2021 Uncommitted Linebackers

As college commitments from the Class of 2021 continue to roll in, I thought it would be a good time to reassess who are some of the top ’free agents’ still out there for colleges to scoop up. These guys will likely be playing somewhere next year – but as of this story – nobody knows where. With just two position groups to go, the focus now switches to linebackers. [player_tooltip player_id="18064" first="Ibk" last="Mafe"] <strong>Blaine</strong> I almost put Mafe with the defensive linemen – which is where he is categorized on prepredzonemn.com. He often played defensive as a senior and might be the most athletic defensive linemen in the state, but he usually played outside linebacker. His speed at both linebacker and defensive end set him apart – whether he is getting to the passer, working in coverage, or running plays down from behind. The best way to describe his tackling style is violent. [player_tooltip player_id="18034" first="Dominic" last="McMillian"] <strong>Minneapolis North</strong> McMillian has to be one of the fastest linebackers in the state. With his coverage skills from his outside linebacker position, it was not surprising to see him playing some defensive back as well. His anticipation in coverage is solid; his combination of length and speed make him tough to throw on. Unless he puts on some weight, he might not be big enough to play linebacker at the next level but would look great Saturdays’ at strong safety. Even with his thinner build, he can still use his long reach to engage blockers early to keep separation – allowing him to get off blocks. [player_tooltip player_id="18042" first="RJ" last="Chakolis"] <strong>Hopkins</strong> Chakolis might be the most physical linebacker in the state not committed to a college. He looks the part of a prototypical, run-stuffing middle linebacker. He is one of the better tacklers I have seen in this class – mainly due to his state championship wrestling pedigree. He moves great for a man his size and is fast enough to run down screens and plays to the sidelines. A two-way player, his overall athletic ability is apparent when he is catching passes deep down the field at over two-hundred pounds. Jake Klancher <strong>Crosby-Ironton</strong> If Chakolis is the most physical uncommitted linebacker in the state, Klancher might be next. The senior plays with an aggressive, punishing style. As physical as he is, Klancher is quick and athletic enough to track plays down from sideline to sideline. From his middle linebacker spot, he accumulated over 100 total tackles in this shortened COVID19 season. Although run stop is his bread and butter, he looks comfortable dropping into pass coverage too. [player_tooltip player_id="18065" first="Jake" last="Schwinghammer"] <strong>Tartan</strong> Schwinghammer moves exceptionally well in space. He takes good angles and is a solid open-field tackler. He has excellent vision and works his way through the trash quickly to find the ball. He looks like a running back (which he also is) how he picks his way through potential blockers – looking for a hole to attack the runner. His speed is also a significant asset. It not only allows him to go sideline to sideline from the middle linebacker position but also helps him fill the hole from a deep linebacker position.