Top 5 LBs of Southern WI

The pinnacle of defensive monsters resides in the LB group of southern WI. This group is absolutely loaded. There are FBS and FCS offers every member of the Top 5 and multiple of the Honorable Mentions in this article. This has been the toughest Top 5 for me to put into order. The talent across all the graduating classes is unbelievable. We are going to be watching many of theses dudes on Saturdays for years to come. Until then, I’m hyped that we get to see them on Fridays this fall. Let’s check out this special group of LBs! 1. [player_tooltip player_id="250561" first="Brent" last="Hoppe"], ’23- Turner (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12908942/616b3062e97aa4039c043b2a">Brent’s Junior Highlights</a>) Brent is having a great offseason! He was sick late this winter leading to a big weight drop, but he has built his way back up to 233 lbs. That on too of his 6’4" frame makes him a formidable edge/DE presence. Hoppe not only is our #1 LB of southern WI, but also the #1 defender in WI currently. He is the most disruptive player in the state withe his 42 TFLs, and 14 sacks. His firs step quickness is his bread and butter that gets him the proper position against linemen. Brent holds offers from Navy, Ohio University, North Dakota State, Air Force, Illinois State, Miami (OH), Wyoming, Army, South Dakota, and Central Michigan. More to come! 2. [player_tooltip player_id="206639" first="Blake" last="Fletcher"], ’23- Racine Horlick (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12344653/6073c4cb420771195cef9148">Blake’s Junior Highlights</a>) Blake is going to go crazy this year. He missed a large chunk of 2021 ith an injury, but that hasn’t slowed down the offers and interest from the next level. The big man is as rangy as they come at the high school level. He easily flows sideline to sideline as he pursues with the speed to make plays at the line anywhere along the line of scrimmage. His read and recognition are so fast as he processes what he sees, and gets himself into position on a snap to snap basis. Blake holds offers from St. Thomas, Lehigh, Air Force, Army, Columbia, and Northern Iowa. If not his camp season, then his senior campaign is sure to continue to bring in the FBS offers. Keep an eye on this one! 3. [player_tooltip player_id="31412" first="Keith" last="Williams"], ’23- Catholic Memorial Keith is a beast of an OLB for Catholic Memorial. He stands at 6’1" 220 lbs, runs 4.65 in the 40, and has a 6.64 60. He also has D1 strength at the point of attack. So much so that even though he doesn’t have elite length CM has used him with his hand in the dirt at times where he has proven he can set the edge against the run game as he stonewalls TEs and OTs. When out in space, Keith has all the burst and range that you want to see as he flies off the edge to stop run plays or pressure QBs in the backfield. Despite some high level offers it seems like Keith is a little under the radar. Look for him to take another step as he will be needed to step up even more for Catholic Memorial this fall. He currently holds offers from Boston College and Stetson College. Check this kid out. He is a special talent. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM-4I4ARjEM&ab_channel=MidwestSportsFilm[/embed] 4. [player_tooltip player_id="267046" first="Sam" last="Pilof"], ’24- Middleton (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15929372/619bf4dc041d7804e0c91a50">Sam’s Sophomore Highlights</a>) This is one of my favorites. Sam has inside-outside versatility that few high school athletes can match. He plays with elite range and speed timing in the 4.5 40 time range. That speed pairs with elite strength, and comes in a 6’4" 210 lbs frame. The star defender has also grabbed a couple FBS offers early as Iowa State and Rutgers have made offers. Sam is a playmaker in every situation he is put in. He has consistently won as an edge rusher getting after the QB, stuffing the inside run, and spying the QB to name a few situations because of his ability to quickly process what he reads and turns it into action. The Class of 2024 is shaping into an elite one, and Sam is the premier LB of the group. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="130062" first="Mason" last="Armstrong"], ’23- Verona (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12980167/618c8ee2478cb7055c699a85">Mason’s Junior Highlights</a>) Rounding out our Top 5 was not an easy task. It was a tough choice for who to name #5, but in the end it had to go to the Verona Area standout LB. Mason is a compact, powerful 6’ 215 lbs playmaker who roams the middle of the defense. As a blitzer, Mason demonstrates great timing and burst to be able to shoot through gaps. His body control impresses as well as he is able to fly through at top speed, but not overshoot his target. When he isn’t blitzing Mason flows so well making it very hard for linemen to block him. The Conference ILB of the Year holds offers from St. Thomas and Bemidji State. More are sure to come because Mason is going to own the middle of the field for a very talented Verona defense, and overall team. The numbers, and tape are going to be impressive. Make sure this kid is on your recruiting boards. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="31388" first="Drew" last="Wilson"], ’23- Homestead: Offers from Bemidji State, and Duluth, 1st Team All Conference, All Region MLB, 2021 State Runner Up [player_tooltip player_id="304432" first="Hunter" last="Isaacson"], ’23- Wisconsin Dells: 6’1" 215 lbs, 105 Tackles, 17 TFLs, 6 Sacks, 1 INT, 1 Pick Six [player_tooltip player_id="272320" first="Talan" last="Summers"], ’24- Franklin: 6’2" 210 lbs, 3 Sport Athlete (Football, Wrestling, Lacrosse), 2021 D1 State Champion [player_tooltip player_id="104995" first="Drew" last="Braam"], ’24- Oak Creek: 6’2" 210 lbs, Football/Basketball, Team Leader in Tackles [player_tooltip player_id="268964" first="Jonathan" last="Ksobiech"], ’24- Kettle Moraine: 6’1" 205 lbs, LB/S/Nickel hybrid, 60 Tackles, 11 TFLs, 5 Sacks, 1 INT [player_tooltip player_id="202696" first="Carter" last="Christy"], ’24- Wisconsin Rapids: 6’ 200 lbs, Weight Room Beast (330 lbs Bench, 475 lbs Squat, 225 lbs X 3 Power Clean) [player_tooltip player_id="262063" first="Cooper" last="Catalano"], ’25- Germantown: 6’1" 190 lbs, 120 Tackles, 11 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles