Huntley’s Linebacker Film Room: Episode 1

<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="326566" first="Jayven" last="Simbe"], Servite</strong> Simbe is a versatile defensive player who can cover guys in the slot and come up and play in the box against certain personnel packages. He is unselfish when coming up the field to stop the run and keeps his outside containment even if it means him not making the tackle. He’s better in zone coverage than in man coverage and he takes good pursuit angles. He has the frame to add some muscle without losing his athleticism and he’s been on the junior day circuit. https://twitter.com/ServiteFootball/status/1431117532337885184?s=20&amp;t=bw53a7RGmkcHXQfLNS8LRQ <strong>Christian Knoos, Oaks Christian</strong> Knoos was a MaxPreps Freshman All-American last season and in my opinion is a top five linebacker in his class. He is versatile and can line up at inside or outside linebacker. I like him better as an inside backer where he gets into the backfield quickly. I like how he always attacks the outside shoulder of the ball carrier so that if the carrier somehow breaks free, he has help on the inside. You can tell he watches a ton of film and reads his guards well. He has a great foundation and will only improve on his lateral speed and size. https://twitter.com/christianknoos/status/1480251858937470977?s=20&amp;t=bw53a7RGmkcHXQfLNS8LRQ <strong>Vinny Macaluso, Upland</strong> Macaluso is an inside linebacker with the speed of a safety. He has good lateral speed and is a solid tackler. He gets into the backfield quickly and knows how to get skinny and evade guards trying to block him in pass protection. He relies on his speed to get into the backfield and I’d like to see him improve on using his hands to get past offensive linemen but he still gets the job done. He has good instincts when dropping into pass coverage. He is very responsible while defending the run and takes care of his gaps and takes away cutback lanes. Nevada has offered him and it’s easy to see why they like him. He is a solid frame, payed well against quality competition and has the tools of a college linebacker. https://twitter.com/vinnymaca1uso/status/1512798105334272001?s=20&amp;t=bw53a7RGmkcHXQfLNS8LRQ <strong>Diego Meza, Western</strong> Meza is a hard-hitter and sure tackler who you can tell puts time in the film room. He does a good job reading his guards instead of having his eyes on the backfield. His film study shows up on film because he flies up the field on running downs and knows his opponent’s tendencies. He has solid speed and moves well laterally. Western players are challenging to evaluate because they play far inferior opponents during league play. He can add some muscle, which he is working on, and I’d like to see more tape of him in pass coverage, but he is a very good high school linebacker who could be among the county leaders in tackles next season. https://twitter.com/diegomeza05/status/1506532513660891136?s=20&amp;t=bw53a7RGmkcHXQfLNS8LRQ <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="294308" first="Caden" last="Arellano"], Damien</strong> Arellano is on the smaller side for an inside linebacker, but he leverages his weight well and drives his feet through contact. He has great instincts for someone a freshman at the varsity level and without knowing him, I would assume he has played a lot of football as a youth. He reads screens perfectly and is too athletic for linemen to block at the next level. He has big legs and a wide frame for his age and as he continues to add muscle and be such a good tackler, he will get some offers by this time next year. Arellano is a wrestler too which is great for teaching guys how to use their hips for leverage and take guys down. https://twitter.com/EAT7on7/status/1502155136071716867?s=20&amp;t=bw53a7RGmkcHXQfLNS8LRQ &nbsp;