Ohio's Top High School Linebackers Shine on Defense

Hoban's Feister brothers lead the state's talented group of standout linebackers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cleveland.com's Ohio Big 50 series continues with a look at the top high school football linebackers in the state. The list includes standouts like Brayton Feister and Brydon 'Squeak' Feister of Archbishop Hoban, as well as other top prospects such as Judah Blair, Mason Cerovac, and Josiah Pouncy.

Why it matters

Linebacker is a critical position in high school football, with these players serving as the leaders of their team's defenses. This ranking highlights the depth of talent at the position across Ohio, showcasing the state's reputation for producing elite defensive talent.

The details

The list features 10 of the top linebackers in Ohio, including four-star recruit Judah Blair of Lakota West, multi-sport standout Mason Cerovac of Olmsted Falls, and All-Ohio selections like James Conrad of St. Ignatius, Jahmiere Daniels-Portis of Springfield, and the Feister brothers of Archbishop Hoban. Many of these players hold Division I scholarship offers.

  • The Ohio Big 50 rankings will be released later this summer.

The players

Judah Blair

A four-star linebacker prospect from Lakota West who can play both outside and inside. He had 57 tackles, 25 solo, 15.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 1 interception as a sophomore.

Mason Cerovac

A multi-sport standout from Olmsted Falls who will be a third-year starter at linebacker. He had 79 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks as a junior.

Brayton Feister

A four-star linebacker prospect from Archbishop Hoban who earned All-Ohio first-team honors in Division II. He had 133 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 2 interceptions as a junior.

Brydon 'Squeak' Feister

The younger brother of Brayton Feister, Brydon also made the All-Ohio first team last season. He had 110 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks as a sophomore.

Josiah Pouncy

A standout linebacker from Cincinnati Taft who had 126 solo tackles, 186 total tackles, and 42 tackles for loss last season, earning honorable mention All-Ohio in Division IV.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The full Ohio Big 50 rankings will be released later this summer, providing a comprehensive look at the state's top high school football talent.

The takeaway

Ohio continues to produce an impressive pipeline of elite high school linebackers, with the Feister brothers at Archbishop Hoban leading a talented group of defensive standouts across the state.