The high school football season is upon us again.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the best players in Pennsylvania high school football.
We started with the best quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen and edge rushers. Now it’s time to take a look at the best linebackers.
There are many outstanding football players in Pennsylvania and these lists are not exhaustive. Tag us on X or Instagram at @SBLivePA to discuss the other linebackers who deserve fans’ attention in 2024. You can also send player nominations to [email protected].
(Note: These lists were compiled before the first week of the season)
Jake Bauer, Jr., Malvern Preparation
Bauer, who joined Navy, is a physical middle linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed. As a junior, he recorded 90 total tackles (10 for loss) and three interceptions.
Dane Bollinger, Sr., Cocalico
Bollinger isn’t the biggest linebacker at 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, but the senior leader is a ball-hunter who has topped 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons. Last fall, he recorded 129 total tackles (17 for loss), two sacks, one interception and six pass breakups en route to Class 5A all-state honors.
Declan Clancy, Sr., Manheim Municipality
A standout in both directions, Clancy was named Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 Linebacker of the Year as a junior after totaling 110 tackles and three sacks. He was equally effective on offense, amassing 1,357 total yards with 18 touchdowns.
Dominic Fetterolf, sr., Southern Colombia
Southern Columbia has won seven consecutive Class 2A state championships, and Fetterolf was the star of the last three title teams. He was named all-state three times and totaled 136 tackles, two sacks and a pick-six as a junior.
Colsen Gatten, Jr., Central Catholic Church in Pittsburgh
Gatten is an explosive linebacker who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. As a sophomore, he totaled 48 tackles and one interception. Gatten’s numerous early offers include Notre Dame, Penn State and Pittsburgh.
Michael Gaul, Sr., State College
Gaul has topped 100 tackles each of the last two seasons, including 117 as a junior. He also had four sacks and three interceptions en route to Class 6A all-state honors. Gaul’s offers include Temple and Virginia Tech.
George Hill, Sr., Forest Hill
Hill finished his junior year with 102 total tackles (12 for loss) and four forced fumbles. The middle linebacker transferred to Buffalo in July.
Shane Hulmes, Jr., Northwest Lehigh
Hulmes made the Class 3A All-State team as a sophomore after recording 116 total tackles (9.5 for loss). He also had 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.
Cameron Kiersch, Sr., Danville
Kiersch was named to the Class 3A all-state team last year along with Shane Hulmes, totaling 147 tackles (11 for loss), 2.5 sacks and two blocked kicks. He is also a star lacrosse player for Danville, scoring 41 goals and 15 assists as a junior.
Gabriel Laws, Sr., reading
Laws plays multiple positions on both sides of the ball for Reading, including linebacker. He was named a Class 6A all-state selection as a defensive athlete last fall.
Gianni Marino, Sr., Valley view
Marino is an aggressive linebacker who attacks ball carriers with all his might. He totaled 135 tackles (11 for loss), 2.5 sacks, six hurries and eight pass breakups en route to earning Class 4A All-State honors last season.
Ethan Miller, Sr., Selinsgrove
Another returning Class 4A all-state defensive back, Miller is a hard-hitting linebacker and fullback. As a junior, he recorded 132 total tackles, 19 of which resulted in a loss.
Jerrell Palmer, Jr., Chester
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Palmer is a compact linebacker who led District 1 with 156 tackles (20 for loss) as a sophomore and was selected to Class 5A All-State.
Bryson Roberson, Sr., Sharon
Roberson was named District 10’s top defensive player as a junior, totaling 110 tackles (nine for loss) and 3.5 sacks. He also competes as a thrower for Sharon in track and field.
Anthony Sacca, Sr., St. Joseph’s Preparation
Sacca, a four-star recruit from Notre Dame, switched from safety to linebacker last season and totaled 67 tackles and two inceptions. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound prodigy made the Class 6A all-state team.
Zykee Scott, so., Imhotep Charter
Scott was a key player in his freshman season at Imhotep Charter, totaling 23 tackles with one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He already has an offer from Penn State and is one of Pennsylvania’s most coveted recruits in the class of 2027.
Bo Sechrist, Jr., Jersey Shore
Sechrist has been an impact player since his freshman season, totaling 108 tackles (17 for loss), three interceptions and two forced fumbles last year. The hard-working linebacker made the Class 4A All-State team.
Cam Smith, Sr., St. Joseph’s Preparation
Smith, who transferred from Duke to Penn State in August, led St. Joseph’s Prep in total tackles last season with 72. The four-star prospect will team up with Anthony Sacca this fall to form the best linebacker duo in Pennsylvania.
Xair Stevenson, Sr., University preparation
Stevenson, who has committed to Buffalo, is a standout both-way player who is expected to be University Prep’s preferred receiver this season while also leading the defense. As a junior, he had 133 total tackles (10.5 for loss) and two interceptions.
Alex Tatsch, sr., Greater Latrobe
Tatsch, a four-star prospect from Penn State, recorded 85 total tackles (seven for loss), four sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles during his junior season. The Class 4A all-state pick also scored six points on offense.
Stick with SBLive Pennsylvania all season long for all of our high school football coverage. You can follow our Pennsylvania high school football scoreboards all season long.
