2024 HSSN football position-by-position breakdown: Scouting the linebackers

By: Chris Harlan
Monday, August 19, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here is a look at the top linebackers for the 2024 season.

1. Alex Tatsch

Latrobe

Senior, 6-3, 222

Around this time last summer, Tatsch had received only a couple of college offers from UConn and Marshall. That quickly changed as college coaches took a closer look at the Wildcats’ linebacker, who was credited with 79 tackles in an eye-opening junior season. His defensive highlights included seven tackles for a loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and four interceptions. One of his interceptions was a pick-six. He also scored seven touchdowns on offense, earning first-team all-conference on both sides of the ball. Tatsch committed to Penn State in February after drawing nearly two dozen FBS offers. His other top options included Pitt, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Southern Cal and Michigan State.

Watch Alex Tatsch highlights

2. Dayshaun Burnett

Imani Christian

Senior, 6-4, 220

Another Penn State recruit, Burnett had 8½ sacks among his 78 tackles last season and earned conference defensive player of the year honors. He was a multi-dimensional threat for the Saints defense, forcing two fumbles, recovering three and intercepting a pass. But his versatility also carried over to offense, where he passed for 592 yards, rushed for 347 more and added 421 receiving yards. He contributed 18 total touchdowns. Pitt, West Virginia, Kentucky and Rutgers were his other finalists when he committed to Penn State in February.

Watch Dayshaun Burnett highlights

3. Mickey Vaccarello

Peters Township

Senior, 6-3, 216

Peters Township won its first WPIAL title last season behind a dominant defense led by Vaccarello. The Stanford recruit made 61 solo tackles (111 total tackles in 16 games) as the Indians held nine opponents to a touchdown or less. His highlights included 29 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He chose Stanford from a list of 20 schools that included fellow ACC teams Boston College and Syracuse. He is also an outstanding tight end for the Indians and earned first-team all-conference honors for offense and defense last year.

Watch Mickey Vaccarello highlights

4. Daiveon Taylor

Aliquippa

Junior, 6-2, 210

Taylor, who earned all-conference honors as a sophomore at Bishop Canevin, transferred home to Aliquippa last spring. His arrival gave the Quips defense another solid tackler and a strong pass-rusher. The West Virginia recruit made 67 tackles last season, including 18 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. He forced two fumbles, recovered two and blocked a pair of punts. Pitt and Penn State were among his other offers.

Watch Daiveon Taylor highlights

5. Colsen Gatten

Central Catholic

Junior, 6-1, 210

The Vikings have had some talented linebackers in recent seasons, and this year is no different. As a sophomore, Gatten made 48 tackles, showed his quickness in pass coverage and earned second-team all-conference honors in the WPIAL’s big-school classification. He already received college offers from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, among others. His father, Aaron, was a three-sport athlete at Wash High and played linebacker for Penn State.

Watch Colsen Gatten highlights

One to watch

Bradley Gompers

Central Catholic

Senior, 6-5, 215

A broken collarbone cost Gompers most of his junior season, but he returned in time for the playoffs and made an immediate impact at safety. He was credited with 17 tackles in two games. Now healthy and playing outside linebacker, Gompers bolsters an already talented defense. He committed to Duke over offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern and Rutgers. He is also a wide receiver and could play offense in college.

Watch Bradley Gompers highlights

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Position breakdowns

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | CB | S | K

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Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Aliquippa, Central Catholic, Imani Christian, Latrobe, Peters Township