Group 1 Defensive Players To Watch: Linebackers

As we continue to look at the best players from group one. Our attention is on the defensive side specifically the linebacker position. This is a position that has seen some major overhaul in terms of responsibilities, body types, etc. The linebacker position is one of the most demanding on the defensive side of the ball as defenses continue to combat offenses that want to deploy more players with speed. These young men are some of the best linebackers in group one and will be on many colleges recruiting radars by the time seasons end. <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13221629/61c9fba9ab9ce60b441c1a38"> [player_tooltip player_id="183495" first="Derron" last="Moore"], Woodbury 2023</a></strong> The best all-around linebacker in group one. Standing at 6’1 205 has the body type and skillset that you find in top off-ball linebackers. Has great instincts going forward as he does going backward. Shows great burst and agility when attacking the line of scrimmage. Creates much havoc at or behind the line scrimmage in the form of sacks and tackle for losses. Has very fluid movements, and has very good sideline to sideline agility showing great range. [caption id="attachment_266950" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-266950" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/V7KVY5HH-300x295.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="295" /> Photo: Twiiter[/caption] In run defense, he’s an instinctual gap shooter. Able to read and diagnose run plays quickly. Uses his good foot speed to beat most blockers to the point of attack. Shows solid play strength as a one on one tackler. In pass defense, show the ability to drop in zone and make plays with tipped passes, and alter passing lanes. Shows an uncanny burst when coming from depth to attack the quarterback. Is a sure one on one tackler in situations where he has to finish at the quarterback for sacks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Woodbury’s [player_tooltip player_id="183495" first="Derron" last="Moore"] records a sack to force a Woodstown fourth-down in the red zone. The Wolverines and the Thundering Herd are tied 0-0 with 1:32 left in the first quarter. <a href="https://twitter.com/SJSportsZone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJSportsZone</a> 🏈<a href="https://twitter.com/HERD_ATHLETICS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HERD_ATHLETICS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachNom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachNom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tshorts_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tshorts_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/antaverettjr_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@antaverettjr_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Woodstown_AD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Woodstown_AD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Woodstown_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Woodstown_FB</a> <a href="https://t.co/fc8DCX87JZ">pic.twitter.com/fc8DCX87JZ</a></p> — Kevin Emmons (@OfficialKEmmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialKEmmons/status/1462086159635464195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> His prospects going forward are the most intriguing. He has a frame that is ideal for adding more weight. Which will only make him better as a run defender. While he’s great at shooting gaps. At some point, to be a good run defender you have to be able to fight through and around blocks from better offensive linemen. The good news is he has long arms that will assist him in this development where he can consistently win the leverage battle. He shows all the traits of being a solid coverage linebacker. He has the length, hip mobility, movement skills, and footspeed to excel in a role of that magnitude. There is not much of this skill set on his tape, but as he progresses to higher levels of football he has high-end traits and instincts that suggest that playing both the run and the pass will be no issue for him. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="183495" first="Derron" last="Moore"] pick will do it</p> Woodbury up 8-6 under 2 left. <a href="https://twitter.com/HERD_ATHLETICS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HERD_ATHLETICS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachNom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachNom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Woodstown_AD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Woodstown_AD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Woodstown_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Woodstown_FB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SJGridironGang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJGridironGang</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WJFCA2020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WJFCA2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPearson3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPearson3</a> <a href="https://t.co/IdpPLocJf3">pic.twitter.com/IdpPLocJf3</a> — Josh Friedman (@JFriedman57) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFriedman57/status/1462111155762171920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12895240/61a38d8c02b2b10a807df643">[player_tooltip player_id="146683" first="Taylor" last="Siciliano"], Clayton, 2023</a></strong> This is a player that excels in pursuit. Never gives up on a play and has a relentless motor. Recording over 100+ tackles in 2021. Shows the ability to diagnose plays efficiently. As a result, shows solid play speed and is able to be reactionary. Show the willingness to take and destroy blocks. Able to diagnose blockers on the move and disrupt rhythm and timing at the point of attack. What’s most impressive is his ability to play screens. Whether it’s a wide receiver screen or a traditional screen, he’s able to sift through the trash and make the tackle. By using his quick instincts to read and diagnose plays at an above-average level. Siciliano is a solid player who plays instinctively, that has much room to grow. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4691013/Amare-Smith"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="183498" first="Amare" last="Smith"], Salem, 2023</strong></a> This was a tough evaluation. He shows solid tape at both edge rusher and linebacker. The most athletically gifted defensive player in group one, he pretty much does everything at a high level. Listed at 6’1 185 but looks and plays way bigger than that. Has a long-limbed frame with freakish movement skills he has the total package as a defensive player. As an edge rusher showed some solid hand usage on some of his pass rush wins with an explosive first step. He has a heavy basketball background and it shows a lot of his movement skills. Able to drop in coverage uses his long frame to disrupt passing lanes and ultimately create interceptions. He has a lot of God-given ability and untapped potential. This makes his future prospect unlimited. He could be an elite edge or linebacker the decision is his on where he wants to create the most havoc. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RAMS WITH A MAJOR NOT, MAC!</p> Salem’s [player_tooltip player_id="183498" first="Amare" last="Smith"] snags this INT and rolls 75 yards to pay dirt. SALEM 17 PAULSBORO 13 7:45 LEFT 3Q<a href="https://twitter.com/SalemFootballSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SalemFootballSJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MontWright856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MontWright856</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JayT23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayT23</a> <a href="https://t.co/Trn32NmtAb">pic.twitter.com/Trn32NmtAb</a> — Mark Trible (@Mtrible) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mtrible/status/1441804028657090566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Salem defense racks up two sacks on the final drive, including this one by [player_tooltip player_id="183498" first="Amare" last="Smith"] <a href="https://twitter.com/HERD_ATHLETICS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HERD_ATHLETICS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SalemFootballSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SalemFootballSJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SJGridironGang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJGridironGang</a> <a href="https://t.co/026O7XA80Z">pic.twitter.com/026O7XA80Z</a></p> — Tom McGurk (@McGurkSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/McGurkSports/status/1467526038368493571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>