PRZ Iowa | C/O 2022 Rankings | December Update | LB Breakdown
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The Linebacker rankings experienced a shakeup with some new names joining the list and existing players climbing it through impressive play. Take a look below to see where they landed in the 2022 rankings update and what it is they…
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Continue ReadingThe Linebacker rankings experienced a shakeup with some new names joining the list and existing players climbing it through impressive play. Take a look below to see where they landed in the 2022 rankings update and what it is they do so well regarding Linebacker play to earn their spot. These Linebackers had big Senior years that should lead to plenty of opportunity at the next level. There are several names on this list to know about and keep tabs on as commitments and signings continue.
Newcomers
LB13 Sean Gavin Sean Gavin 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Ankeny | 2022 State IA , 6’3 225, Ankeny, hudl, Twitter
Gavin joins the list at number 13 in the rankings as a Linebacker who has proven he can rush the passer, set an edge, and cover an underneath zone; there is no doubt he could do it well at the next level, too. He really burst onto the scene as one of Ankeny’s top contributors and most productive players with 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Gavin was undoubtedly one of the best Edge defenders in all of Iowa this fall. One of his top play’s came against Waukee Northwest; he lined up on an outside shade of the Tight End in the boundary, squeezed a down block at the snap, got underneath an H back who motioned over to kick him out, and brought his arm down on the ball as he made the tackle in the backfield to force a fumble, which he recovered. Gavin is a menace against the run and just as good of a blitzer and pass rusher.
LB25 Cameron Meislahn Cameron Meislahn 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Bondurant-Farrar | 2022 IA , 6’3 220, Bondurant-Farrer, hudl, Twitter
Meislahn, who recently committed to Grandview, was one of the best downhill, gap stuffing Inside Linebackers to be found the fall in Iowa. He racked up 84.5 tackles, 63 of which were solo, and did it in very physical fashion. Meislahn joins the Linebacker rankings at number 25 as a mean, throwback style of a player who is a monster between the tackles. What he does so well, over and over again, is read his key, work towards his fit, match the path of the ball carrier, and erupt right through them. He knows exactly how to line up a ball carrier, accelerate on contact, and take them off their feet. Another thing he does really well is flow over the top of blocks when action is away to stay clean and get to the ball. Meislahn should be a dominant Will Linebacker at the next level and continue to own the box.
LB30 Christian Stanek Christian Stanek 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Xavier | 2022 IA , 5’11 185, Xavier, hudl, Twitter
Though a little undersized, Stanek plays like the biggest guy on the field and has the athletic skill set to line up in a number of different positions and thrive at the next level. He joins the Linebacker rankings at number 30 after a year where he had 63 tackles on one of Iowa’s best defensive units. Whether blitzing, filling, or pursuing, Stanek does an incredible job operating in space. Something that stands out right away on film is how quick he is to the ball and how well he stays clean on his way there. He is too fast for Offensive Linemen to climb to or pick up and when a window appears he shoots his shot right away and is gone. Stanek really seemed to excel lining up to the backside of formations where he could be more aggressive, function as an extra hat and free player, track the ball, and wreak havoc.
LB32 John Klosterman John Klosterman 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Iowa City High | 2022 IA , 6’0 215, City High, hudl, Twitter
Klosterman is among the best when it comes to sideline to sideline and closing speed from the Linebacker position; if an offense wanted to get lateral and off-tackle this fall, they should have been smart enough to run away from his side of the ball. He comes in at number 32 as a new addition to the rankings in a loaded crop of Linebackers. Southeast Polk tried to run a Jet Sweep at him in the state semifinals and he flew into the backfield to shut the play down before it ever had a chance. He accounted for 59.5 tackles and plays like that are frequent on his highlights. Another part of his game that is very apparent on film is how well he tackles, it’s textbook. He plays through his hips, sinks them nice and low once he’s within a step of his target, and launches through his opponent without slowing down.
LB42 Adam Hackett Adam Hackett 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB East Buchannan | 2022 IA , 6’0 175, East Buchannan, hudl, Twitter
Hackett was a human football magnet this fall as he tallied 94 tackles for the Buccaneers in a season where they reached the state finals. He comes in at number 42 as a new addition in the updated Linebacker rankings. The two-way star, who also led his team in rushing, is an outstanding athlete who has made it clear that he can plug into a number of positions on either side of the ball at the next level. His film is proof of a player who understands the position really well through knowledge acquired and instincts that can’t be taught. Hackett compliments that exceptionally well with high-end athleticism. He has very mobile hips and plenty of twitch in his first step. There is a high degree of patience and control that he executes his job with while staying active at all times, which is a unique trait, especially for a young player.
