Rivals Camp Series: The five best LBs of the 2025 regionals

Jeff McCulloch/Rivals.com
The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series are in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility coming up later this month.
Today, we continue our look at the best players at each position through the regional events with the linebackers.
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BEST OF RCS: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs | Five best WRs/TEs | Five best OL | Five best DL
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
Jeff McCulloch/Rivals.com
A Louisiana native who wrapped up his junior season without much recruiting traction, Darensburg made the trek to Los Angeles to make a considerable splash at the linebacker spot. The combination of sheer size and power impressed in tight quarters while he also showed he can operate in space while working coverage as well.
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Following the MVP effort, more than a dozen scholarship offers would eventually come in for the late-bloomer. Darensburg eventually made a verbal commitment to South Alabama on June 9.
The IMG Academy star worked out at both pass rusher and linebacker during the Atlanta stop of the tour, showcasing grit and overall competitiveness against a loaded field of players. While Forkpa held his own off the edge, he was ultra comfortable at the second level, too powerful for blockers in one setting yet swift and effective while working in coverage.
One of the top testers nationally at the position, Forkpa proved it was plenty functional en route to MVP honors near his hometown.
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Those elite traits have Florida, Florida State, Miami, Colorado and others positioning for a potential commitment.
Jeff McCulloch/Rivals.com
An elite pass rusher who led the Orlando-area in sacks as a junior, Lafayette has showed more second-level ability as the offseason has rolled on as well. He is plenty capable working off the edge as a third-down specialist, but has shown overall athleticism and lateral ability from an off-ball position as well.
The edge talent is so immense a coordinator may not ask for many coverage reps, but the linear speed and physicality Lafayette brings to the table has created a benefit-of-the-doubt with plenty of programs courting his commitment.
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Miami, Oklahoma, Florida and several others are angling for more time from the rising-senior recruit.
Jeff McCulloch/Rivals.com
The camp setting isn't the most friendly to the linebacker position, especially in coverage with so much space to operate for running backs on the other side of the ball. Still, Pettijohn pushed against that narrative successfully when it came to that portion of the event.
He showcased hip fluidity and comfort in transitioning from one direction to the other, allowing the Texan to make plays against routes both intermediate and deep. Also built to contend in the running game, the balance led to MVP honors at the Dallas RCS stop.
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Pettijohn is hearing from Syracuse and SMU, among others, while adding his most recent offer from Sam Houston State.
Jeff McCulloch/Rivals.com
Amid official visits to bluebloods this month, Thomas' name has picked up pace nationally and our staff got that preview at the RCS Dallas stop more than a month ago. The big 'backer stands 6-foot-3 and was once considered more of a pass-rusher, but the camp effort and his subsequent recruitment confirmed a three-down projection.
Auburn, Michigan and others have hosted him and Texas is on deck at the end of June.

