Tag: linebacker

Ohio State and Texas are among the finalists for Georgia prep linebacker Xavier Griffin.

5-star LB Xavier Griffin set to announce college choice on Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Xavier Griffin, ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 2 linebacker in the Class of 2026, is scheduled to announce his college commitment on Sunday afternoon.

A 6-foot-3, 200-pound player, Griffin has four finalists: Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State and Texas. He plays at Gainesville (Ga.) High School.

The composite also lists the five-star as the No. 27 overall prospect in the nation. He has made official visits at all four schools since May 30.

According to 247Sports, Griffin has made 97 tackles and 21 sacks and added three forced fumbles over the past two seasons.

Tyler Atkinson, the nation’s No. 1 prospect at linebacker, has yet to commit. From Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., he has taken official visits to Clemson, Georgia, Oregon and Texas.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2021; New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) laughs on the sidelines during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium. Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-New England LB Dont’a Hightower joins Patriots coaching staff

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is returning to New England as a member of the staff of new head coach Jerod Mayo.

His agency, SportsTrust Advisors, broke the news on social media Friday.

The 33-year-old Hightower, who will coach the linebackers, played his entire career with the Patriots, who selected him with the 25th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He and Mayo were teammates on the Patriots defense from 2012-15.

Hightower won three Super Bowls in nine seasons with the Patriots. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and played 117 games (114 starts) with the Patriots.

In talking with reporters last April, Mayo mentioned Hightower as a future coach.

“I think Hightower would be a phenomenal coach,” Mayo said, per USA Today. “So, we’ll see. When I get a chance to run my own ship, I’ll try to recruit him.”

Mayo was the inside linebackers coach on Bill Belichick’s staff from 2019-23 before being promoted to head coach upon Belichick’s departure last month.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) warms up Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Giants agree to terms with LB Bobby Okereke

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Giants will sign former Indianapolis Colt Bobby Okereke, regarded as one of the top inside linebackers available in free agency, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

The Giants and Okereke agreed to terms for a four-year, $40 million contract, with $22 million guaranteed, according to the reports. Monday was the first day of the NFL’s free agent negotiating period.

Okereke, 26, played four seasons in Indianapolis and is coming off his best campaign, as he a career-high 151 tackles, including 99 solo. He made 17 of those tackles (his single-game best) with 13 solo in a 38-10 loss to the Giants in Week 17.

The Colts drafted him in the third round out of Stanford in 2019. After starting eight games in both his rookie and second seasons, the 6-foot-1, 235-pounder became a full-time starter in 2021, when he had 132 tackles (89 solo).

For his career, Okereke has 420 tackles (293 solo), 15 tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, two sacks, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in 64 games (49 starts).

–Field Level Media