Here are southwest Missouri's high school football linebackers to know in 2024

Southwest Missouri returns a few of the area’s best linebackers from the 2023 season along with some who appear ready to put their names among the state’s elite.

Here are the top returning linebackers to know.

Landon Bland, Carthage, 11

Bland is one of the better college prospects in the region as a 6-foot-4, 220-pound, three-star edge rusher for the Tigers. We should see his numbers jump in 2024.

More: Here are southwest Missouri's high school football quarterbacks to know heading into 2024

Parker Elliott, Ozark, 12

Elliott was one of the top linebackers in the area last season and serves as a great leader for the Tigers’ rebuilding program. He recorded 136 total tackles last season, sixth in the area.

Rolly Fisher, Forsyth, 12

Fisher’s one of the tougher small-school linebackers in the state. He finished three tackles shy of 100 last year and he doubles as a great ball-carrier for the Panthers offense.

More: Here are southwest Missouri's high school football running backs to know heading into 2024

Jax Glendenning, Lebanon, 12

Glendenning is one of the best all-around football players in the Ozarks. He came up big for the Yellowjackets in clutch moments last year on the defensive side when he put up big rushing numbers every week.

Alex Judd, West Plains, 12

Judd will enter the Ozark Mountain Conference as one of the league’s best players after recording 133 total tackles last season with seven sacks. The Zizzers always seem to have a hard-nosed linebacker and Judd’s the latest.

More: Here are southwest Missouri's high school football receivers to know heading into 2024

Parker Mann, Nixa, 12

Mann will slide into Spencer Ward’s position from a year ago and be the sideline-to-sideline safety/linebacker the Ward brothers have been for the Eagles under John Perry. Mann had 133 total tackles last season and can see an uptick in his production this year.

Mason McCurry, Bolivar, 12

McCurry was the most productive defensive player in the area last season, recording a ridiculous 228 total tackles and 11 sacks. There aren’t a lot of tougher players in the Ozarks than McCurry entering the year.

More: Here are southwest Missouri's high school football offensive linemen to know heading into 2024

Cash Pomeroy, Marionville, 11

The Comets’ superstar junior doubles up on offense and defense. He’ll enter the year as one of the best small-school linebackers in the state. He’s a player the Ozarks will want to get out and watch at some point over the next two years.

Avery Starnes, Lebanon, 12

Starnes was an All-Ozark Conference honorable mention selection last season. You should expect him to continue to improve entering his senior year on a defense that allowed 15.2 points per game last season.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Here are southwest Missouri's high school football linebackers to know in 2024