The 4A Club Midseason Player Rankings: Linebackers
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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…
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Continue ReadingEvery 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.
*Stats are up to Week 4*
#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.
#2. Seth Bullock Seth Bullock 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Dubuque | 2021 IA , 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.
#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.
#4. Thomaj Davis Thomaj Davis 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Roosevelt | 2021 IA , 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.
#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.
Top 20 Outside Linebackers
#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
#2. Thomaj Davis Thomaj Davis 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Roosevelt | 2021 IA , 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)
#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
#4. Cade Sheedy Cade Sheedy 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Davenport North | 2022 State IA , Davenport North, JR – 14.586
12 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#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
#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
#7. Tucker Langenberg Tucker Langenberg 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Urbandale | 2021 State IA , 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)
#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)
#9. Jack Meyer, Dowling, SR – 13.159
22 tackles, 2 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#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
#11. Desmond Grace II, Sioux City North, SR – 12.652 (Incomplete Stats)
13.5 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD
Highest Offers: N/A
#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
#13. Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 6'1" | 210 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2021 IA , 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))
#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
#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)
#16. Cade Godwin Cade Godwin 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Johnston | 2022 IA , Johnston, JR – 12.200
15.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD
Highest Offers: N/A
#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
#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
#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
#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
Top 15 Middle Linebackers
#1. Seth Bullock Seth Bullock 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Dubuque | 2021 IA , 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)
#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))
#3. Max Derry, Dowling, SR – 16.218
29 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 TD
Highest Offers: N/A
#4. Jaden Harrell Jaden Harrell 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Urbandale | 2021 State IA , Urbandale, SR – 16.152
23.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Iowa (7/28/19)
#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
#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)
#7. Chase Evanson Chase Evanson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Waukee | 2021 IA , Waukee, SR – 14.933 (Incomplete Stats)
13.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#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
#9. Clayton Scott, Prairie, SR – 13.824
23 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#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
#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
#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
#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
#14. Ryley Barnett Ryley Barnett 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Cedar Falls | 2022 State IA , Cedar Falls, JR – 11.886
24 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#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