2020 Position Rankings Update: Linebacker
WHICH SCHOOL DESERVES TITLE OF LBU?
Rivals Ranking Week for the class of 2020 rolls along with debut of the new position rankings. While most people pay close attention to the Rivals100 and the Rivals250, plenty of moves happen across the board, especially at various positions. Today, we take a look at the new rankings at inside and outside linebacker and look at some of the biggest storylines at the position.
CLASS OF 2020 LINEBACKER RANKINGS: Inside linebackers | Outside linebackers
THURSDAY: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers/Tight Ends | Offensive line
FRIDAY: Defensive line | Linebackers | Defensive backs | Athletes
MORE: Class of 2020 Rivals100 | Rivals250
TEAM WITH TOP COMMIT: UTSA
This one will come as a surprise to many recruiting fans as UTSA managed to beat out power programs like LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M to land a commitment from the nation’s No. 108 overall player, linebacker Kelin Burrle. The Louisiana native clearly has a bond with the Road Runners' coaches, led by Frank Wilson, a former LSU assistant who has very deep roots in the state. Burrle has just six offers to date, but that number will likely increase as his recruitment moves along and UTSA will have its share of competition as the 2020 cycle moves along.
TEAM TO WATCH: ALABAMA
When aren’t the Tide a team to watch when it comes to the nation’s top linebackers? The class of 2020 is no exception, especially considering Alabama already holds a commitment from the nation’s No. 14 ranked outside linebacker, four-star Jackson Bratton. If all goes according to plan for Alabama fans that won’t be the only highly-ranked prospect that ends up committed to the Tide at the linebacker position. The top players at both inside and outside linebacker in Anthoine Sampah and Justin Flowe are both interested in the Tide, and it should also help Nick Saban's program that Quindarrius Robinson, the No. 19 ranked outside linebacker in the country, also hails from the Yellowhammer State.
PROSPECT TO WATCH: JUSTIN FLOWE
Flowe spent the spring dominating the camp circuit and that came on the heels of a sophomore season that helped him emerge as a national-level recruit. Every major program in the country has an interest in Flowe and his recruitment will likely span coast-to-coast, even though he’s in the heart of Pac-12 country. Flowe was in the discussion for the No. 1 overall player in the country and narrowly missed out, setting in at No. 2 overall. It’s been quite a while since a true linebacker has been that high in the rankings and it shows just how much potential Flowe has. He will have a chance to make his case for No. 1 again at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas later this month.
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: Revealing the top 10 players | Making the Case: Three who could land in top 10 | Who is the toughest to rank in 2020?
Tuesday: New Rivals100 | Mind of Mike: Farrell reacts to new R100 | Who should be No. 1 in 2020? | Will No. 1 player in 2020 head to Clemson?
Wednesday: The inital Rivals250 for 2020 | Five teams that should be pleased the most with new R250 | Rival Views: Who should top DL be? | Godfather and Gorney Podcast
Thursday: QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings | Rivals Rankings Podcast | New Rivals250 by the numbers | Is Florida the team to beat for Manuel?
Friday: DL rankings | LB rankings | DB rankings | ATH rankings
Saturday: Team rankings breakdown
Sunday: Mid-Atlantic states rankings | Southeast states | Midwest states | Texas | Florida | West states