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Texas high school football is only weeks away from fall practice, and excitement grows as fans, players and coaches with high aspirations anticipate the return of Friday night lights in West Texas.
Despite the turnover from departing senior classes, many of the nearly 40 teams in the Standard-Times coverage area retained plenty of young talent, as well as bringing in some new faces, looking to make their mark on the 2024 season.
Before the season begins, the Standard-Times will highlight the top local players in seven position groups — quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, offensive linemen, defensive backs, defensive linemen, and linebackers.
Today, we finish our position group watch list by spotlighting the top returning linebackers to watch in West Texas.
Linebackers to watch in 2024
Honorable Mention: Devin Medina, sr., Miles; Jaidyn Vineyard, sr., Coahoma
Sire Garcia, jr., Grape Creek
Garcia was a breakout star for the Eagles on defense in 2023 earning Defensive Newcomer of the Year in District 2-3A Division II. He finished the season with 68 tackles, five tackles for a loss and two interceptions returned for touchdowns, earning an All-West Texas Honorable Mention.
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Crue Levien, jr., Junction
Junction took a huge step forward last season going winless in 2022 to a playoff birth and six wins in 2023, and Levien’s performance was a large part of the success. In his first season on varsity, he finished with 93 tackles and one sack and was an All-West Texas Honorable Mention.
Ethan Michalwicz, sr., Wall
Michalwicz was the newcomer among Wall’s dominant linebacker core in 2023, but made his presence felt by finishing the season with a team-high 120 tackles while adding 15 tackles for a loss, five quarterback hurries and four sacks. He was named the District 2-3A Division II Defensive MVP and earned a spot on the All-West Texas first team defense.
Jaekob Jackson, jr., Central
Jackson stepped into a big role as a rotational player on Central’s young defense in 2023. He finished the season with 41 tackles, six tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. With a full year under his belt, he is primed for a huge leap in a larger role under new head coach Mark Smith.
Clancy Osbourn, jr., Mason
On a team loaded with defensive talent, Osbourn earned the spotlight as one of the Punchers’ top players as a sophomore in 2023. The District 14-2A Division I Defensive MVP finished last season with 125 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 10 quarterback pressures, 10 sacks, four passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble and earned a spot on the All-West Texas first team defense.
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Parker Posey, sr., Irion County
The All-West Texas Six-man Defensive Player of the Year capped off another impressive season starring for the Hornets’ defense in 2023. Posey finished with 151 tackles, seven fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.
Manuel Riojas, sr., Christoval
Riojas was the Cougars’ main option in the run game last season but also made a name for himself on the defensive side of the football. He recorded 64 tackles, recovered two fumbles, was named to the District 3-2A Division first team defense and was an All-West Texas Honorable Mention.
Sutton Silerio, sr., Mason
While rushing for over 1,000 yards on offense for the Punchers last season, Silerio was also a force on defense racking up 93 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, five quarterback pressures, four sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He was named to the All-West Texas second team defense at the end of the season.
Jaylen Torres, sr., Miles
Torres was a major reason for the Bulldogs’ defensive upswing in the past few seasons and helped them get their first playoff win in years against Sterling City in 2023. He finished his junior campaign with 86 tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and was named to the All-West Texas second team defense.
Hunter Tucker, sr., Veribest
Tucker was a crucial piece to Veribest’s resurgent season that saw them go from one win in 2022 to seven last year. He finished the season as the Falcon’s leading tackler with 99 tackles and added 12 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, two sacks and one fumble recovery and was named to the All-West Texas Six-man team defense.
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @Paul_Witwer
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: High School football: Top West Texas linebackers to watch in 2024
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