2023 Class: Linebacker Superlatives

There is an abundance of highly talented players in the class.  The next group in the class includes players who are super-athletic, dominant in their skillset, possess speed, agility, quickness, and are technique-sound.  The players listed possess a combination of linebacker superlatives. <strong>Most Dominant - [player_tooltip player_id="44977" first="Ben" last="Cutter"], 6’1" 220, East Lincoln HS</strong>.  Ben displayed speed and power on blitzes, quickly moving into the backfield often unblocked.  He runs well in the open field, closing quickly on the ball carrier for the stop.  He displayed very good technique on physical solo tackles in the open field.  Ben finished the season with 158 total tackles, 37 were solo tackles, and 15 tackles for losses.  He had an average of 13.2 tackles per game.  Ben was the most dominant player on the defensive unit.  He is expected to continue his dominant-style of play during the upcoming season. <strong>Top Middle Linebacker - [player_tooltip player_id="50907" first="AJ" last="Richardson"], 6’0" 230, Kings Mountain HS</strong>.  He sets up quickly and reacts to the play to make the stop.  AJ uses his quickness and upper body strength to control blockers and make stops in the backfield.  He displayed good lateral movement and technique on tackles made in the open field.  AJ finished the season with 66 total tackles and 17 tackles for losses.  He was the most dominant player on the defensive unit.  AJ is expected to continue his dominant-style of play during the upcoming season. <strong>Top Outside Linebacker - [player_tooltip player_id="45008" first="Stephan" last="Zayachkowsky"], 5’10" 200, Porter Ridge HS</strong>.  He displayed patience and let the play develop.  Stephan quickly reacts and closes in on the ball carrier for the stop.  He displayed bursts of speed in the open field to overtake the ball carrier for the stop.  Stephan displayed good lateral movement and technique on physical solo tackles made in the open field.  He finished the season with 90 total tackles, 59 were solo tackles, and 6 tackles for losses.  He is the dominant player on the defensive unit.  Stephan is expected to continue his high level of play during the upcoming season. <strong>Run-Stopper - [player_tooltip player_id="307823" first="Michael" last="Short"], 6’3" 220, Mallard Creek HS</strong>.  He sets up quickly and reacts to the play, covering a lot of ground to stop the play.  Michael displayed good lateral movement and technique on solo tackles with complete wrap up.  He finished the season with 93 total tackles and 21 tackles for losses.  He utilizes his quickness to move past blockers into the backfield often unblocked.  Michael is the dominant player on the defensive unit.  He is expected to continue his high level of play during the upcoming season. <strong>Bright Upside - [player_tooltip player_id="293262" first="Aaron" last="Foster"], 5’10" 210, Clayton HS</strong>.  He runs well in the open field, closing quickly in on the ball carrier for the stop.  Aaron displayed good technique on solo tackles made in the open field.   He utilized his quickness to move past blockers into the backfield for stops.  He is expected to continue to train during the off-season to improve his skillset.  Aaron participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest.