The Quarterbacks of the Defense: Top Senior LB

To be an effective Linebacker, one must be smart, physical and athletic while also possessing great leadership ability.   In Kansas, there are several outstanding senior Linebackers in 2020, here are the top 5. [player_tooltip player_id="35363" first="Brandon" last="Bowles"] 6’0 180 Maize South   [player_tooltip player_id="35363" first="Brandon" last="Bowles"] is the #1 ranked Linebacker in the class of 2021 and the 22^nd ranked player overall.  He plays as a MLB.  He is very good against the run as he quickly keys and diagnoses the play, uses his good quickness, agility and instincts to take the correct angles in pursuit of the ball carrier,  uses his leverage and hands to shed blocks and then his very good play strength to deliver a powerful hit.  On screens, he stays at home and quickly locates the receiver while tackling him immediately preventing a large gain.  While in coverage, he effectively uses his football intelligence to read the QB and uses his range to put himself in position to take away passing lanes all over the field and correctly times his hands to cause a pass deflection.   [player_tooltip player_id="35364" first="Jacob" last="Younkman"] 5’11 205 4.65 Wichita NW   [player_tooltip player_id="35364" first="Jacob" last="Younkman"] is the 2^nd ranked Linebacker and the 23^rd ranked player overall in the class of 2021.  He plays as an OLB primarily as a Sam.  He displays good ability against the run as he uses his physical toughness and play strength to easily shed the block from the TE, uses his good athletic ability to catch the RB and delivers a powerful hit bringing down the RB with force.  He is a good pass rusher as he is quick off the ball and effectively uses his very good range, motor and play speed to pressure the QB and sack him.  In coverage, he uses his play speed to stay in phase with his man, effectively reads the QB, tracks the ball in the air and possesses the manual dexterity to intercept the pass that was thrown over his head.   Jacob Hilemen 5’8 195 Derby   Jacob Hilemen is the 3^rd ranked Linebacker and the 24^th ranked player overall in the class of 2021.  He plays as a MLB.  He is very good against the run as he uses his football intelligence to key and diagnose the play, his good range and motor to pursue the ball carrier all over the field and his good play strength in his upper and lower body to bring down the RB with force.  Shows very good ability against the pass as he reads the QB, quickly gets in position to disrupt the passing lane, uses his play speed and athletic ability to get in front of the ball while displaying good hands as he intercepts the ball.  An effective pass rusher, he patiently waits for a hole to open up, shoots the gap and uses his quickness to pressure the QB and his play strength to bring him down for the sack.   [player_tooltip player_id="35398" first="Luke" last="Stewart"] 5’11 190 Derby   [player_tooltip player_id="35398" first="Luke" last="Stewart"] is the 4^th ranked Linebacker and the 57^th ranked player overall in the class of 2021.  He plays as an OLB mainly as a Sam.  Against the run, he effectively uses a combination of power and speed to shed the TE block while display the motor and range to play sideline to sideline and uses his leverage and play strength to bring down the RB with ease.  Very good against the pass both in coverage and while rushing the QB.  In coverage he uses his instincts effectively as he reads the QB and uses his closing speed to get to the ball and times his hands to create a pass deflection.  As a pass rusher, he uses his play speed, quickness and agility to pressure the QB and is able to deliver a punishing hit for the sack.   [player_tooltip player_id="35409" first="Adam" last="Callahan"] 6’0 200 Gardner Edgerton [player_tooltip player_id="35409" first="Adam" last="Callahan"] is the 5^th ranked Linebacker and the 68^th ranked player overall in the class of 2021.  He plays as a MLB.  Shows good ability against the run as he uses his football intelligence, athletic ability and play speed in his pursuit of the ball carrier, able to effectively shed OL blocks and shows very good form tackling ability combined with good lower body play strength while playing with good leverage to tackle the RB preventing a significant gain.  Against the pass, he effectively uses his instincts and quickness to disrupt passing lanes while reading the QB.  As a result, the QB scrambles instead and Adam quickly tackles the QB resulting in limited yardage gained.  Displays good competitiveness and mental toughness as he can make plays in the red zone.