see more time at outside linebacker this season.
Isaiah Session, sr., Monsignor Bonner
Session was the leading tackler a season ago for a Monsignor Bonner team that won 11 games and surrendered just over 10 points per game. He was a Class 4A all-state honoree.
Luke Shaffer, sr., Northern Lebanon
Shaffer closed his junior season with 141.5 tackles, a new Northern Lebanon school record. He accomplished the feat in just nine games. Shaffer also plays tight end for the Vikings.
Hunter Smith, sr., Central
Also a star baseball player, Smith made the Class 3A all-state team as a junior after putting up 131 tackles (18 for loss), six sacks and two fumble recoveries. He also had 1,162 yards of total offense with 12 touchdowns.
Anthony Speca, sr., Pittsburgh Central Catholic
A four-star Penn State commit, Speca plays middle linebacker for Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Speca, who began his high school career as a quarterback, averaged more than 12 tackles per game last season.
Cole Sullivan, sr., Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Sullivan racked up 117 tackles, two sacks and four pass breakups en route to Class 6A all-state honors as a junior. The Michigan commit also plays basketball for Central Catholic and creates a terrifying one-two combo playing alongside Anthony Speca.
Dainn Vassallo, sr., Notre Dame-Green Pond
Vassallo had 28 tackles in a single game last season and finished the year with 165 tackles (eight for loss) and four sacks. He also scored five touchdowns on offense and was voted to the Class 3A all-state team at linebacker.
