Dan Albano’s Top 10 linebackers so far in 2018:
1.Jackson Cloyd, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
Cloyd is enjoying a breakout season. He leads the Lancers in tackles with 45, including a season-high 16 against Mission Viejo last week. Cloyd also returned an interception 101 yards for a TD against the Diablos. UC Davis is his most recent offer. Oh, and don’t forget, he has three sacks.
2.Steele Dubar, Mater Dei, Sr.
The inside linebacker has lived up to his name with hard-nosed play and advanced instincts. He made a team-high 15 tackles against IMG Academy last week and shares the team lead for the season with 27.
3.Moses Sepulona, Mater Dei, Jr.
The junior has been one of the breakout performers for the Monarchs. He shares the team lead in tackles with Steele Dubar with 27 and also has two sacks. Sepulona also recorded two of the hardest hits against IMG Academy.
4. James Giles, Capistrano Valley, Sr.
The Cougars’ defense has been a force the last few years and Giles is doing his part to extend that legacy. He leads the swarming unit with 59 total tackles and also has three sacks.
5. Jaden Genova, JSerra, So.
The under-the-radar transfer from Mater Dei was among the linebackers spotlighted in the Trinity League Football Podcast’s midseason awards. He leads the Lions with 34 tackles and is second with 4.5 sacks.
6.Victor Clanton, JSerra, Sr.
The under-rated and hard-hitting Clanton is third on the Lions in tackles with 29 and ranks second in tackles for loss with six. Clanton also has four sacks.
7.Zach Brogden, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
Brogden ranks third on the Lancers in total tackles with 41, just behind junior Ethan Howard and Jackson Cloyd. But he leads the team in tackles for loss with 10.
8. Easton Mascarenas, Mission Viejo, So.
It will be interesting to see what position or positions Mascarenas plays in the future but for now, he’s a physical force at linebacker. He leads the Diablos in total tackles with 53. Syrr Barnes also has been outstanding for Mission Viejo
9. Michael Reddy, Los Alamitos, Sr.
The Griffins’ “Linebacker U” has produced another standout. Reddy has shown good instincts and consistency at inside linebacker. He also played well in a key victory against Long Beach Poly, recording nine solo tackles, a sack and recovered a fumble. Nicholas Valenzuela and Gio DeLeon are two linebackers others to watch.
10T. Connor Burke, Santa Margarita, Sr.
The middle linebacker has been a bright spot for a unit that has struggled at times. He has recorded 11 total tackles in four of five games and leads the Eagles with 53.
10T. Brant Gass, San Juan Hills, Sr.
Any list of top linebackers needs to include a kid with a state-leading 84 tackles in six games. Gass recorded 20 tackles in a 7-6 loss against San Juan Hills.
10T. John Gosney, Huntington Beach, Sr.
Gosney has picked up right where he left off last year. He already has 34 tackles and seven sack for the Oilers.
Also considered: Jacob Cochran (Yorba Linda, Sr.), Kobah Fuamatu (Mater Dei, Jr.), John Tu’avao (Villa Park, Jr.), Sam Whipple (El Toro, Sr.)
Please send linebacker nominees to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter