On The Board: 2022 Northern California Linebackers

Paul Gregorian March 25, 2022 @ 01:43 PM

With most of the regions top players either signing to their respective schools or taking PWO spots, there are still plenty of top tier players from across the region that remain unsigned at this point in the Spring. Below we will breakdown some of these players at the linebacker position within the 2022 class. <hr />   Bryce Pazdel, Vacaville Christian HS Pazdel is a very physical and tough player that will find his home at inside linebacker in college. A very smart kid, he reads plays quickly and fills through his target while a very strong tackler in the box with a natural nose for the ball and the ability to get off blocks quickly. In coverage, he can cover if needed and has good ball skills for his size while also a short yardage runner on offense. A multi-year starter for a top small school team across the region, there are plenty of college teams that can benefit from his play-style and high football IQ.   Josh Tremain, Folsom HS Tremain is no doubt one of the best linebackers in the entire state and had outstanding Junior and Senior seasons for one of the best teams in the state. A 100+ tackle a year kid, he is very athletic for his size and flies around outside the tackles and packs a punch in the box when filling gaps. A very strong tackler, he plays with a good pad level, heavy hands against bigger blockers and has good closing speed and can also run in the open field while performing will timed pressures from various angles.   [player_tooltip player_id="187287" first="Andrew" last="Stewart"], Serra HS Stewart is a hybrid safety/outside linebacker and his tape shows him being comfortable in space with fluid hips and good ball skills in zone coverage with return ability when carrying the ball. When applying pressure, he has good bend off the edge and a quick use of hands against tackles and running backs in pass protection while triggering quickly in space and a very sound open field tackler who takes good angles. His versatility and fluidity in space while also having very nice size for the position makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level and he fits the mold of new age linebackers.   Jeremiah Shelton, Central-Fresno HS During his high school career, Shelton has played all over the field for one of the top teams in the state. Playing both inside linebacker, outside linebacker and defensive end, he is a powerful player that wins with violence at the POA and has plus athleticism, especially for his size. Off the ball, he is very explosive and has a range of pass rush moves at his disposal while collapsing the pocket quickly and understndaaindg when to counter and read blockers. Shelton should find his home at defensive end in college but in the right system, has the size and strength to be a stand up player if needed.   Other Available Linebackers... Bruce Uperesa, Sacred Heart Cathedral HS Kai Green, Pittsburg HS [player_tooltip player_id="187281" first="Janari" last="Boone"], Benicia HS Lucas Wolfe, Folsom HS Ryan Mahe, Serra HS Jaylen McGary, Castlemont HS