Prospect Tour Top Performers: LBs and DL

<img class=" wp-image-325052 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/66-Ethan-Bird-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="223" height="223" />With the Prep Redzone Colorado Prospect Tour being two weeks in the past, it is time to wrap up the event’s coverage by looking at the top-performing linebackers and defensive linemen. The majority of the players in attendance were Colorado athletes, but a few made the trip from different states. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/04/gamechangers-mvps-from-the-colorado-prospect-tour/">MVPs</a> were named for each position group at the end of the event. Columbine’s Payton Wainwright (2023) won the MVP award for the linebackers, while [player_tooltip player_id="209842" first="Ethan" last="Bird"] (2023) from Littleton earned the award for the defensive linemen. There was only one MVP per group, but that does not mean there was a shortage of talented athletes at the event. This article will list ten top-performing linebackers and defensive linemen while looking closely at six players.   <img class=" wp-image-329897 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/88-Zach-Lewis-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="223" height="223" />[player_tooltip player_id="150076" first="Zach" last="Lewis"] | Fairview | 2023 LB 40-yard dash - 4.62s Lewis was a last-minute attendee, but he was an immediate standout. He has a solid frame with great size and explosiveness. His ability to close the distance between himself and the ballcarrier with lightning speed is phenomenal. Add his excellent use of leverage to his skillset, and he is easily one of the best players on the field. Lewis is one of the top linebackers in the state and is on the verge of becoming a breakout.   <img class=" wp-image-324284 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/37-Owen-Miranowski.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="149" />[player_tooltip player_id="277536" first="Owen" last="Miranowski"] | Palmer Ridge | 2023 OLB 40-yard dash - 4.97s | Shuttle - 4.37s | L-Drill - 7.31s | Broad Jump - 8’9” Miranowski is a talented player who has been popping up on the radar quite a bit. During the combine, he had a great showing, which effortlessly carried over into the drills. He is twitchy when coming off of the edge and has excellent acceleration with good bursts of speed. Miranowski is a solid athlete who plays with a good set of skills, making him a player worth knowing. [embed]https://twitter.com/OMiranowski/status/1515736760092794881?s=20&t=hRz52xN66FqkaDaxdg6cww[/embed]   <img class=" wp-image-324265 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/55-Kian-Baxley-300x198.jpg" alt="" width="223" height="147" />Kian Baxley | University | 2023 OLB 40-yard dash - 4.59s | Shuttle - 4.65s | L-Drill - 7.88s | Broad Jump - 9’3” Baxley is a radar pop-up who caught the coaches’ attention during the combine. Out of all the linebackers, he recorded the farthest broad jump and the second-fastest 40-yard dash time. He showed great athleticism and versatility by making plays as a pass rusher and defender in coverage. Kian Baxley proved himself to be a potential sleeper during the event.   <img class=" wp-image-324258 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/62-Aidan-Trujillo.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="149" />Aidan Trujillo | Valley | 2023 DL 40-yard dash - 5.25s | Shuttle - 4.75s | L-Drill - 8.12s | Broad Jump - 8’1” Trujillo had an impressive showing at the event, especially during the one-on-one portion of the day. He is a high-motor player who gives relentless effort on every rep. His size and speed make him a viable option to plug into the linebacker position. Trujillo is a small school radar pop-up with big potential; do not overlook him. [embed]https://twitter.com/boohighlights/status/1519180692374102016?s=20&t=hRz52xN66FqkaDaxdg6cww[/embed]   <img class=" wp-image-324283 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/38-Giovani-Cardona.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="149" />Giovani Cardona | Northglenn | 2023 DL 40-yard dash - 5.25s | Shuttle - 5.18s | L-Drill - 8.31s | Broad Jump - 7’6” Cardona is a low-flyer on the radar who put on a standout performance during the position drills and live competition part of the day. He brings good strength, explosive acceleration, and disruptive speed to the defensive line, especially when rushing from the edge. He showed his fast hands and impressive rush techniques that helped him get past his opponents. Cardona’s performance at the event made him a player worth keeping an eye on. [embed]https://twitter.com/GioCardona55/status/1515498440146382853?s=20&t=azlmTnk4ajskJET5J0s4UA[/embed]   <img class=" wp-image-324272 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/48-Keaton-Reiman.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="149" />Keaton Reiman | Lutheran | 2024 DL 40-yard dash - 4.59s | Shuttle - 4.56s | L-Drill - 7.81s | Broad Jump - 8’6” Reiman put on an excellent performance during the combine. He clocked the fastest L-Drill time for the defensive line group while finishing second among the group in every other drill. He has good size and excellent athleticism that he uses to bring speed and versatility to the defensive front. Reiman’s performance at the event was a very impressive introduction that landed him on the prospect radar.   Other standout players to know <img class=" wp-image-329903 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/39-Jake-Stonebraker-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="223" height="223" />[player_tooltip player_id="143646" first="Jake" last="Stonebraker"] | Douglas County | 2024 LB 40-yard dash - 4.7s | Shuttle - 4.35s | L-Drill - 7.63s | Broad Jump - 8’10” [player_tooltip player_id="256288" first="Isaac" last="Engle"] | Highlands Ranch | 2023 LB 40-yard dash - 4.72s | Shuttle - 4.47s | L-Drill - 7.44s | Broad Jump - 9’ Alexander Gillispie | Pueblo County | 2024 DL 40-yard dash - 5.44s | Shuttle - 5.13s | L-Drill - 8s | Broad Jump - 6’11” William Pryor | Rocky Mountain | 2023 DL 40-yard dash - 5.4s | Shuttle - 5s | L-Drill - 8.28s | Broad Jump - 7’9”