5 of Iowa’s A C/O 2022 Tackling Machines: LB’s Part V
Good play at the linebacker position requires a unique athletic skill set, precise instincts, and a willingness to lay it all on the line. Take a look at 5 of the best in Iowa’s Class A C/O 2022 and their…
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Continue ReadingGood play at the linebacker position requires a unique athletic skill set, precise instincts, and a willingness to lay it all on the line. Take a look at 5 of the best in Iowa’s Class A C/O 2022 and their distinctive qualities to find out what makes these linebackers verified tackling machines.
Brayden Sawyer, Grundy Center, hudl, Twitter
MLB, 5’11, 205
Sawyer is a freight train downhill on inside gaps and wallops ball carriers. He is a textbook tackler who keeps his shoulders square and feet active as runs through his opponent, takes away their momentum, and changes their direction. He is an incredibly secure tackler who does not allow yards after contact. Once he gets there it’s lights out and the play is over. Sawyer has very active feet at the snap as he reads his keys and works towards his responsibility. When he is taken to a playside gap he does an excellent job of using violent hands to shed blocks and get underneath offensive linemen who just aren’t as athletic or physical. He plugs gaps and makes his presence felt. When the ball goes backside Sawyer does an excellent job of scraping over the top of blocks and violently striking those who get in his path. Sawyer is quick laterally and can get to anything that hits between the tackles. He diagnoses quickly, trusts that his keys are going to take him to the ball, and is destructive when he gets there. Sawyer is also an excellent inside gap blitzer, is always in pursuit, and plays with outstanding leverage.
Adam Ayase, Nodaway Valley, hudl, Twitter
OLB, 6’0, 193
Ayase flies around and is all over the field from his Outside Linebacker position. He plays the game with violence and aggression that is second to none and does so within the description of his job. His tackles are low, secure, and punishing; he loves to hit and the big collisions he causes are prime evidence. Ayase sets a very hard edge to compress blocking schemes that are trying to stretch and get the ball off-tackle. Ayase often gets to the ball before it stretches or, if it does get outside, has the speed to run backs down before they can pick up yards. Ayase has excellent bend and gets flat from the edge when the ball goes away. He keeps everything in front of him to adjust upfield making a lot of tackles in the backfield or right behind the offensive line. When alignment, gap exchanges, or keys take him in the box he is just as effective. The support he provides inside backers is an asset; he cleans up cutbacks and navigates close quarters to get to the ball. Ayase has very quick feet, which lends well to blitzing. He has a great speed rush on passing downs and is very disruptive when sent inside.
Lorne Isler, St. Ansgar, hudl, Twitter
OLB, 5’9, 181
Isler is elite at avoiding blocks, getting off blocks, and navigating high traffic areas of the field to elude offensive linemen and get to the ball. He is so active through the path he needs to take to get to his responsibility using superior athleticism and technique to get home. Isler has a knack for getting out of those piles in position to make tackles. Sometimes the traffic is so dense and hectic that it prevents tackles from being clean, but he is an expert at making the play no matter what and the vast majority wouldn’t even be able to get there. Isler’s tackles are textbook when he can square up a ball carrier and execute the way he wants. He maintains posture as he drops his hips and sinks his hooks in to compress the legs and drive his leverage down into the turf. Isler is very fast and that is most visible out of his stance as he identifies keys and goes. If he missteps or ends up out of position, which is not often, he has the speed to erase mistakes. Isler has a tremendous amount of natural ability and instincts; the motor and fight that he plays with is remarkable. You name it he can do it: compress, get flat, scrape, fill, and pursue.
Jordan Kerger, Logan-Magnolia, hudl, Twitter
OLB, 6’0, 175
Kerger is versatile in alignment and has the athletic skill set to enable his team to run a multi-front defense. He can play a true Outside Linebacker in an odd front, step into the box to play Sam in a 4-3, or play Nickel Backer in a 4-2-5. Kerger is dominant off the edge. He can take on blocks playside, shock and shed offensive linemen, and get into gaps as the ball carrier approaches. He squeezes down and stays square to put himself in position when the ball comes play side to prevent backs from getting in space. He shows no hesitation in getting flat and chasing when action is away. Kerger impresses in the box at a traditional backer depth and alignment. He can play downhill, taking on blocks, filling gaps, and fitting windows. Kerger’s ability to move seamlessly from one position to another is a lot harder than it looks; the job description and how you have to react at the snap is very different. When playing the Nickel Backer Kerger has to operate in more space, but looks just as comfortable doing so. He is great at tackling in the open field and knows how to track a ball carrier and take precise angles.
Brecken Freeberg, Tri-Center, hudl, Twitter
ILB, 6’1, 190
Freeberg is without a doubt an elite athlete and looks like he could step in at any position on the field and execute at a high level. As an Inside Linebacker he can have the most impact on any given down. In the box he mostly plays at traditional depth, but sometimes steps up to play a Flex Backer position and saddles a Defensive Tackle. At the snap he stunts and exchanges with the teammate in front of him and uses superior speed and bend to avoid blockers as he shoots into gaps. Freeberg immediately identifies the play without getting too far upfield, keeps the play in front of him, and changes direction to get to the ball. When coming downhill from depth he is so quick that it is really difficult for blockers to get hands on him. He can adjust his pad level to get under blocks as he keeps his feet moving towards his fit. Freeberg is twitchy and explosive while maneuvering between the tackles. That part of his game is top-notch, but what impresses most is how hard he hits. Freeberg absolutely upends ball carriers and his first contact is punishing. He has excellent technique and accelerates into targets violently.