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New York Times

an hour ago

• New York Times

Players prepare to warm up

Benfica put six unanswered goals past Auckland City in a match that was heavily delayed by adverse weather conditions Getty Images Benfica have recorded a vital 6-0 win against Auckland City in their second game at the 2025 Club World Cup. An Angel Di Maria penalty opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, before the players were forced off the field for an extended period due to adverse weather conditions. After they returned, Vangelis Pavlidis and Renato Sanches added to the advantage before Leandro Barreiro added a quick-fire brace. Late on, Di Maria won — and scored — another penalty to give Benfica a vital goal difference boost. They have moved to the top of Group C on four points before Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors meet at Hard Rock Stadium later, also covered live on The Athletic. GO FURTHER Benfica-Auckland City Club World Cup game endures over two-hour weather delay Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms The players are in the tunnel and they're heading back out onto the pitch to warm up. Still no resumption in Orlando, but we're moving closer to one. There's been no lightning strikes for nearly 30 minutes which is good news, under any circumstances. 'I've had three coffees since half-time,' the German commentator tells us, with a touch too much excitement. Good news from Florida — the storm in Orlando appears to have passed and we could see a return to play between Benfica and Auckland City. There is still some lightning in the area and despite fans returning to the stands for a period of time, they have now returned to take shelter. We'll bring you more once the players return to the pitch and in the meantime Flamengo vs Chelsea is ongoing and that's also covered live on The Athletic . You can follow coverage of that match here. Getty Images We're no closer to play restarting in Orlando as this weather delay continues. Given the length of time we've been waiting it's wouldn't be a surprise to see the players do a short warm-up to get ready to play the second half. Again, we will bring you any updates when we have them. Otherwise, another Club World Cup match in Flamengo vs Chelsea has kicked off recently, and that's also covered live on The Athletic . You can follow coverage of that match here. It's unfortunate the action hasn't got back underway yet in Orlando. The adverse weather is still preventing the second half from starting, with rain tipping down in the south-east of the United States and the stands empty for safety reasons amid fears of thunderstorms. Again, we will bring you any updates when we have them. Otherwise, another Club World Cup match in Flamengo vs Chelsea kicks off in around half an hour, and that's also covered live on The Athletic . You can follow coverage of that match here. Fans have been asked to vacate their seats and take cover as we wait out this weather delay ahead of the start of the second half. Let's hope they can get the game back underway at some point soon. Getty Images The fans have taken refuge inside the bowels of the stadium. The pitch, and the stands, are empty. The big boards inside the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida have just announced that there will be a weather-related delay to the start of the second half. We'll bring you more information as we have it. A great image of that Vangelis Pavlidis chance. Goalkeeper Nathan Garrow clattered into his team-mate as they both aimed to block the Greek striker's shot, which trickled wide of the unguarded net. Bodies on the line! 📷 Well done to Alex Livesey for FIFA via Getty Images for this snap Getty Images 37 years old, countless major trophies won, a disputably meaningful tournament, against some part-timers in Auckland City... Never mind any of that. A goal is a goal, and Angel Di Maria is pumped about it, too. Getty Images And that's the break! What an end to the half — Benfica, after plenty of trying, go in to their half-time team talk a goal to the good. Heartbreak for Auckland at the end of the half but they are not down and out yet. Getty Images 45+6' Benfica 1-0 Auckland City They finally have their breakthrough! As cool as you like, Di Maria rolls the penalty low to the right and Garrow can only slide to the floor having dived the other way and watch it roll in. That was a reckless challenge to concede the penalty and it's a real sucker punch for Auckland. 45+4' Benfica 0-0 Auckland City It was going so well for Auckland! Lagos chops down Prestianni on his way into the box and there's little doubt that that's a spot kick. Angel Di Maria will take... Getty Images That crunching sound you can hear? That'll be the fans of every other team in Portugal, knocking back the popcorn as they watch this. Benfica are already going to get mocked for this first half. If Auckland can somehow hang on for 90 minutes, it's going to be a memepocalypse. Getty Images 45' Benfica 0-0 Auckland City We've got a stoppage as Zhou receives some treatment for a head injury as the fourth official puts up his board to show four minutes added on. We might see more than that given this stoppage but that's the official time for now. Zhou is livid that he's being asked to step off to be assessed for concussion. Getty Images 44' Benfica 0-0 Auckland City ... but it's been ruled out by the referee. Garrow had the ball in his hands but was fouled under pressure from Pavlidis and it popped out to Aursnes who tapped in. But it's been chalked off for that contact — it seems fouling Garrow is the only way Benfica have been able to find a way through. This has been a performance of great courage from Auckland City so far. Their goal has no doubt led a charmed life and goalkeeper Nathan Garrow has made some good saves, but it's been 41 minutes to be really proud of. Getty Images Seriously, how have Benfica not scored yet? Just as they look about to find the opener, forces seem to be conspiring against them to make the ball land the wrong side of the post. A goal is surely inevitable, after which the floodgates may open, but you can see the frustration grow on the faces of the Benfica players as they attempt to break the deadlock (and avoid potential embarrassment). Getty Images 40' Benfica 0-0 Auckland City What a game young Nathan Garrow is having! He palms away a shot from Pavlidis, cutting in from the right wing, and then Angel Di Maria follows up with a low, hard strike and Garrow meets it well down to his left. It's a bit of an onslaught as we reach the end of the half but Garrow is pulling off some great stops.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

🔎 Flamengo stun Chelsea, Bayern see off Boca

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USA Today

3 hours ago

• USA Today

LaVar Ball wants his sons to play for the Lakers

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