Missouri 2022 Rankings Update: Linebackers

The Missouri Class of 2022 football prospect rankings have been updated and there is plenty of movement with prospects in the rankings. Today we are going to take a look at some of the top linebacker prospects in the senior class. <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2022-rankings/">Click here to view the 2022 Rankings!</a></strong></em></span></p> There are 22 defensive linemen in the Class of 2022 rankings and 55 linebackers overall including the watch list. Today we are breaking down the top five and noting the next five. (NOTE: For more information on each of the prospects, including links to HUDL highlights, please click on the player's names to check out their prospect pages.) <strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id="104345" first="Carson" last="Willich"], Blue Springs (Iowa State)</strong> The No. 18 prospect in the updated Missouri Class of 2022 rankings, Willich is the only linebacker on this list who has made a college commitment. He pledged to Iowa State in April and has received scholarship offers from 10 other schools, including Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Minnesota, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. A 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, Willich can do it all from his middle linebacker spot, including timing his bursts into the backfield, and attacks quarterbacks and ballcarriers like a heat-seeking missile. <strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id="96230" first="Cooper" last="Roy"], Glendale</strong> The No. 25 prospect in the Missouri Class of 2022 updated rankings, Roy (pictured above) broke the Missouri State High School Activities Association single-season record for sacks with 25 during his remarkable junior campaign. He recorded nine sacks in a game against Boliver, which also broke the state record. Roy, an edge rusher who could be classified as an outside linebacker or defensive end, overwhelms opposing offensive linemen with his incredible speed off the edge. The 6-3, 220-pounder has received scholarship offers from a variety of schools, including hometown Missouri State, Army, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Ball State and others. He has received interest from Kansas and Kansas State among Power 5 schools. <strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id="96259" first="Connor" last="Lair"], West Plains</strong> A 6-1, 225-pounder, Lair checks in as the No. 28 prospect in the updated Missouri Class of 2022 following a junior season where he recorded 126 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, three defensive touchdowns, two blocked punts and a forced fumble and earned first-team All-State honors. Lair, a four-year starter, will be featured more at running back this fall, but still projects as a linebacker at the next level. He recently received a preferred walk-on offer from Missouri after receiving scholarship offers from Southern Illinois, Missouri State, Southeast Missouri, Army and Air Force among others. <strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="171842" first="Kendall" last="Huston"], CBC</strong> Huston, a 6-2, 190-pounder, is the No. 66 prospect in the updated Missouri Class of 2022 rankings. He is more of a hybrid outside linebacker-safety type with long arms and is oozing with potential at the next level. Huston's junior season was cut short because of COVID restrictions, but he broke out with 20 tackles, six sacks and an interception in six games as a first-year starter. Huston has received interest from colleges but no offers to this point. He will have an opportunity to impress college coaches during his senior season this fall. <strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id="37551" first="Christopher" last="Skiljan"], De Smet</strong> A 6-1, 225-pounder Skiljan had to sit out as a sophomore after transferring to De Smet but then broke out as a junior when he racked up 65 tackles and five sacks in seven games during the COVID-shortened campaign that ended with the Spartans finishing second in Class 6. He has the size, strength and athleticism to play at the next level and has received scholarship offers from Kent State and Georgetown. Another strong season, this time with a full schedule, and Skiljan will have plenty of opportunities from colleges. <strong>Next five:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="37597" first="Nate" last="Ruble"], St. Pius X (Festus) [player_tooltip player_id="96256" first="Trevor" last="Scott"], Platte County [player_tooltip player_id="37547" first="Dylan" last="Keogh"], Cuba [player_tooltip player_id="171844" first="Jaycob" last="Tatum"], CBC [player_tooltip player_id="96266" first="Nathan" last="DeGuentz"], Duchesne <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2022 Rankings Update Positional Breakdowns</strong></span></p> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-quarterbacks/">Quarterbacks</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-runningbacks/">Running backs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-wide-receivers/">Wide Receivers</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-offensive-linemen/">Offensive linemen</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-tight-ends/">Tight ends</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-defensive-linemen/">Defensive linemen</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-linebackers/">Linebackers</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-defensive-backs/">Defensive backs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2022-rankings-update-athletes/">Athletes</a> <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em> &nbsp;