SB Live player rankings: Top 10 linebackers in Southern California high school football

On the heels of our Top 100, where we ranked the best high school football players in Southern California, we're now bringing you position-by-position rankings. The rankings encompass the Southern Section, L.A. City Section and San Diego Section.

These are preseason rankings based on last year's performance and spring and summer observations. We will update the rankings at midseason.

Here are Southern California's Top 10 Linebackers:

10. Austin “Ozzie” Nicholas, senior, La Costa Canyon

The reigning Avocado League Defensive Player of the Year, Nicholas has received over 10 D-1 offers.

9. Caleb McCullough, senior, Pacifica

McCullough has received at least 20 offers going into his senior year, with Arizona State and USC as the favorites. Not surprising for someone who recorded a remarkable 211 tackles in one season.

8. Ethan Calvert, junior, Oaks Christian

Football runs in the Calvert family. Ethan’s oldest brother Bo plays linebacker at UCLA. His middle brother Josh plays linebacker for Washington. Ask either of the older Calvert’s who they think will become the best football player in the family and they both will say Ethan. In 2018, Ethan caught a touchdown on offense and had 41 tackles and three sacks on defense for Oaks Christian. The Lions’ linebacker partnership of Calvert and Mister Williams will be one of the best in Southern California in 2019.

7. Jaden Navarrette, senior, Norco

At 6-3, 235, the Oregon commit plays OLB, DE, WR, and maybe more, at an elite level. 247 ranks him as the seventh best ATH prospect in the country, and he could play both sides in college.

6. Jonathan Flowe, junior, Upland

While his older brother Justin is more well-known, junior Jonathan Flowe is one of the best LBs in his class. Of his 67 tackles last season, 10 were for loss. He led Upland with 11 sacks as well. Flowe has received upwards of 22 offers already.

5. Justin Houston, senior, Serra (Gardena)

Last season as a junior, Houston averaged 10.5 tackles and made over 100 on the season. So far he’s received at least 12 college offers. His older brother John is a senior linebacker at USC.

4. Raesjon Davis, junior, Mater Dei

247 has Raesjon Davis ranked as the best outside linebacker in the nation in the class of 2021. Last season he recorded 20.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, and also caused four fumbles. So far he’s received at least 19 offers, with USC and UCLA considered the favorites.

3. Jordan Banks, senior, Narbonne

in 2018, Banks recorded 13 sacks and 20 tackles for loss for the City Section champs. The 4-star recruit’s college decision is expected to come down to Alabama, Oklahoma, and Washington. Narbonne is the favorite to win their eighth City Section title in nine years this season.

2. Kourt Williams, senior, St. John Bosco

Last year, the Ohio State commit registered 74 tackles in a very crowded Bosco defense. This year he will lead the charge for a Braves team that hopes to finally return to glory in the playoffs, which means going through Mater Dei.

1. Justin Flowe, senior, Upland

He’s the best linebacker in the country, and arguably the best high school football player period. 247 even has Justin Flowe ranked as their 40th best prospect of all time.

Flowe has already received at least 42 college offers, and some of his bone-crushing tackles even go viral (as did a video of him squatting nearly 600 pounds.) Last season, he recorded a staggering 145 tackles, including 17 for loss.