Elite Linebackers Showing Out

With the first three games having come and gone, there is a lot to evaluate from some of the state’s top players. Week 4 is quickly approaching, so today we will take a look at how the season is going for the top linebackers in our rankings for both the Class of 2022 and the Class of 2023. Many of the teams that these players represent have gotten off to good starts this term. The five players on today’s list are instrumental parts of that success. But in order to go far into the postseason, these five will need to lead their defenses and impose their will on the game. [player_tooltip player_id="39054" first="Domanick" last="Moon"], 6’2, 215 pounds, Snider, Senior In the early portion of the season, [player_tooltip player_id="39054" first="Domanick" last="Moon"] has displayed exactly why he is heading to the Big Ten when he plays for Purdue next season. Snider has gotten off to a nice start to the season at 2-1. Next year Jeff Brohm will be getting a quality linebacker who can be the centerpiece of the defense. Moon is a disciplined and instinctive player. He reads the game well and he knows where he needs to be. His athletic ability is off the charts. Moon is very quick, allowing him to cover so much ground. When stopping the run, Moon is a sideline-to-sideline defender and a very sound tackler. Moon’s speed allows him to handle coverage assignments well. [player_tooltip player_id="98020" first="Jaylen" last="Lattimore"], 6’3, 220 pounds, South Side, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="98020" first="Jaylen" last="Lattimore"] is a dominant outside linebacker for the South Side Archers. Lattimore creates an outstanding passing rush. He has long arms which allow him to defeat the hands of the offensive tackle. Lattimore uses his hands very well. He has great power, frequently going right through the opposing tackle. Lattimore gets the constant pressure on the quarterback that a defense needs. If he can keep it up, South Side could be a sleeper team this year. [player_tooltip player_id="97818" first="Dh’Mari" last="Wright"], 6’5, 220 pounds, Andrean, Senior Andrean have a serious argument for best linebacker corps in Indiana. [player_tooltip player_id="97818" first="Dh’Mari" last="Wright"] provides the senior leadership for the highly talented group. Wright is another exceptional outside linebacker. He does very well rushing the passer and stopping the run. On pass plays, Wright gets off the ball quickly and uses his hands and his speed to beat the offensive tackle. When defending the run, Wright does a great job setting the edge on runs to his side of the field. He holds his ground and allows the rest of the defense to rally to the football, if he does not make the stop himself. On run plays that go to the other side, Wright shows great pursuit and he gets down the line in a hurry. [player_tooltip player_id="39070" first="Drayk" last="Bowen"], 6’2, 215 pounds, Andrean, Junior [player_tooltip player_id="39070" first="Drayk" last="Bowen"] is ranked as the top overall player in the Class of 2023. His tape justifies that position. Bowen is a versatile player who plays the game with incredible intensity. Bowen does well stopping the run, covering receivers and getting after the quarterback. Bowen is incredibly fast and he trusts his instincts. He puts his foot in the ground and attacks. Bowen is a thumper at linebacker. When he gets to the ball, he makes a huge impact. Bowen can fly around the field. As a result, he can be extremely serviceable in so many different situations. [player_tooltip player_id="39070" first="Drayk" last="Bowen"]’s intensity, passion and physical skills make him a prospect that college teams cannot afford to overlook. [player_tooltip player_id="39067" first="Chris" last="Jordan"], 6’0, 220 pounds, Warren Central, Junior [player_tooltip player_id="39067" first="Chris" last="Jordan"] is a playmaker at linebacker for a good Warren Central team. Jordan is a fast player who attacks as soon as diagnoses the play. It does not take him very long at all to get to the ball, not just because of his tremendous quickness, but also because he has good instincts. He makes good reads and gets himself into a great position to make the play. Jordan is a very sure tackler. He knows how to finish each play with authority and there is no getting out of his tackles.