El Dorado head coach Chris Hill didn’t mince words when asked about junior linebacker Jakori Lumsey.
“If he’s not the best linebacker in the league, I don’t know who is,” Hill said.
Lumsey saw varsity action as a freshman and started at middle linebacker as a sophomore. He recorded 68 tackles, including 20.5 tackles for losses with four sacks and an interception.
“I feel like I could’ve done better though,” said Lumsey. “I’m setting bigger goals for this season. I feel like I could’ve tackled better, made more plays and run around a little bit more than I did last year.”
Lumsey’s goals this season include recording 100 tackles and making the All-State team. Playing in the middle of the Wildcats’ defense, he might actually reach those lofty goals.
“They moved me back to the middle. The middle is like, you get action more every play so I’ll get my hands dirty more than just playing outside,” he said. “I like middle better. I feel like being at mike with a lot of speed is good because I can run sideline to sideline with anybody that’s got the ball.”
He’ll also have to take on bigger blockers.
“I’m strong so I can do it,” Lumsey said with a laugh.
Defensive coordinator Wes Ables agreed.
“He gets us lined up, makes plays. He can be a physical guy in the box. He can go toe-to-toe with offensive linemen and then he can go sideline-to-sideline as well because has the speed to be able to do that.”
Lumsey will log double duty as he’s also in El Dorado’s running back rotation. He anticipated perhaps more of a blocking role on offense.
“I like to be physical. I like to go tackle people. I don’t like to be the one getting hit. I want to be doing the hitting.”
At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Lumsey would like to be doing the hitting after high school. He said he’ll need to gain weight to play linebacker in college.
“If college gives me the opportunity, I’m going to take it,” he said. “I need to gain about 20 to 25 pounds more than what I am now. I feel like I can do it. I just have to keep working. I have to use the foods right and put the protein in my body to make sure it all goes together.”