Top 5 Concho Valley Linebackers to Watch in 2019

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The Concho Valley is known for blue collar defense and the linebackers in the area tend to encompass that mentality.

Here are the top five linebackers in the Concho Valley that you need to keep an eye on in 2019:

Edgar Muniz, 5-10, 170, Sr., Eldorado

Muniz is Eldorado’s returning leading tackler after posting 125 total tackles last season from his linebacker spot, 84 of which were solos. That was good for second on the team behind graduated senior Jack Griffin.

That helped the Eagles limit district opponents to just 51 points in 2018. Christoval put up 48 of those points in their season finale. 

Muniz will be the anchor of Eldorado’s linebacking corps and their defense with DE Jaakan Jurecek in 2019.

Colton Diebitsch, 5-10, 180, Sr., Wall

Diebitsch is fresh off a state championship with the Wall Hawks baseball team to end the 2018-2019 school year and will hope that success translates on the gridiron.

He’s one of six returning starters on the defensive side for the Hawks, who went 9-3 last year with an extremely young team. He’s the leading returning tackler after posting 86 tackles in 2018.

Expect the first team all-district selection to anchor the linebacking corps for Wall as they look to make a deep run in 2019.

Cooper Bean, 5-11, 190, Sr., Ballinger

Bean will continue to anchor Ballinger’s defense after an incredible 2018 season, where he led the team in tackles.

The first team All-District 4-3A DII inside linebacker selection posted an astounding 165 total tackles, 94 of which were solos, to help the Bearcats make it to the playoffs.

With 16 returning starters, Ballinger should expect plenty of growth from their 7-4 finish last season.

Logan Sanders, 6-0, 240, Sr., Lake View

Sanders is regarded as a leader for the Chiefs and is expected to serve the same role from his linebacker spot in his senior season.

The second team All-District 2-4A DII selection will look to build on his 50 tackles in 2018. That is the returning high for the Chiefs linebacking corps.

The Chiefs have six starters back on the defensive side and hope the experience of their first playoff win in four years will benefit Sanders and their defensive unit.

Lazaro Rodriguez, 5-7, 175, Sr., Ozona

Rodriguez is a returning leader for the Lions’ defense, which returns nine starters from their bi-district playoff appearance a year ago.

The 5-7, 175-pound senior is the leading returning tackler for the Lions after registering 85 tackles last season.

Expect Rodriguez to play a big role in any success the Lions have on the defensive side of the ball.