Rival Views: Who will be the first five-star LB in 2023 rankings?

The first full Rivals250 for the 2023 class was released this week, and several linebackers rank near the top of the list. There is not a five-star linebacker in the 2023 class yet, however, so three Rivals analysts debate which of the highly ranked prospects will be the first to achieve that status at the position.

NEW LB RANKINGS: Outside linebacker | Inside linebacker

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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK

Monday: Five-star countdown | Arch Manning is new No. 1

Tuesday: Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney's thoughts | Meet the new five-stars | Top player at each position | Could there be five five-stars from Alabama?

Thursday: DL rankings released | LB rankings released | DB rankings released | ATH rankings released | Is Matayo Uigalelei underrated?

Friday: State rankings

Saturday: Rivals Roundtable

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“After a breakout sophomore season and plenty of early offseason hype, it feels like the chatter about Indiana linebacker Drayk Bowen has cooled off in recent months. There is a reason for that, though. As talented as Bowen is on the gridiron, he is also a standout on the baseball diamond and spends spring and most of his summer doing a different kind of hitting.

"The high school football season will start in Indiana next week, however, and so should the buzz about Bowen. He is an ideally sized linebacker with loads of physical gifts, but it is the style of play that attracts so much attention and offers from Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Bowen flies around the field, running over everything and everyone in his way in pursuit of the football, and it is fun to watch.” -Josh Helmholdt

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“Bryant might end up ranked as a defensive end because he’s dominant off the edge, but he can also play in space, cover down the field and do so well everything that outside linebackers do. It’s hard to believe he was a sophomore last season because the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy prospect is so physically dominant on the field - and so fast. Bryant can track people down, he loves to stalk the ball carrier and rip them to the ground and he’s someone who can come off the edge or blitz up the middle to make things problematic for the offense.

"Because of his physical prowess and that position versatility, Bryant should get the most consideration as a five-star linebacker.” - Adam Gorney

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“Ausberry enjoyed a brilliant offseason, and he continued to establish himself as one of the premiere defensive prospects in the 2023 class. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound hybrid defender brings the athleticism and sideline-to-sideline speed of a safety paired with the physicality and pass-rushing instincts of an outside linebacker.

"Ausberry has a nose for the football and a knack for big plays. He's a sure tackler in space and can cover an array of different pass-catchers. This season, Ausberry has a chance to make a ton of plays as one of the focal points of the Baton Rouge (La.) University defense.

"LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Florida are all battling for the versatile backer.” - Sam Spiegelman

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CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250

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