2024 Rankings Newcomers: Linebackers

Photo: Reid Farrell Hudl

Paul Gregorian January 29, 2022 @ 12:47 PM

[player_tooltip player_id="273581" first="Micah" last="Valenzuela"], Sierra Canyon HS Valenzuela holds one FBS offer from Arkansas State going into his junior season and should start to see other interest as he continues through Spring. On tape, he is a true new aged Mike backer with hip fluidity in space, good overall and closing speed and able to tackle and run sideline to sideline while covering bigger receivers. His frame will allow him to pack on more weight in college and he can play multiple positions at the next level. In the box, he is physical and has a quick play diagnosis while able to weave around blockers and make very sound tackles while taking good angles and bringing a nice pop at contact. Only a Sophomore, he should be a multi FBS offer guy by the time it’s all said and done.   [player_tooltip player_id="273595" first="Travis" last="Ford"], Helix HS Ford is a big physical thumper that might find his home at defensive end in college due to his natural size and movement abilities off the ball. On tape, he is explosive off the edge while using his hands well to pin blockers and gets off blocks violently in the box while able to open field tackle and close nicely. Versatile on both sides of the ball, he is a jumbo athlete that moves well for his size and offers some upside at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id="273601" first="Reid" last="Farrell"], Valencia HS Farrell is another true inside linebacker at the next level and plays with a high motor and good toughness while bringing explosiveness through contact. During his Sophomore season, he showed that he is a downhill thumper with quick play diagnosis and plays with heavy hands, low pad level and flashes closing speed inside the tackles. Farrell can cover when needed but excels in run support and shows good lateral movement abilities while able to apply pressure from various angles and give a nice violent pop at contact.   [player_tooltip player_id="273610" first="Tanu" last="Sosa"], Serra HS Sosa has next level abilities and will only continue to grow and develop through his final two seasons for Serra. He is a strong tackler on the perimeter and tracks ball carriers well while rarely missing tackles and plays with good physicality at the point of attack. Also showing some flashes of pass rush ability with hand usage and bend, he is one of the top young linebackers to watch going into the Spring of 2022.   [player_tooltip player_id="273583" first="Tyler" last="Arlaud"], Heritage HS Arlaud plays with a relentless motor and should find his home at outside linebacker at the next level due to his open field athleticism and hip fluidity when covering and tackling in space/bending off the edge. Playing both linebacker and defensive end, he is a high motor player that can get off blocks quickly without giving up ground and shows solid pursuit backside. Still developing, as he continues to pack on more size and weight he will continue to develop into a top ’24 linebacker the Bay Area has to offer.