PRZ Iowa | 2023 Rankings | Winter Update | LB Breakdown

From pass rushing Outside Linebackers who wreck off-tackle plays to gap-stuffing Middle Linebackers who own the middle of the field, Iowa has a ton of talent roaming around the second level of defense. These tackling machines are all over the field. Learn about some of the best at the position, newcomers and stock risers, that you need to take a look at. Newcomers LB15 [player_tooltip player_id="242691" first="Ryker" last="Stelling"], Kennedy, 5’11 190, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13089716/617758e14797b3052c6762b5">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/rykerstelling">Twitter</a> Stelling joins the Linebacker rankings at 15 in a season that saw him fill out the stat sheet. The Cougars’ leading tackler had 78 total tackles, 58 of which were solo, 12.5 tfl, a forced fumble, and an interception. What makes Stelling so impressive as an Inside Linebacker is his range; he is a sideline to sideline player who can cover a lot of ground. He plays with excellent lateral quickness and breaks on both the run and pass with urgency. There is a play on his highlights where he lined up in the boundary and Kennedy brought an overload blitz to the field, which put him in man coverage against the number two receiver, a Tight End. On a nearly impossible assignment he managed to get under the route, tip the pass, and cause an interception. This ability gives his defense the flexibility to show a lot of different looks. LB17 [player_tooltip player_id="247895" first="Payton" last="Ludington"], Lewis Central, 6’0 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13748145/61ad91c402bb48057877c726">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LudingtonPayton">Twitter</a> Ludington was a huge factor in one of the most impressive goal line stands in recent history when Lewis Central defeated Xavier for the 4A state title. On a first and fourth down stop, with his opponent inside the two yard line, he blitzed through the field side B gap to make a huge play. On first down he got very flat after breaking through the line of scrimmage to stand up the ball carrier, stop his momentum, and pull him backwards. On fourth down he took a perfect angle at the Quarterback on a sneak, drove right through his thighs, and took him to the turf. Ludington comes in at number 17 in the rankings. He is an excellent blitzer who does a great job of reacting and redirecting as he works past Offensive Linemen. Ludington has a keen ability to locate the ball and change direction to get home under control. LB18 [player_tooltip player_id="247899" first="Easton" last="Miller"], Ankeny Centennial, 6’0 180, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13281755/617ee45db019130b289d6d67">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EastonMiller6">Twitter</a> Miller is a tackling machine in the middle of the Centennial defense and is a specialist when it comes to fitting windows, shutting down inside runs, and forcing plays that are intended to hit between the Tackles to stretch. The way he reads keys and gets downhill in a hurry lands him at number 18 in the updated Linebacker Rankings. There are several clips on Miller’s highlights where he hits his gap like a wrecking ball and levels the ball carrier who is trying to cut into it. He is skilled at dipping under the hands of Linemen to stay clean as he is getting to the line of scrimmage. The way he takes away rushing lanes often forces ball carriers to bounce and this allows his teammates to flow to the ball with ease. Miller does a noticeably great job of attacking the shoulder he is responsible for and playing the run inside out. LB19 [player_tooltip player_id="247898" first="Aiden" last="Maurer"], Bettendorf, 6’0 195, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Gm24r">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AidenMaurer43">Twitter</a> Bettendorf’s defense was one of the best and most underrated in the state last year; a big reason why was [player_tooltip player_id="247898" first="Aiden" last="Maurer"] who was tied for a team-high with 63 tackles. He joins the Linebacker rankings at number 19 after showing off some impressive, essential position specific technique. The way Maurer shocks and sheds much larger Offensive Linemen is top notch. He expertly strikes just beneath the pads, locks out, and sinks his hip to get waist level at his opponent. The separation and depth he gets makes it so difficult to get hands on him in space or near the line of scrimmage. The other aspect of Linebacker play where Maurer really excels is getting over the top of blocks when action is going away. His reactions are quick and he doesn’t have to take rounded paths to stay clean, he can work straight to the ball. LB20 [player_tooltip player_id="247894" first="Thomas" last="Sundell"], Xavier, 5’10 175, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13262897/61a127bb42057f0308ede848">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ThomasSundell1">Twitter</a> There is so much discipline obvious in the way Sundell approaches the game; he may be a little undersized, but he is skilled and operates like the biggest player on the field. The all-state selection shows up in the rankings for the first time at number 20. He really does do it all. Sundell is impressive in coverage. The way he recognizes pass and gets plenty of depth in his underneath zone effectively takes away that part of the field and really supports those in coverage behind him. He is especially good at picking up routes and carrying them deep. The way he attacks