Unranked Series: Linebackers

The unranked series continues with linebackers, and we get a further look at the depth of talent in the state of Kansas, as this position has the second most players (36) in the positional breakdowns of our ranking. These are not only four tremendous prospects, but they each bring a different skillset to the table. <strong>Matthew Castejon – Olathe North High School, 6’0 175</strong> Matthew Castejon is a quick and highly savvy linebacker prospect with the skill set to contribute to every phase of the game. His instincts and football IQ jump off the screen when you flip the film on. False steps and wasted motion in run defense are very scarce, and he does an excellent job timing his triggers, while remaining patient and maintaining gap integrity when required. This helped mitigate his relative lack of core strength for the position, as he was often able to quickly diagnose and beat blockers to their landmarks. As he continues to develop physically, he will need to become more adept at taking on offensive linemen, but with added strength coupled with his quick/coordinated feet, he should be able to improve this aspect of his game. Castejon also shows a very good downhill burst, allowing him to erase angles on zone plays when he stays clean. He possesses excellent lower body flexibility, dropping his pads effortlessly to break down in the open field, which is followed by good tackling fundamentals. Castejon is an all-around player, showing very good fluidity in coverage, and thanks to his burst and timing, there is some untapped pass rush potential, especially blitzing the A and B gaps. <strong>Jason Jurmann – DeSoto High School, 6’3 205</strong> Jason Jurmann is a linebacker prospect that obliterates the eyeball test with a frame that would not look out of place among 5-year college seniors. He is at the same time impressively nimble on his feet, breaking down and effortlessly controlling his momentum, with a mesmerizingly quick shuffle he can get into in a blink. Jurmann also has excellent eye discipline and does a good job staying patient while tracking the ball, as well as decisive and confident diagnostics with no false steps. Jurmann is a twitched up athlete, with excellent short area burst, and a violent close when he meets the ball carrier. He has a powerful core and lower body, flashing effortless contact absorption. He additionally flashes legitimate speed to power when taking on blockers in the run game, which brings to light substantial untapped potential as a pass rusher. While his speed tops out quickly, his burst is twitchy enough to threaten ball carrier angles on outside zones. As his upper body strength develops, he has the chance to be an excellent Will linebacker in a hybrid 3-down scheme in the vein of what Baltimore and New England have traditionally run. At this time next year, Jason Jurmann may very well be a D1 signee. <strong>Brandon Roupsouay – Olathe West High School, 5’8 170</strong> Brandon Roupsouay is one of the more unique players I have watched, with the things he can do at his size being nothing short of remarkable. Roupsouay is a ferocious run defender, fearlessly launching himself into blockers, with the natural leverage and explosion to jar linemen that outweigh him by a good 100 or so pounds. This is not to say Rouspouay is out there kamikazeing around the football field with no control, as he does an excellent job keeping his play side shoulder free and playing ‘through the blocker’ to make a tackle. This makes him a reliable edge defender from the overhang nickel position, where he does a good job stringing out plays and creating unfavorable angles for ball carriers. Remaining on the theme of disciplined and savvy defending, Roupsouay shows excellent eye discipline versus option plays, allowing the play to develop, with the natural instincts to track the ball and not bite on play fakes. Roupsouay is also highly adept at playing in traffic, using his lateral twitch and tirelessly quick feet to pinball between offensive linemen without giving them a glimpse of a clean target. Brandon Roupsouay is undoubtedly an unconventional prospect for the next level, but he is pound for pound one of the best run defenders I have watched so far, and a creative defensive mind could use him in a variety of ways from the overhang nickel position to devastating effect. Do not sleep on this kid. <strong>Demazio Sandoval – Wichita Northwest, 6’2 215</strong> Demazio Sandoval is an aggressive, physical linebacker prospect that looks like a grown man in pads and plays the game that way. His upper body strength and balance jump off the screen routinely when you flip the film on. There is some violence in the way he sheds blocks, as he swipes aside opposing linemen with authority and without giving up ground, while retaining favorable body position to make the tackle. Additionally, Sandoval’s frame and core are developed beyond his years. This is evident in his ability to absorb contact from offensive linemen without giving up any ground. He is a very effective edge defender against the run, as he can violently rip down ball carriers as soon as he can get his hands on them and possesses sneaky agility that allows him to do so when the runner is away from his frame. If he can continue to improve his footwork, he could also find a home at the Mike position somewhere down the line, as he possesses the prototypical power, balance and attitude for that position.