The Puget Sound’s Top 2023 LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the modern era of football, many people have discounted the linebacker position as not being as valuable to teambuilding as it once was. Contrary to that reasoning, we see top programs like Alabama and Clemson routinely recruit high-end linebackers to be the leaders of their defense. That's not a coincidence, as linebackers can be just as important to a defense as the quarterback can be to an offense, acting as the field general on each play and forming a cohesive unit. Of course, that is not to say the position has not modernized, as the needs for pass coverage ability and sideline-to-sideline speed have somewhat replaced the desire for huge, pure run-stuffers. Luckily for college coaches, the Puget Sound area is rife with talent at the position that fits the modern game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f6fbc4367fd","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155642"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The highest-rated linebacker in the state, Montgomery already has offers to major Pac-12 and SEC programs and watching his film, it is obvious why. The Garfield product plays with reckless abandon and explosiveness, routinely making plays in the offensive backfield and ensuring opposing running backs have a long day. A big part of that is how fluid he is as an athlete; despite being 6'3u0022, he is able to bend and change directions like a smaller player, which makes him a tough block for opposing offensive linemen. He is able to make plays in space as well, as he is very comfortable moving sideline-to-sideline and making open field tackles even when the angle makes it difficult. Montgomery is the type of do-it-all athlete at the position that coaches love to see in the modern game, and it is no wonder that he is already getting attention from FBS programs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["155560"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Alexander is another senior linebacker that is poised to have a big season in 2022. The Sun Devil commit possesses excellent quickness and twitch, and he moves extremely well both in the box and in open space. Some of his clips lined up on slot receivers could have convinced me that he was a safety with how adept he is with covering guys and tracking the ball. It is rare to find athletes like Alexander who can rush the passer, cover receivers, and line up in the box with equal proficiency, but it is extremely hard to find weaknesses in his game with how well his athletic makeup translates to his on-field production. He is a little slight for the linebacker position, but that is something that college strength coaches will be able to work with him on to get him ready for Saturdays. Arizona State got a fun player in Alexander, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in his final season at the high school level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["333664"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Piper possesses the one skill that every top linebacker absolutely needs to have, and that is physicality. Whether it is a running back coming out of the backfield, a receiver coming across the formation, or a quarterback scrambling for extra yards, Piper ensures that they are still feeling the hit the next morning. He is able to convert his impressive fluidity and explosiveness into being a very sound mover in space and in traffic, which allows him to consistently find the ball carrier and make a play. He is also a very instinctive player, always being around the ball and one of the first to react to where it is going. Piper already has a handful of FBS offers, and with a big senior season, I think there could be more on the way.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["155561"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Sarte has the build of a prototypical linebacker at the college level at a sturdy 6'2u0022 230, and he absolutely looks the part on film. What impressed me most about Sarte is his adaptability and how he was used in numerous different ways for Fife's defense; he could line up off the ball or off the edge and still find his way to the linebacker with impressive efficiency. Sarte has great quickness and agility which allows him to knife through opposing blockers and get to the ball carrier and even make tackles when he is slightly off balance. He keeps a solid pad level throughout the play and looks like a bull seeing red when he has a clear line to the quarterback. Despite being 1st Team All-League as a junior, Sarte is a guy that has not gotten a lot of action on the recruiting trail thus far. With a big senior season, the evaluators at the next level will certainly take notice.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["333695"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The reigning KingCo Defensive MVP, Kruger is an extremely instinctual and physical backer that always finds a way to make a play on the football. While he definitely isn't the biggest guy at his position in the area, Kruger plays with impressive technique and is able to make his presence felt in the box on each and every play. One thing that really impressed me about Kruger was that it wasn't enough for him to make the tackle, but he made a habit of looking to punch the ball out while he was bringing down the offensive player, a trait that shows up in his impressive seven forced fumbles last season. He also has excellent vision, anticipating which holes ballcarriers will try to get through and meeting them squared up in the gap to prevent a big play. Kruger's size may turn some of the bigger national programs away, but he is going to excel at the next level due to his outstanding instincts and feel for the position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["202547"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Good is an interesting case because, unlike most of the other guys on this list, he doesn't typically line up at the MIKE backer position, typically aligning either in a 7-tech on the line or shading one of the slot receivers. However, I actually think this is an excellent use of his skillset because of how adept he is working in space. There are several plays on his junior tape where he will knife into the backfield without any support behind him, and his tackle is the difference between a tackle for a loss or a huge gain for the offense. Due to his strong ankle and hip mobility, he is able to make the play more often than not, making him an invaluable asset for Ballard's defense. Good has a handful of smaller offers already on the table, and with a big senior season coming up, I am really looking forward to seeing what tape he can put up for college scouts.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["202564"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Abdalla might be one of the most interesting players I've watched in this series simply because he truly plays like a man without a position. On offense, he has clips where he plays running back and receiver, while on defense, he lines up as an off-ball linebacker, on-ball linebacker, and even a defensive tackle. However, the one thing that stands out no matter where he lines up is his athleticism and mobility. He does an excellent job of moving in space and getting o the ballcarrier on defense, even making plays that he is way out of position on. For his smaller frame, he plays with impressive physicality and a good pad level that allows him to make plays on players bigger than him, a trait college coaches will love. He does an excellent job of shedding blocks efficiently and even making plays on the football when it's in the air, something a lot of linebackers struggle with even when they do play the position full time. Abdalla feels like a ball of clay, but if he ends up in the right program, he can be a major difference maker for the defensive coordinator that lands him.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->