the run is equally effective. Over and over Sundell uses superior quickness to make blockers whiff and get by them. He is also a textbook tackler; the way he compresses knees and ankles, runs his feet, and rolls through his opponent is picture perfect. Stock Risers LB1 [player_tooltip player_id="152884" first="Ben" last="Kueter"], City High, 6’3 220, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13060414/Ben-Kueter/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Benkueter1">Twitter</a> Kueter, a star on the gridiron and the mat, future multisport division 1 athlete, and the new top rated Linebacker in Iowa’s class of 2023 was dominance personified this fall. He anchored arguably the state’s best defense and provided fans of high school football with quite a few jaw dropping moments. He blitzed straight through a Guard against Davenport North, got his hands up to force their Quarterback to pull the ball back down, and swallowed him up. On a perfectly timed blitz against Urbandale he took the Quarterback right off his feet on one of the biggest bone crunching hits of the year. He showed off blazing speed against Kennedy by running down one of the state’s top Running Backs who had a 10 yard head start. These plays are just the tip of the iceberg and there were plenty more that were just as impressive. LB2 [player_tooltip player_id="105176" first="Cole" last="Garwood"], Urbandale, 6’3 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GEsP4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/cole_garwood">Twitter</a> Garwood, an absolute predator and elite all-state selection, moves up to number 2 in the updated Linebacker Rankings. He has the size and skill set to play inside or outside, anywhere at the position, regardless of scheme. Watching just a few snaps on his highlights is all you need to understand how explosive and dynamic of an athlete he is; his recruitment is certainly about to take off. On one play against Bettendorf he showed an inside gap blitz, flew back into zone coverage at the snap, recognized the Quarterback was pulling it down to escape the pocket and run, and flew to the ball with unparalleled closing speed to drop him for a loss. The ability he put forth in just that one clip shows so much. The footwork, mobility, awareness, twitch, power, and more needed to make that play was off the charts. Garwood is that good. LB4 [player_tooltip player_id="105163" first="Sam" last="Goode"], Southeast Polk, 6’2 220, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10953048/619c4960b01a6c03c0cb2a12">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sam_goode3">Twitter</a> Goode, one of Iowa’s toughest two-way stars who excels as a Tight End/H-Back and Edge defender, moves up to number 4 in the Linebacker rankings. Goode often has his hand in the ground, but is just as dominant on plays where alignment puts him in a two-point stance with a little space between himself and an Offensive Tackle. He projects as a 3-4 Outside Linebacker at the next level and has a very high ceiling. Goode excels against the run as an Edge defender who squeezes, takes space away, plays at the heel, keeps everything in front of him, and can redirect to any angle needed to be a factor on the play. He also has the grit to stick his nose in an inside gap if the play calls for it and be just as strong. Goode is also a disciplined pass rusher who knows how to get pressure and, importantly, keep contain. LB5 [player_tooltip player_id="149568" first="Jaxson" last="Hildebrand"], Denison-Schleswig, 6’0 215, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14887605/61798cc402b218047cc0773b">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Hilly7">Twitter</a> Hildebrand made several tackles that not only show how hard he can hit, but how strong he is at the point of attack. What impresses most is how powerful he looks on contact. Linebackers can’t always take the perfect angle, get through a gap untouched, and finish a play with a clean shot at the ball carrier. Sometimes things get messy and the way Hildebrand makes plays in those circumstances is a big reason why he moves up to number 5 in the rankings. One play that illustrates this was an off-tackle run. Hildebrand was working over the top of a Lineman; the ball carrier cut back and Hildebrand pulled himself back across the blocker’s face. He had no momentum and the Running Back had a full head of steam. Hildebrand absorbed the blow like it was nothing, sunk his hooks in, and drove the ball carrier backwards. LB8 [player_tooltip player_id="152902" first="John" last="Powers"], Bondurant-Farrar, 6’2 195, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13164913/619170dd3df541031c13e76e">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/johnny_powers_">Twitter</a> Powers slides up to number 8 in the Linebacker rankings after racking up a team high 87 tackles. Powers is right at home as an Inside Linebacker; his skill set is a perfect fit for the role he fills on his defense. Something that impresses is how he walks up to the line of scrimmage, usually over a Guard, to effectively give his team an extra Lineman. He shows off a lot of power on such downs when he locks out and separates from much larger opponents. The stunts and games that his abilities in close quarters allow his defense to run is very difficult to block. He gets in the backfield from this alignment often and has provided plenty of evidence that he is also a very strong blitzer and pass rusher. He is just as good from traditional Linebacker depth and can sniff out a play, rip through blockers, and run the ball down in a hurry.