2022 End of SD Season Rankings – LB

<!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='89287' first='Jaxton' last='Eck'] - Brookings</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eck was the best Edge rusher that South Dakota had this year and it was not particularly close to the position that he had of a linebacker.  he tended to swap between what was an outside linebacker role and a coverage middle linebacker oh, that being he could play great amounts of man and zone coverage while also being the elite edge rusher at the same time, being one of the best things that you need out of your line. He is a Linebacker that is the definition off consistency and great play, forcing fumbles and interceptions I like making him a turnover machine that the Brookings defense had to leave one of the best defense is all year.  That was a key piece for his defense and he will be when he goes on to play college football, happy to say that he wins at the 1 spot on our list </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='56578' first='Gabe' last='Gutierrez'] - Sioux Falls Lincoln</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again is a versatile player that can do so much for his team and did this year, it was a defensive leader and a stalwart that was able to hold a great defensive Lincoln unit and went far in the play.  he was the defensive MVP this year without a doubt in his talent on the field with otherworldly, being a ball hog kind of linebacker who was able to read the offense to make adjustments not only from Stauffers team but also make adjustments to help his team.  Gutierrez is a player that cares very little about individual statistics or his own individual Fame, he wants what's best for his team and he did that with his selfless style of play he did not care if he didn't get a fumble or tackle just happy that his team is having success. A selfless leader that did so much on the field and off the field makes him a college-ready prospect that the recruiter should look to as a great defensive peace even if he gets limited playing time to be a great present for the locker room.  Gutierrez was an all-around fantastic player and Slots into the 2 spot on our list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='56548' first='Richard' last='Benenge'] - Harrisburg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benenge while one of the highest-rated prospects in South Dakota, he slots at that the 3 spot this year in this was no easy decision on any part, but there were players that just outperform him this year.  the uncommitted prospect is still looking for a college to call his own but this year should be no issue with his play on the field being otherworldly being one of the best linebackers in South Dakota and let a Harrisburg defensive unit that was one of the best in the state.  Benji was able to cover all around the Zone this year and lay down some big hits while doing it, mostly being a run-stopper and zone coverage linebacker that was able the stifle offenses before any momentum could be getting even remotely started.  while I would want to play the sit higher on this list there were other linebackers who just played so great and undermined which means he went to the 3 spots on our list </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='56571' first='Maddox' last='May'] - Aberdeen Roncalli</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May heading to end back to this year and there were very few people that could stop him from making the tackles heat into make which lands with the 4 spot on the list. He was a defensive standout on the Aberdeen Roncalli team that looked at him as their defensive General and he sure backed that up, He was mostly used in 4-3 sets where he was the main linebacker in coverage and line up often with tight ends in P L that might have been bigger than him, but that did not stop him from playing some Elite coverage and being able to lock them down at a high level. He has a level of speed and verticality that would make him an even better offensive player which he did do this year is going to leave it running back but none the less he was still a fantastic linebacker and someone that made some big plays this year, Landing him at the 4 spots on our line back at the list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='161243' first='Noah' last='Hutmacher'] - Chamberlain </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How true was a coverage Specialist this year, he effectively could be seen as a box safety or defensive back but with the physical frame of a linebacker that could stop the running game and stipple the Pasadena.  his physical traits are with makes him most effective, being able to go up the middle and fill gaps in the offensive line stopping The running game in its tracks, Being one of the most effective defensive stoppers has the entire year not only in his division but the entire state of South Dakota.  where what's on third down where he could either commit to one or the other if he knew a pass was coming good luck trying to get anything in his window because he'll either break it up or be more likely to knock it a turnover forced.  his ability to be a coverage for player and Emily run-stopper make him land at the 5 spot at our end-of-the-year list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->