2023 Rankings Risers: LB
In-depth analysis of the 2023 LB prospects rising up the PRZ Rankings. Blake Nichelson CA #12 LB #1 HEIGHT 6'3" WEIGHT 200 POS LB CLASS 2023 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Blake Nichelson Class 2023 Position LB Height…
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Continue ReadingIn-depth analysis of the 2023 LB prospects rising up the PRZ Rankings.
Over the past year Nichelson has established himself as one of the premier LB prospects in the country collecting 19 offers from top programs such as Florida State, Oregon, USC, and Wisconsin. At 6’3” 200 lbs. he’s got a good frame with room to grow as he develops. He’s a savvy athlete with great natural movement skills in pursuit. He’s rangy flashing the short area speed and lateral agility to play sideline to sideline and close space in pursuit. Possesses a quick trigger with excellent anticipation to disrupt plays as they are developing at or behind the LOS. He’s a pure competitor that is always attacking and playing full speed. Has taken official visits to Oregon and Florida State but remains one of the top uncommitted 2023 prospects in the state.
Highlights
Chisom’s recruiting stock has skyrocketed this offseason adding 12 new offers including seven from PAC12 programs. His skillset checks a lot of boxes as a high level college LB with his violent playing style and ability to play in space. At 6’1” 220 lbs. he possesses a strong frame with a powerful lower half that allows him to drive and explode through contact at the POA. He’s a plus athlete that runs well showing good burst to close at the LOS and in space. Excellent technique and hand usage, they’re quick and he does a great job using them to keep blockers away from his body. Flashes a wide skillset and great versatility to be an effective edge rusher or blitzer up the middle. Dropped his top five in June that include Cal, Oregon State, USC, Fresno State, and Utah.
Staples has an excellent compounding skillset and collegiate upside with his combination of length, athleticism, and versatility. At 6’3” 220 lbs. he’s got great growth potential in his frame and effectively plays the hybrid edge rusher and OLB role at Oakland Tech. He’s a natural athlete flashing good speed to chase and change of direction to redirect and pursue the ball. Love the body control and coordination he shows to execute different moves including swim, spin, dip, and long arm techniques. His initial quickness and speed off the LOS makes him an extremely tough block as an edge rusher. Has collected seven D1 offers this spring but still has a ton of room for growth and raw ability that will translate well to the power 5 level. Also a high academic prospect with a 3.9 GPA.
Highlights
Erhart a pure instinctual LB with a well built frame at 6’1” 215 lbs. He’s active, quick reacting, and has a great nose for the football to always be in a position to make a play. Shows good eye discipline to anticipate and quickly diagnose plays as they develop. Good ability to use his hands and disengage from blockers. Strong at the POA using good leverage and pad level, he’s an aggressive tackler that explodes on contact and delivers heavy strikes. He’s a high energy competitor that is relentless in pursuit and play the whole field. As a junior, he recorded 141 tackles with 94 solo and 12 TFL’s. Recruitment is building and currently holds four offers from Air Force, Army, Brown, and most recently Campbell.
Afato is a fast acting and aggressive LB at 6’0” 200 lbs. He’s a plus athlete that runs well, can play in space, and has a versatile skillset to play multiple positions. On defense, he plays downhill and attacking. He shows good reactionary quickness with efficient movement seeing angles to accelerate out of his break and close the gap on the ball carrier. Does a good job slipping blocks and avoiding contact to free himself up to make a tackle. Like his natural movement skills shows he can bend, work laterally down the LOS, and redirect in response to his reads. He plays heavy handed and shows good contact balance to finish through the POA. Has picked up two FCS offers from UC Davis and Cal Poly but is a natural football player that has good potential to add more as a senior.