Vote now: Who is the top returning linebacker on the Panhandle for 2023?

Here are 17 players for your consideration

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best-returning linebackers in high school football for the 2023 season on the Panhandle.

Our list includes some of the best in the suburban region and players who proved to be invaluable to their teams last season in making key tackles at the end of the game, delivering big hits or helping lead the defense as the top tackler in the area.

There are plenty of worthy names on this list, so be sure to vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning linebackers for the upcoming season. Voting will close on August 31st, just in time for the start of the regular season. 

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Zavier Hamilton, Fort Walton Beach: A transfer from Navarre, in 2022 Hamilton notched 26 tackles, one for loss, one sack, one interception, one fumble forced in minimal action. 

Marcell Thomas, Pine Forest: As a sophomore, Thomas racked up 41 tackles, six went for a loss and a sack for the Eagles. 

Kaydon Biggs, Tate: Taking on a much bigger role in the front seven this season, Biggs will be one to watch for. Biggs made 21 tackles a year ago. 

Jermaine McCants, Pensacola Booker T. Washington: Though McCants didn’t see a whole ton of time on the field in 2022, he will this fall. Last season he made 10 total tackles for the Wildcats. 

LJ Aples, West Florida: One of the Jaguars top tacklers from a year ago is back in the fold. Aples made 69 tackles and four went for a loss last season. 

Lejon Williams, Escambia: When it comes to making the most tackles and coming back this fall, Williams fits the bill. The roving linebacker totaled 122 tackles, 15 for loss along with three sacks. 

Turner McLaughlin, Pensacola Catholic: McLaughlin transferred over to the Crusaders from Gulf Breeze and figured to be one of the best defenders for Pensacola Catholic. 

Jashawn Armstrong, Choctawhatchee: The heart and soul of the Indians’ defense will be back this fall. In 2022, Armstrong made 84 tackles and nine went for a loss. 

Jackson Ward, Pace: Ward is one of the Panhandle’s top returning tacklers and his 2022 statistics speak to that. Ward made 123 tackles, three for loss and three sacks. 

Andre Spence, Navarre: With Zavier Hamilton gone to Fort Walton Beach, Spence becomes the team’s top returning linebacker. Spence made 68 tackles as a sophomore in 2022. 

Amarion Hover, Blountstown: Hover also plays in the backfield for the Tigers. Last season at linebacker, Hover totaled 126 tackles, 13.5 for loss, one sack, one fumble forced.

Joe Wright, Northview: The Class 1R state finalist from a year ago lose some key pieces on defense, but do bring back Wright. Wright made 92 tackles and seven for loss in 2022. 

Xavier Hooks, Chipley: The Tigers’ top returning linebacker packs plenty of lunch in the front seven. Hooks in 2022 made 54 tackles and two for a loss. 

Aven Tyus, Sneads: Though many know of Sneads for running back Jason Patterson, on the defensive side, Tyus was pretty good himself. The linebacker made 80 tackles for the 11-1 Pirates. 

Gavin Garrity, South Walton: The Seahawks return one of their top defensive players in Garrity this fall. A year ago, the linebacker made 84 tackles. 

Jayden Spurlock, North Bay Academy: Last season for the Buccaneers, Spurlock recorded 60 tackles and five of them went for a loss. Spurlock, a rising junior, will be a player to watch for in 2023.  

Maddox Hayles, Niceville: Hayles returns to the Eagles’ defense as one of the team’s top defenders. Made over 70 tackles last season as a sophomore starter. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.