Fort Worth Stock Up Showcase: Linebackers

First off let me just say that the Prep Redzone Fort Worth Showcase brought in some familiar faces to me in the Texas Wesleyan coaching staff! A group of highly skilled professionals who bring tons of former NFL and college football experience to the table, constantly spreading great knowledge of the game. I’ve personally learned under this coaching staff so I know how much of a hard working group of men they are. The Linebackers were being coached by a mentor of mine, Paul Duckworth, that I’ve had the privilege of watching coach up close for a year now, a great teacher of men and football. Throughout the process of spectating, I circled some names of linebackers that have stood out to me during the Prepredzone showcase! Each one of these individual prospects have caught my eye based on their 1 on 1 coverage performances in Fort Worth with reps were versus the runningback coming out of the backfield on routes. Starting out with swing passes on each side to test closing speed post catch , and later tested man coverage abilities on each side when the quaterback prospects came in.   <img class="wp-image-275375 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/23-Jonah-Bowman-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="215022" first="Jonah" last="Bowman"] 6’2" 230lbs Rock Hill 2024 When standing next to [player_tooltip player_id="215022" first="Jonah" last="Bowman"], it just kept amazing me that this kid was only a sophomore this season! With his massive size and athleticism, Bowman is extremely hard to miss in the position group! His movement in coverage is very fluid, with great closing speed that make me wish everyone was padded up because there would have been some pads rocking in Fort Worth! He’s one of those guys that you can hear his footsteps coming right at you! Bowman’s offensive reps really impressed me as well, looks like he could easily switch to tight end with great ball tracking and hands. A natural leader, Bowman is extremely vocal with his peers while still listening and learning to further himself and his squad. This is a guy who I expect to be highly regarded in the recruiting scene come 2024. I’ll be watching Rock Hill football for the next couple of seasons for sure! <img class="wp-image-275378 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/25-Hudson-Emeterio-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="276119" first="Hudson" last="Emeterio"] 6’3" 190lbs Argyle 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="276119" first="Hudson" last="Emeterio"] looks comfortable coming out of his stance in 1 on 1 coverage, watching the receiver and not committing his pursuit too soon. Hudson’s patience and focus really pay off for him with being able to move his feet and remain discipline pre-throw, not get too jumpy and over commit while simultaneously closing in on the receiver to prevent separation. He Has good burst to the football post throw and is a long prospect that makes it difficult to complete a catch on. Overall Hudson was a fun kid to meet, seemed very coachable and has good character from my perspective. I have high expectations for [player_tooltip player_id="276119" first="Hudson" last="Emeterio"] after the Prepredzone Showcase and I’m excited to watch him next season for Argyle! <img class="wp-image-275381 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/29-Zachary-LaCombe-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="242258" first="Zach" last="LaCombe"] 6’ 215lbs Rouse 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="242258" first="Zach" last="LaCombe"] really showed his experience and maturity in 1 on 1 drills with his reps. He impressed me with his inability to get fooled on routes and appears polished and vocal, while also being able to listen and learn to get better. Zach has good size on him, and nice lateral movement with deceptive speed. He plays tight coverage, contesting catches consistently to force incompletions. The video underneath really described his showing in Fort Worth, his footwork and agility really stand out for his size! LaCombe has a level head on his shoulders, with his combination of athleticism and intelligence, senior year is going to bring alot of offers his way! Rouse Football is now on my radar. [video width="600" height="1044" mp4="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/20220123_1539252.mp4"][/video]   <img class="wp-image-275419 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/82-Maluia-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Aloisio Maluia 6’ 220lbs Euless Trinity 2025 Maluia is a very natural athlete on a football field. I saw nice form and comfortably in his stance already as a freshman, I’ve seen seniors that still dont look comfortable in their stance but he just looks like he really understands form and technique. He pays close attention to coaches and works full speed every rep, Maluia is 100% effort until the whistle all day! I really cant say enough about Maluia in coverage, it just seems like he is in the right place every time! He was the only LB with a pick during the drills and to be honest even if he would have dropped that ball, Maluia was in such perfect coverage 30 yards down field that you just have to appreciate the knowledge of reading his recievers route and getting into position to make a play and he is only a freshman! Trinity has had a couple really good linebackers these past couple years, it sure looks like they been given another future great!