Stockrisers
LB3 Landyn Van Kekerix Landyn Van Kekerix 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley | 2022 State IA , 6’2 195, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, hudl, Twitter
Nighthawks’ two-way star Landyn Van Kekerix Landyn Van Kekerix 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley | 2022 State IA achieved a rare feat by leading his team in rushing, receiving, and tackling. Van Kekerix was simply the best player on the field whenever he stepped on it this year. He climbs all the way near the top of the Linebacker rankings at number 3 and the Hawkeyes’ PWO could very well be taking some meaningful snaps on Saturdays if his ability and development continues at the soaring trajectory it is currently on. Whatever path to the ball was most efficient, be it evading a block or blasting right through it, Van Kekerix took and there was no stopping him. He was simply dominant in the middle, but the depth of his skill set allowed him to line up all over formations. He was equally effective everywhere and there is a lot of possibility as to how he could be used at the next level.
LB5 Tamden Webb-Tate Tamden Webb-Tate 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Ankeny | 2022 State IA , 6’2 220, Ankeny, hudl, Twitter
Webb-Tate has elected to continue his athletic career on the baseball diamond, but he could have just as likely elected to keep it going on the gridiron. He ascends to the number 5 spot in the updated Linebacker rankings after leading the star-studded Ankeny defense in tackles with 69.5. The outstanding inside gap blitzer even added 5 sacks as part of a front seven that terrorized Quarterbacks this fall. What impresses right away is how fast he is for his size. Webb-Tate got depth in a hurry when dropping to a zone, flew out of the box when plays stretched, and burst into windows when opponents tried to get north-south. One of the biggest hits of the year came against Lincoln on Inside zone; he met the ball carrier right at the line in the A gap, both had a full head of steam, and Webb-Tate absolutely folded him.
LB7 Dawson Ripperda Dawson Ripperda 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB West Lyon | 2022 State IA , 6’3 195, West Lyon, hudl, Twitter
Ripperda is headed to NIU in the fall and it is easy to see why the Huskies are so high on him. He slides up to number 6 in the position rankings after a season that showcased a ton of ability that led to 85 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Ripperda has the frame and athletic tool box to play inside, outside, or on the edge. The first team all-state Linebacker has insane closing speed from anywhere on the field. There is one clip on his highlights where he lines up over the Center with heels at 5 yards, diagnoses right away and pierces through the line of scrimmage, and demolishes the Running Back as he takes the handoff. There is another of him lining up with his hand in the dirt as a 5 technique, gets off the ball so fast the Offensive Tackle’s head spins, and runs right over the pass protecting back for a sack. He’ll be putting the MAC on notice.
LB9 Andrew Reed Andrew Reed 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , 5’11 180, Southeast Polk, hudl, Twitter
Reed will be headed south next year to take his athletic talents to the mat and wrestle for Newberry College. He is another exceptional Linebacker who could have just as easily stuck to the gridiron at a high level. Reed was inescapable at the center of the state champion Rams’ defense leading the team with 78.5 tackles, 67 of which were solo, which is an extremely impressive statistic. Reed’s abilities were on display on the biggest stage against Ankeny in the finals. The Hawks appeared to want to spread the Rams out, force a light box, and run Power. He shut that down early to force his opponents to adjust and ultimately held them under 100 rushing yards in the contest. Whether in the middle or offset to the strength of an offensive formation, Reed was an expert at defeating blocks to get to the ball.
LB15 Blake Bellamy Blake Bellamy 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Winterset | 2022 State IA , 6’1 190, Winterset, hudl, Twitter
Bellamy, the Winterset and class 4A leading tackler, moves up to number 15 in a crop of Linebackers that is very heavy at the top. He may be a little undersized, but he is quite talented and checks every box of what is expected of an Outside Linebacker. Bellamy can squeeze an edge, fold back into the box, force plays to stretch, blitz, and rush the passer. One thing Bellamy does very well that shows up regularly on film is how he can bend and get perfectly flat to chase when action goes away. He can get to a lot of plays most Outside Linebackers can’t when plays stretch opposite of his alignment. Another thing that shows up often in his highlights is how well he can cross the face of blockers who are trying to keep him from getting back into the box and away from the ball on inside runs. Bellamy deserves to get college looks.