2022 DFW Metroplex LBs to Know

<strong>Bryce Montgomery</strong> - Denton, TX (Braswell) - 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds: One of the first things I noticed on Montgomery’s film once it gets to the highlights of him at linebacker is that you don’t see many false steps or wasted movement once the ball is snapped. Just see him reading and explosively reacting which is what you want at the position. See him at times reading the pulling OL leading him where the play is going. Mans the MLB position of the Braswell defense and arrives with authority as a solid wrap-up tackler but see him moving to the weakside in college. Kid is twitchy with legit sideline to sideline speed. Really like the way he operates through trash vs the run game. Will dip his shoulder and contort his body in ways to avoid being blocked, which really stands out in his spring practice clips from this year as well. In the tweet below (Shirt off with grey shorts) you see how good of an athlete he is with easy change of direction and legit cover skills. Seeing him up close in the tweet you can see he has plenty of room to develop his body at the next level as well. Expect his stock to take off as we move forward. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12280867/5fcbdfa034489309d8aff8e6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> https://twitter.com/25Different_/status/1402355398305275907 <strong>Jack McAdams</strong> - Coppell, TX (Coppell) - 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds: Physically, McAdams already has good size on his frame with room to add more as he tells me he wants to get to 215-220 before the season. On film you see someone who can rush off the edge from the OLB position he mans. Flashes, smooth & sudden change of direction ability. Really like the agility he shows. Plays Lacrosse as well which only helps with his athleticism and footwork. Plays with a non-stop motor and is strong at the point of attack. See a few times where he just overpowers WRs in the screen game or RBs when rushing the passer. Also like the hand usage he flashes as a rusher as well. Really solid tackler who wraps up, don’t see him coming down hill just throwing his shoulder into the ball carrier. Could see him settling in nicely at the SLB position with the size and strength he already has. Had a productive JR year with 85 tackles (48 Solo), 11 TFL, 5 Pass Deflections, 3 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble & 1 Fumble Recovery. Currently receiving IVY League interest along with interest from Army and Navy at this point but don’t be surprised if that picks up now that the dead period is over. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13275600/5f88a5b80c5e6f0a002eaa0c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130686" first="Jonathon" last="Okate"]</strong> - Arlington, TX (Martin HS) - 6-foot-1 and 215-pounds: Okate’s teammate, [player_tooltip player_id="60757" first="Trevell" last="Johnson"] who also plays linebacker and is committed to Texas gets all the accolades at this point, but man, Okate is definitely worthy of mention as well. He already has solid size and looks like he could step in and play as a freshman in college physically already. Like I mentioned about Montgomery above, you don’t see Okate false stepping hardly at all as he just reads, reacts and closes in a hurry delivering a solid blow. Shows he can flip his hips and change directions fluidly. Looks really solid in coverage as on one play he easily mirrors the RB up the sideline on a stop & go forcing an incompletion. Another play you see his instincts and eyes working with him reading the RB flaring out of the backfield but sees the QB looking inside and flips his hips to jump back inside resulting in an interception. He had a really productive year last season finishing with 84-tackles, 5-sacks, 2-interceptions and 3-forced fumbles. With how well he plays in space could man that WLB position at the next level but also could see him playing MLB as well. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11376747/5f73599a688e8805904c012c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> <strong>Joshua Williams</strong> - Mesquite, TX (Mesquite) - 6-foot-2 and 190-pounds: Williams is a thumper man and a missile when closing on the ball. The closing speed he has is really fun to watch and makes him really effective as a blitzer off the edge. Last year was his first year playing LB so you do see him hopping a bit before reacting as he is still learning the position having played QB and WR before. He’s more so relying on his speed & athleticism than his instincts and play recognition but that’s understandable being so green at the position. But once he learns the position and can just read and react, look out. Like the length he brings on his frame but at just 190-pounds he will obviously need time to put on the needed weight to play the position at the next level. Like him at the WLB position at the next level. He’s currently committed to Utah State and also holds offers from East Central and SFA but expect more offers to definitely follow. He will be attending the Baylor camp this upcoming Saturday which I will be at as well so will be sure to get an up close look at him there. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12418386/5fca7ada64ea1908b4f03d3e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Omarion Millsap</strong> - Fort Worth, TX (Polytechnic) - 6-foot and 215-pounds: Millsap is really impressive when dropping in coverage as the 2nd clip of his film and especially the clip at 1:01 displays. Just has a good feel for moving in space and getting into passing lanes but then also has impressive ball skills to make a play on the ball. Had four interceptions on the year last year. A knockback tackler with speed that really jumps out at you on his film. Will make effort plays as well to chase plays down field or across the field. Flashes smooth change of direction and loose hips. His height will cause some to overlook him but this kid shows a lot of intriguing ability on film. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13423448/5fd5c213f55ff9105c7c4bf6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>