AYF National Tournament: PrepRedzoneNEXT’s LB Standouts
When I think about the game of football, images of Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, and Junior Seau flash through my head from countless Sunday afternoons on my parent’s couch in Minneapolis. The linebacker position is synonymous and symbolic with the…
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Continue ReadingWhen I think about the game of football, images of Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, and Junior Seau flash through my head from countless Sunday afternoons on my parent’s couch in Minneapolis. The linebacker position is synonymous and symbolic with the game of football itself. You have to be tough, you have to be versatile, and you have to be a leader. A standout LB can really be a gamechanger and cover a lot of mistakes for his teammates in both the run and pass game and on top of that they are one of the most fun positions to watch on their side of the football. During my time at the AYF National Championships in Kissimmee last month, I saw some promising youth LB prospects from the 2026 and 2027 graduating classes that PrepRedzoneNEXT believe show a lot of promise on the gridirons of their future high school programs. From the urban sprawls of Los Angeles, the beaches of eastern Florida, and the plains of Kansas, PrepRedzoneNEXT is the only place you can find tomorrow’s talent, today. Check out these young thumpers below!
Linebackers
Skylar Lendsey (OG Ducks) C/o 2026. ILB. 5’10, 190 lbs. @SkylarLendsey
A strong, hard-nosed, downhill MLB rocking #00 for the national powerhouse OG Ducks, Lendsey was impressive at taking on blocks from linemen at the second level or pulling through the interior of the offensive line. He also showed some wiggle and versatility when blitzing the QB and having to find various ways to maneuver around massive youth guards and tackles. He was also an impressive tackler who was technically strong and aggressive at the point of contact. He’s got a bright future at the high school level and should be able to at least contribute on special teams as an underclassman.
Ezekial Su’a (OG Ducks) C/o 2026. ILB.
Ezekial Su’a came in on my personal list of favorite overall prospects at #2 from the entire AYF National Tournament. Although I didn’t get to see every prospect there, Su’a was unforgettable in both his physical appearance as well as play style. He flew around the gridiron like his hair was on fire and could go sideline-to-sideline with ease snap after snap of his high profile 14U All-American matchups with some of the best youth football teams in the country. Su’a took excellent angles in pursuit and exploded through ball carriers upon first contact. He was also quick when evading blocking attempts and played with a ton of energy, excitement, and joy, just like how football should be played. I’ll be very excited to see what high school he ends up attending.
Ezekial Su’a – OG Ducks
Jamari Bland (Wichita Cowboys) C/o 2027. 5’7, 175 lbs. OLB.
Playing as more of an OLB for the 13U Wichita Cowboys, Bland was an unexpected surprise as he was dangerous and productive off the edge as a blitzer against some massive OTs of Chicago’s Southside Wolfpack. His lateral agility, hand usage, and bend were hard for bigger/slower tackles to get enough depth and adjust to, and he helped turn the tide in the Cowboys favor after recording back-to-back sacks during a pivotal defensive series for his Kansas-based squad. He’s still got a lot of room to grow and time to hit the weight room as well. Can’t teach that clutch gene!
Sharodney Harrison (Eastside Cowboys) C/o 2026. 6′, 155 lbs. OLB.
Another productive and natural football player who did his best work off the edge came out of Detroit and the Eastside Cowboys Sharodney Harrison. His first step was explosive and I was really impressed with the timing and effectiveness of his hands when getting after the QB. If lineman flash those hands too early and/or lunge it is game over for that block attempt as he has a swift chop/rip and is more than quick enough to cross face inside of tackles or guards. Despite his smaller stature, he was tough and strong enough to not get tossed around my guards and centers when battling in the trenches. He looked fast enough to play a more traditional LB role off the ball but I think the Cowboys couldn’t ignore how dangerous he was as a pass-rusher. He was also fast enough and comfortable in space to make some impressive open-field tackles on kickoff duty. Overall a natural football player.
Sharodney Harrison – Eastside Cowboys
Devon Armstrong (Southside Wolfpack) C/o 2027. OLB.
Displayed good size (~around 6’1, 185 lbs.) and a frame that is going to really flourish in a high school S&C program that really has the chance to impress. His length and natural strength made him a tough blocking assignment and he was also a willing tackler who brings a lot of positional versatility to the table. His best football is in front of him.
Daniel MacCharles (So Cal Trojans) C/o 2026. ILB. 5’10, 215 lbs. @Dan32Mac
Brick wall of a middle schooler who showed impressive instincts and the ability to process his keys and diagnose plays quickly and effectively. He could not be fooled when offenses attempted to run screens. He also had some solid speed in pursuit for a recruit of his size and showed quickness when evading block attempts as well. Has the size to play sooner rather than later in high school.
Daniel MacCharles – So Cal Trojans
Trevor Barry (Vegas Strong) C/o 2026. MLB.
Just a heads up, Trevor’s last name may be spelled “Berry” instead of “Barry” but I may be correct in my original spelling. Sorry about not being certain! However, the Vegas Strong LB was a very impressive MLB who set the tone in the run game and a thumper of a tackler. Good size as well.
Mike McClenton (Osceola Kowboys) C/o 2026. ILB.
One of the hardest hitters I saw at the AYF Tournament, McClenton was a devastating RB/LB combo who did his best work in between the tackles on both sides of the ball. He made absorbing contact look easy, as he could defeat blocks and withstand pulling guards decleating attempts while still keeping his eyes on the football. He had a very strong lower body that could generate a lot of power when he exploded through contact. Good athlete.
Mike McClenton – Osceola Kowboys
Ronald Jackson (Glen Lea Lions) C/o 2027. 5’9, 160 lbs.
Tackle machine who was all over the field in pursuit of the football and did a great job of using his body as a heat-seeking missile who pack a wallop for his size. He also did a great job of shooting gaps and timing out his blitzes and he made a couple big TFLs against the Miami Gardens Ravens in AYF 13U play.
Ronald Jackson – Glen Lea Lions
Ezaya Tokio (San Diego Bolts) C/o 2027. 6’4, 175 lbs.
With long, flowing hair out of the back of his helmet and a 6’4 frame that couldn’t be missed, San Diego Bolts linebacker was the heart and soul of his 13U defense and could go sideline-to-sideline after the football with noteworthy closing speed. One of the best tacklers in space I saw during my time in Kissimmee who used his length and nonstop motor to his advantage. Going to be a giant LB at the next level in a few years.
Bryant “BJ” Junius (Miami Gardens) C/o 2027. 6′, 188 lbs.
Thick and aggressive. Packed a punch in the hole when meeting RBs who showed he was able to read and react to the paths of RBs and Qbs. Could start and stop well to react to the moves of ball carriers and rarely missed tackles. Could play multiple LB positions as well.
Bryant Junius – Miami Gardens
Leon Strawder (Miami Gardens) C/o 2027. OLB.
Passed the eye test for the c/o 2027 prospects at the tournament and could hold and defend the edge with a ton of strength and enthusiasm. Good tackler with the frame to add a ton more weight once he hits the high school ranks.
Leon Strawder – Miami Gardens
Bradyn Cook (Cocoa Tigers) C/o 2026. MLB. 5’9, 175 lbs.
The leader of the fast and furious Cocoa Tigers 14U All-American defense was a menace between the tacklers and was consistent and effective at playing low and getting under the pads of bigger linemen. He displays a thick build with powerful quads that can obliterate pullers and RBs alike. Did his best work in the box against the run.
Bradyn Cook – Cocoa Tigers