EXOS Select 50 Showcase: DL and LB Standouts

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">EXOS Select 50 Showcase: DL and LB Standouts</span></strong></p> &nbsp; DL and Overall MVP [player_tooltip player_id="130696" first="Matt" last="Freeman"] stole the show, putting on a clinic at both the DL and LB positions, and LB MVP Evan Riederich had a great camp as well. Besides the 2 MVPs at the DL and LB positions, there were a handful of other players that popped. &nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">DL Standouts</span></strong> <strong>Kaden Freeman – Reedy 2023 – 6’4 220lbs</strong> Freeman is a long and lean DE that plays with a high motor and plenty of speed and bend off the edge. He has a quick start off the line and can convert speed to power to drive blockers back. Kaden understands how to use his length and hands to keep offensive linemen at a distance, and also disengage from blockers when needed. &nbsp; <strong>Caden Hodge – Reedy 2023 – 6’1 230lbs</strong> Hodge is a stout DL that relies heavily on his power. He has a strong punch and is solid at getting push with a bull rush. He can be a plug in the run game, that can push the pocket on passing downs. &nbsp; <strong>Landon Hickey – Flower Mound 2024 – 6’0 190lbs</strong> Hickey is a lean DE, with room to add weight to his frame. His hand usage allows him to keep his chest free, and his high effort will wear on an offensive lineman as the game goes on. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>LB Standouts</strong></span> <strong>Jackson Barry – John Paul II 2022 – 6’1 225lbs</strong> Barry is a solid, well-built inside linebacker. He is a fluid athlete, with a quick burst. Jackson takes good angles to the ball and understands how to leverage the ball carrier. &nbsp; <strong>Sean Chester – Memorial 2024 – 6’1 180lbs</strong> Chester, the son of former NFL player Chris Chester, is a long and lean linebacker with plenty of room to fill out his frame. He has quick feet and takes solid angles to the ball. His length allows him to cover a lot of passing windows when in zone coverage. &nbsp; <strong>Travis Christianson – Payson (AZ) 2022 – 6’0 190lbs</strong> Christianson has a solid frame. He takes great angles to the ball carrier and looks for work when in zone coverage, constantly moving around and adjusting to the routes around him. When in man coverage, Travis has a strong jam to disrupt the route and can play that ball well. &nbsp; <strong>Darren Nickerson – Reedy 2025 – 6’1 162lbs</strong> Nickerson is long and lean but has plenty of time and room on his frame to fill out. For being so young, he excels at recognizing route concepts in zone coverage and using his length to take away passing windows. He definitely has a bright future as he continues to develop.