The 4A Club Midseason Player Rankings: Linebackers

Every four weeks I like to take a look at the landscape of Class 4A football and come up with my own player rankings based on statistics. How I come up with my ratings is a system based on pro-football-reference.com’s "Approximate Value" system of ratings they use for overall performance during a season. For this article, I’m taking a look at my top 20 Class 4A Outside Linebackers and top 15 Middle Linebackers. In addition, I’m also giving out my top 5 overall linebackers as well. &nbsp; *Stats are up to Week 4* &nbsp; #1. Aidan Moore, Johnston, SR - 20.501 31 tackles, 6 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A Analysis - Aidan has proven to be one of 4A’s top defenders on one of the classes top defenses, and it’s only a matter of time before colleges come knocking. He’s an excellent tackler who won’t let too many ball carriers get past him. &nbsp; #2. [player_tooltip player_id="23844" first="Seth" last="Bullock"], Dubuque Senior, SR - 19.461 32.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: FCS (Indiana State, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Southern Illinois) Analysis - Seth has put up a solid offer sheet over the summer, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it grows after an awesome start to his season. Whether it’s rushing the passer or going out in coverage, Bullock can do whatever is needed by him really well. &nbsp; #3. Brecken Manus, Ankeny, SR - 16.582 20 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-2 (Missouri Western, Wayne State (NE)) Analysis - Brecken remains a key leader on the Hawks defense in 2020. He’s a quick MIKE with good enough instincts to find the runner and stop him promptly. &nbsp; #4. [player_tooltip player_id="23858" first="Thomaj" last="Davis"], Des Moines Roosevelt, SR - 16.517 8.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-2 (Minnesota State, Upper Iowa) Analysis - Another player whose season was ended before it really started, Thomaj put up a solid stat sheet in the two games his school played. He’s a WILL with outstanding speed and power for a pass rushing OLB. &nbsp; #5. Max Derry, Dowling, SR - 16.218 29 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: N/A Analysis - Max is one of the latest Dowling defenders to step up from a reserve role last season and make an impact on defense. He’s like a brick wall on defense, as not many running backs are going to get past him running downhill. &nbsp; Top 20 Outside Linebackers &nbsp; #1. Aidan Moore, Johnston, SR - 20.501 31 tackles, 6 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #2. [player_tooltip player_id="23858" first="Thomaj" last="Davis"], Des Moines Roosevelt, SR - 16.517 8.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-2 (Minnesota State, Upper Iowa) &nbsp; #3. Bradley Hill, Bettendorf, JR - 15.072 21.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #4. [player_tooltip player_id="23956" first="Cade" last="Sheedy"], Davenport North, JR - 14.586 12 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #5. Maguire Jones, Prairie, JR - 14.429 14.5 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #6. Parker Sutherland, Pleasant Valley, SR - 14.090 21.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 0 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #7. [player_tooltip player_id="23823" first="Tucker" last="Langenberg"], Urbandale, SR - 13.889 12 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: FCS (Eastern Illinois, North Dakota, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Western Illinois) &nbsp; #8. Micheal Robinson, Waterloo West, SR - 13.876 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-3 (Loras, Simpson) &nbsp; #9. Jack Meyer, Dowling, SR - 13.159 22 tackles, 2 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #10. Ian McAreavy, Iowa City West, SR - 12.663 18 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #11. Desmond Grace II, Sioux City North, SR - 12.652 <strong>(Incomplete Stats)</strong> 13.5 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #12. Marcus Cross, Des Moines Lincoln, SR - 12.548 9 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception,  TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #13. [player_tooltip player_id="32681" first="Tyler" last="Johnson"], Ankeny Centennial, SR - 12.461 19.5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 1 TD Highest Offers: D-2 (Minnesota State, Missouri Western, South Dakota Mines, Wayne State (NE)) &nbsp; #14. Dom Bailey, Sioux City East, SR - 12.416 24 tackles, 9 TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #15. Drew Bartels, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, SR - 12.279 17.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland, Grand View) &nbsp; #16. [player_tooltip player_id="24021" first="Cade" last="Godwin"], Johnston, JR - 12.200 15.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #17. Sean Cunningham, Indianola, SR - 12.171 27.5 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #18. Chase Mahoney, Cedar Rapids Washington, SO - 12.127 17 tackles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #19. Taejon Jones, Sioux City East, JR - 11.958 23 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #20. Jackson Pennigroth, Ankeny, JR - 11.932 18.5 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; Top 15 Middle Linebackers &nbsp; #1. [player_tooltip player_id="23844" first="Seth" last="Bullock"], Dubuque Senior, SR - 19.461 32.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: FCS (Indiana State, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Southern Illinois) &nbsp; #2. Brecken Manus, Ankeny, SR - 16.582 20 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-2 (Missouri Western, Wayne State (NE)) &nbsp; #3. Max Derry, Dowling, SR - 16.218 29 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #4. [player_tooltip player_id="23811" first="Jaden" last="Harrell"], Urbandale, SR - 16.152 23.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Iowa (7/28/19) &nbsp; #5. Ethan Breyfogle, Sioux City East, SR -16.022 39.5 tackles, 5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #6. Nate Ewell, Waterloo West, SR - 15.293 19.5 tackles, 4 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: D-3 (Loras, Simpson) &nbsp; #7. [player_tooltip player_id="23930" first="Chase" last="Evanson"], Waukee, SR - 14.933 <strong>(Incomplete Stats)</strong> 13.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #8. Michael Acri, Pleasant Valley, SR - 14.148 33.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #9. Clayton Scott, Prairie, SR - 13.824 23 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #10. Romen Young, Cedar Rapids Washington, JR - 13.474 30 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #11. Rusty VanWetzinga IV, Pleasant Valley, SO - 12.736 27 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #12. Izik Grohe, Des Moines Lincoln, SR - 12.374 14.5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #13. Andrew Reed, Southeast Polk, SR - 11.978 23.5 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #14. [player_tooltip player_id="23980" first="Ryley" last="Barnett"], Cedar Falls, JR - 11.886 24 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #15. Gaige Avants, Davenport North, JR - 11.861 26 tackles, 5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp;