Small school watchlist: Class of 2022 linebackers

Some more small-school prospects on the radar come on the defensive side of the ball, most notably these prospects in Class 1A and 2A. Let's look at the latest group of small-school prospects in Colorado who could thrive in 2021 and earn their way to play at the next level. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22735" first="Miles" last="Sprague"], 2022, 6’1, 190, QB/LB, Holyoke</strong></span> Sprague is a stat stuffer on offense, but he is showing plenty of work this offseason in defensive drills at camps. The senior from Holyoke flashes good athleticism and the ability to change direction well in drills at a number of summer camps so far. He flashes a mean streak and will lower his shoulder to initiate contact routinely on the field, and his downhill style allows him to be a big presence in the box on defense. He recorded 64 total tackles in the shortened 2020 season, averaging just over 10 per game, and set a season-high 24 solo stops in his junior season. In addition to showing his physicality, Sprague shows good speed which came help him rush off the edge or chase down a ball carrier in the open field. Entering his fourth season with varsity experience, coupled with multiple appearances and workouts and camps this summer, look for Sprague to have an opportunity to earn some offers from small level schools to play at the next level. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="58948" first="Ky" last="Bandy"], 2022, 5’8, RB/LB, Limon</span></strong> Bandy has been a leader on the defensive end for the state champion Limon Badgers in the last two seasons. As a sophomore in 2019, he finished with 138 and five tackles for loss. The number averaged to be similar per game as a junior in the shortened 2020 season as he had 77 tackles and two tackles for loss in seven games. You will see him all over the field and used in a variety of ways, but regardless of where he is and what his responsibility is, he produces with solid numbers every night. The 77 tackles he recorded makes him the top tackler from the linebacker spot in Class 1A returning this fall, and a third-straight season producing on defense will make him a prospect to watch for smaller schools. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22737" first="Matthias" last="Brown"], 2022, 6’3, 205, OL/LB, Strasburg</strong></span> From his tackle position on offense, Brown stays attached to his defender and drives them with good technique. He shows the opposite on defense: the ability to shed blocks and stay free to hit the ball carrier. His delivers a strong punch at contact, and his vision and ability to dissect plays quickly helps him get in the right position. Brown’s skills also work well on the blitz, where he shines hitting the gap and delivering heavy contact at the line of scrimmage to prevent offensive lineman from staying attached or getting to the second level easily. In 2020, Brown had 66 tackles and five tackles for loss to be a team leader on defense for the state runner-ups in Class 1A. With a big senior class not returning this year, expect him to play an even bigger role on defense this fall. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58949" first="Justin" last="Hawthorne"], 2022, 6’0, 185, LB, Resurrection Christian</strong></span> One thing that jumps out on the highlight tape for Hawthorne is the motor he plays with. He does not give up on a play, whether it’s making a Superman dive to push a ball carrier out of bounds to save a touchdown or putting a defender on his back and then chasing down a punt returner on special teams. That effort will allow him to make an impact, big or small, each week on the field. One particular area Hawthorne has stood out the most is rushing the quarter. He had a monster sophomore season with 12.5 sacks in 2019 and followed up with five more last fall. He would also go on to record 48 total tackles, 30 of which were solo stops, and 10 tackles for loss total. As his all-around game continues to evolve, expect Hawthorne to be all over the field helping Resurrection Christian make another run at getting back to the playoffs this season.