Top 5 LBs of Northern WI

We are back to continue our look at the Top 5 players at each position in northern and southern WI! Today, wea re looking at the defensive side of the ball. Off-ball LBs and edge rushers are up next as we dive into the LB position. Just like with every other position. The line that divides the state will be Hwy 10. The LB position is one of the deepest positions in WI this year, and many of the 2023s have been earning D1 offers here in the late spring/early summer. Let’s get it started with the monsters in the middle of the defenses up north! <strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id="104359" first="Zander" last="Rockow"], ’23- Eau Claire Regis (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12894067/61329acc4dec8408d0920a8d">Zander’s Junior Highlights</a>)</strong> The 6’ 227 lbs RB/LB out of Regis has been a constant at the top of his Class rankings since our debut back in 2020. He is such a special athletic talent. His blend of size, strength, and speed are rare, and it has led to him earning multiple FBS PWOs to along with scholarship offers from Illinois State, Valpo, and Northern Illinois. He has recently jumped on a PWO from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers have been great at coming into WI and stealing the top athletic profiles through offers and PWOs. Rockow is the next one up on that impressive list. The small school prospect is going to put on a show his final season for Regis with his two way impact. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a crazy stat line such as 100 tackles, and 1,000++ rushing yards. The kid is that special. <strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id="104563" first="Ethan" last="Doucette"], ’23- Kimberly (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12928351/62749692ab93a702a0027ed8">Ethan’s Junior Highlights</a>)</strong> One of the top off ball LBs in the Class of 2023 is up next for the Northern WI LBs. The 6’1" 222 lbs LB has one of the most well rounded games on tape. He is a true example of what a three down LB looks like. He is a thumper against the run game where he is stout and able to shed blocks of OL. He can shoot through gaps with timing and burst. His ability to read the flow and blocking scheme of plays allows him to always be in position to make the stop for little to no gain. He ensures his three down versatility by switching from that stout, downhill defender to a rangy, LB with the awareness to be able to read the QB and jump routes. I’m excited to see his play take the next step after an elite offseason in the weight room The stud LB currently holds offers from Bemidji State (D2), and St. Thomas (FCS D1). <strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id="304364" first="Josiah" last="Azure"], ’23- Bay Port (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15776938/6189cc3fb5347c07e4b05c25">Josiah’s Junior Highlights</a>)</strong> One of the hottest LBs on the recruiting trail is the Bay Port product. The 6’2" 225 lbs 1st Team All State OLB holds offers from Northern Illinois, Navy, and North Dakota State. NIU offer came after the staff got a close up look at his talents at their camp. No doubt they fell in love with his initial burst, and ability to bend underneath OTs as he takes the quickest, shortest routes possible to the QB. Azure is a menace for offenses as he consistently wrecked havoc in the backfield in 2021 between his 5 sacks, and 19 TFLs. His ability to flip to a stout run defender as he sets the edge against pulling blockers, disengages, and makes the tackle at the line is next level ready. I’m expecting more D1 offers to follow throughout the month, and as he dominates this fall. <strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="31384" first="David" last="Gauderman"], ’23- Wittenberg- Birnamwood (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12829648/61bf7b153df51b0b8877620d">David’s Junior Highlights</a>)</strong> David is shaping into the steal of the LB class for the Class of 2023. He is 6’2" 227 lbs and possesses some of the best burst in the state. He has a 1.54 10 yard split, and plenty of examples o n film showing it off. The crazy part of his film is that the majority of his season was played on a broken foot. That didn’t stop him from being the best player on the field most if not all their games as a junior. The first play of his highlights is one of the hardest hits from the 2021 season. His ability to transition speed to power led to several big hits, and the ability to bull rush. He is also one of the slipperiest LBs based on his tape. Over and over he slips through untouched or makes linemen whiff on their block attempts. No offers from what I can see. That can’t be true for much longer. This kid is must know! <strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id="104436" first="Reese" last="Thompson"], ’23- Hudson (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14625727/6175c3ffab925806e001ec54">Reese’s Junior Highlights</a>)</strong> I think we haven’t seen anything, yet when it comes tot he Hudson LB. He has put on 20 lbs this offseason, and that is only going to further emphasize his strengths. Strength being that strength. Reese is an absolute jack hammer who is one of the hardest, most sure tackling LBs in the state. He has outside-inside versatility, but projects best as an ILB at the next level where he can play downhill as a run stuffer, and blitzer. His timing, and situational awareness has led to him making some eye popping, clutch plays in short yardage situations. Every tackle, Reese makes sure he is the hammer, and not the nail. Of all the kids on this list, I think Reese would be my choice of who I would want to get hit by the least. Kids gotta still feel him the next morning after playing him. I believe he is still looking for his first offer. Don’t miss out on this one, coaches. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="217537" first="Taylor" last="Schaefer"], 23- Southern Door:</strong><em> Packerland Defensive Player of the Year, 6’6" Wingspan, Offer from Northern State</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="305307" first="Brennan" last="Kincade"], ’23- De Pere: </strong><em>2021 2nd Team All Conference Football, 1st Team All Conference Wrestling, Offer From UW- Eau Claire</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300146" first="Darius" last="Jones"], ’23- Neenah:</strong><em> 6’1" 220 lbs, 45 Tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 Sacks</em> <strong>Landon Gauthier, ’24- Bay Port: </strong><em>All Conference Honorable Mention, 6’4" 220 lbs, 52 Tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 3 PBUs</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="268951" first="Miles" last="Sillas"], ’24- Hortonville: </strong><em>6’4" 220 lbs, Football &amp; Basketball, 85 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sack, 2 INTs</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104996" first="Chase" last="Sturm"], ’24- Stanley- Boyd: </strong><em>6’ 205 lbs, 38.5: Vert, 4.63 40 Time, 10’4" Broad, 3.8 GPA</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154514" first="Caymen" last="Gebheim"], ’24- Somerset:</strong><em> 6’2" 210 lbs, Football/Basketball/Track, 34" Vert, 4.8 40 Time, 4.0 GPA</em>