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State of Texas loaded with Power 5 linebacker prospects

Gerry Hamiltonby:Gerry Hamilton•01/25/24•

GHamilton_On3

Kelvion Riggins
Photo by Chad Simmons/On3

There have been some years in the state of Texas that finding high-end linebacker prospects has been few and far between. That is not the case in the 2025 cycle.

There are already 15 linebacker prospects in the Lone Star State that have Power 5 offers headed into the spring camp season and evaluation period. That number is expected to grow to over 20 by the 2024 season.

That list includes two of the very best nationally, and as many as six future 4-stars as the rankings expand.

On3 takes a look at the linebacker prospects to know in Texas in the 2025 cycle:

Ten linebacker prospects to know in Texas

Riley Pettijohn, McKinney (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 27 (4-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 3
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 7
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is the top ranked linebacker in Texas, and one of the most heavily sought nationally. He visited Texas last weekend, and is scheduled to be at Texas A&M January 27. Florida State, Auburn, Oregon and many others are in pursuit.

Elijah Barnes, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 85 (4-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 13
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 16
Barnes, 6-foot-2.5, 220-pounds, is the top inside linebacker prospect in the state. He’s also a top flight national recruit. Wednesday alone brought out Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinators from LSU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Barnes visit Texas January 20, and is scheduled to be at Texas A&M January 27.

Max Granville, LB/EDGE, Sugar Land (Texas) Fort Bend Christian
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 132 (4-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 10 (EDGE)
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 23
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is being recruited by colleges as a prospect that can play off ball linebacker, but also play off the edge. He has has that level of athleticism and versatility. The son of former NLF linebacker Billy Granville made visits to Texas A&M, TCU and Baylor the last couple weekends, and will be at Oklahoma January 27 and LSU February 3. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and USC head coach Lincoln Riley are scheduled to stop by Fort Bend Christian next week.

Kelvion Riggins, Forney (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 241 (4-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 26
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 41
The 5-foot-11.5, 210-pound Riggins will come off the board Friday. His most recent visit was Texas A&M January 13. Oklahoma, SMU, Tennessee, Baylor, Ohio State and Florida are also in contention.

Richmond Ogochukwu, Richardson (Texas) Berkner
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 345 (4-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 38
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 61
The DFW area undersized linebacker has 10 offers, including Baylor, Houston and Texas Tech. Arkansas became the latest to offer earlier this week.

Javar Thomas, Aldine (Texas) Nimitz
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 387 (3-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 43
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 65
Aldine Nimitz has been on an uptick keeping talented players at the school, and the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Thomas is at the top of the list. The rangy linebacker has picked up offers from Houston, Colorado State and UNLV this month. TCU and Baylor offered in October.

Anthony Williams, LB/EDGE, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek – *Texas commitment
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 423 (3-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 45
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 72
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder committed to Texas January 1. His frame is that of a 6-foot-3, 225-230-pound linebacker.

JJ Shelton, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 427 (3-star)
On3 Industry linebacker ranking: No. 46
On3 State of Texas Rank: No. 73
The South Oak Cliff Bears continue to churn out Power 5 prospects. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Shelton is one of those in the 2025 cycle. Shelton is up to 24 offers with Oklahoma, Purdue and UTEP since December. He attended Texas Junior Day January 20.

Watch for these prospects to shoot up the rankings

Jonathan Cunningham, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R
The 6-foot-2.5, 190-pounder is one of the most instinctive linebacker prospects in Texas. His upside is very high with the frame, instincts, physicality and pursuit speed. The future 4-star’s offer list has grown quickly with Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas, SMU and Oregon State since the 2023 season began. And that offer list will continue to grow.

Kaleb Burns, Cypress (Texas) Cy Falls
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R
Another instinctive linebacker with a playmaking nose for the ball. The 6-foot, 215-pounder picked up 10 offers since October. That list includes Tennessee, Texas Tech, Baylor, Houston, SMU, Pittsburgh and Maryland.

Others to know

Ke’Breion Winston, LB, Lancaster (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R
Power 5 offers: Four with Boston College most recent.

Keylan Abrams, LB/EDGE, DeSoto (Texas) High – *Purdue commit
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R
Power 5 offers: Four, with Texas Tech, Houston and Baylor since December.

Bobby Ross, LB/ATH, Lubbock (Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 410 (3-star)
Power 5 offer: Texas Tech

Ke’Von Carter, San Antonio (Texas) Wagner
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R

Elliott Schaper, Austin (Texas) Westlake
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R
Power 5 offer: California

Copelin Windfont, Crosby (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: N/R