2023 LB Sleepers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today’s focus shifts to the defensive side of the football, and we’ll be looking at Ohio’s top senior linebacker sleepers. As a whole, this group is quite underrecruited, and they have yet to see an assortment of scholarship offers come in. Fear not, though; with the 2022 season rapidly approaching, these young men have yet another chance to catch college coaches’ eyes. Based on what they showed on tape as juniors, I think that’s quite likely to happen. With that being said, here’s who you need to know!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Beau Gromley, 6’1" 220, Tallmadge</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>A hard-nosed kid that loves contact.</li><li>Fights to get in on every tackle attempt.</li><li>Reads &amp; reacts well to opposing pullers.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Chris Karr, 6’1" 195, Reynoldsburg</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Toughness and athleticism bode well together.</li><li>Has the hips of a defensive back.</li><li>Proven that he can hold up just fine as an in-box tackler. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Christian Commisso, 6’2" 225, Defiance</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>A true downhill mike linebacker prospect.</li><li>Mauls backs in pass protection on his way to the quarterback.</li><li>Has the size and versatility to put his hand in the dirt and play as a true five-technique in a four-down scheme. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id=’380257’ first=’Lanny’ last=’Ash’] Jr., 6’2" 210, Hamilton</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Motor never stops running.</li><li>Physical at the point of attack.</li><li>A well-disciplined tackler that fights to stay square at any cost.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id=’284444’ first=’Buba’ last=’Bangura’], 6’2" 205, Westerville Central</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Easily runs with tight ends and slot receivers in man coverage.</li><li>Outstanding closing speed once he gets a target in his sights.</li><li>Is the hammer not the nail when engaging on blocks. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Zander Hopkins, 6’1" 215, Tallmadge</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>A violent striker.</li><li>Speed and hustle make up for others’ mistakes.</li><li>Accelerates through tackle attempts causing destructive collisions. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Elijah Burns, 5’11" 200, Lutheran West</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Has an instinctive style of play that always brings him around the football.</li><li>An explosive blitzer that is often left untouched.</li><li>Lateral agility is off the charts.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Sayed Abuhamdeh, 6’2" 200, North Royalton</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Impressive top-end speed, clocking a 4.59 40-yard dash time.</li><li>Noticeable sideline to sideline range.</li><li>A punishing tackler that makes ball carriers feel his presence.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Elijah Carter, 6’ 210, Pickerington Central</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>A patient inside backer that consistently reads his keys and takes great angles to the football.</li><li>Sees the ball thrown and has the body control to make tackles in space.</li><li>Speeds his feet on impact.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Elisha Baldridge, 6’4" 225, West Ho</em></strong><em><strong>lmes</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Sifts well down the line backside taking quality pursuit angles to the football.</li><li>Size gives high school offensive linemen problems at the second level.</li><li>Looks to take on blocks head-on with brute strength.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->