Thursday March 28th, 2024 10:48AM

Football: Area's linebacker position returns some heavy hitters

By Bo Wilson Sports Editor

The second level of the defense is normally home to bounty hunters or better known as the linebackers. The 2021 crop of top area players at linebacker are athletic, hard-hitting and are ready to wreak havoc on the area's high-power offenses. 

As it’s proven to be a task every year to find out exactly who are the top returning players at their respective positions, Friday Game Night has put together a list of the top returning linebackers in 2021.

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Some of these guys already have accepted college offers, some have offers on the table, and some are starting to blip on the radar. 

Below are the top returning defensive backs/safeties across the area:

Buford -- Sr. Aubrey Smith, 70 tackles, 11 TFL (tackles for loss) / 2.5 sacks

Buford -- Sr. Malik Spencer (Michigan State commit), 44 tackles, 4 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 INT (interceptions)

Buford -- Sr. VJ Payne, 63 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks

Cherokee Bluff -- Sr. LB Brayden Nance, 81 tackles, 19 TFL

Dawson County -- Jr. Cade Moledor, 138 tackles, 4 TFL

Gainesville -- Jr. LB Stacy Hopkins, 57 tackles, 3 TFL

Jefferson -- Sr. Jordan Perry, 37 tackles, 5.5 TFL

Jefferson -- So. Sammy Brown, 51 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks

Jefferson -- Sr. Kadin Bailey, 58 tackles, 15 TFL, 6.5 sacks

Lakeview -- Jr. Luke Cooper, 72 tackles, 11 TFL, 1 sack, 4 PBU (pass break up)

Lakeview -- Jr. Landon Hanes, 75 tackles, 12 TFL,  4 sacks

North Hall -- Jr. Jeremiah  Telander, 143 tackles, 16 TFL, 5 sacks, 2021 All-AccessWDUN team, Region 7-3A Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team GACA All-State 

Rabun County -- Sr. Will Turpin, 124 Tackles, 14.5 TFL, 5 sacks, Region 8-2A Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State GACA/AJC

Towns County -- Sr. Seth Gillis, 75 tackles, 17 TFL, 3 sacks

West Hall -- Sr. Tilil Blackwell, 65 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, All-Region 7-3A 1st Team 

West Hall -- Sr. Nick Sturm, 86 tackles, 14 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 PBU, All-Region 7-3A 1st Team

White County -- Sr. LB Zion McMullen, 89 tackles, 7 TFL
      

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