2023 Rankings Newcomers: Linebackers

Here, we will look at some new additions to our rankings from the linebacker position. This is the most loaded position group across the state, with tons of Division I talent and some very good high school and small college caliber players as well. In the latest rankings, there were a total of nine new linebackers that cracked the lineup and below we will highlight them and give a in-depth film review. If you want to view the 2023 defensive line newcomers click <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/12/2023-rankings-newcomers-defensive-line/">HERE!</a>   <hr class="wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    Blades is a downhill thumper that is well deserving of cracking our rankings and entering his name into the linebacker room across Idaho. He could play either at the first or second level in college and is a physical in the box player that is a plug in the run game, violent through contact and moves pretty well for his size. Currently, he holds offers from Jamestown and more D-III+ schools should show interest in the coming months.    Perez is one of the more under recruited kids across the state and deserves FCS+ interest as he has the potential to play at that level and make a big impact. He has good size, a strong frame and offers both cover and pass rush abilities from his inside linebacker position while being one of the leading tacklers across the state and playing with a high motor at all times. This is a loaded linebacker group as a whole in the 2023 class, but he is one of the states best and can make a big impact at the college level.    Leavitt has some of the more impressive tape of anyone in the state on the defensive side of the ball and is a high motor kid that should be a good mike backer in college. He is well put together, strong and moves well for his size with closing speed and cover abilities out of the backfield. He shows that he can diagnose plays quickly, takes good angles to ball carriers in the open field and is physical when rushing the passer and can do multiple duties from his linebacker position. He is another FCS caliber kid that deserves to be on a college roster next Fall.    Overall is a D-III+ kid that is all over the field and can make plays both in the box and outside the tackles. He is a bit undersized, but has good athletic abilities when moving laterally and has a quick trigger while not afraid to fill and take on bigger blockers. Cracking our rankings and just inside the top 90, he is another kid that can play at the next level.    Lowry put together a very nice Senior season for one of the top defenses in the state, and is a big time hitter, especially for his size. He is also a very impressive long snapper with zip and accuracy on the ball while athletic enough to get downfield and tackle in space. He offers position versatility at the linebacker/long snapper position at the next level.    Sanders is one of the better most active linebackers across the state and is effective when rushing off the edge and applying pressure up the middle. He is a plug in the run game, plays with a low hat and sheds blockers with his hands while flowing to the ball and attacking in the open field. Able to move around blockers or go through them, he is active in backside pursuit, and shows a quick use of hands when blitzing and coming off the edge. Sanders is a balanced no brainer next level kid that should see his recruiting stock rise in the coming months.    Albert was just offered by College of Idaho and is a very high quality D-II/III player and can play on either side of the ball at the next level but will fit nicely at linebacker. During his senior season, he was used in the backfield and was a downhill runner that was tough to tackle with a low pad level, natural lean and good leg drive through contact at the first level. He has strong vision in traffic, can cutback and make defenders miss in the hole. Defensively, he is a very active tackler that can make plays sideline to sideline while closing quickly and bringing a nice thump upon contact. He could see other D2/NAIA/D3 offers come his way over the next few weeks.

Here, we will look at some new additions to our rankings from the linebacker position. This is the most loaded position group across the state, with tons of Division I talent and some very good high school and small college caliber players as well. In the latest rankings, there were a total of nine new linebackers that cracked the lineup and below we will highlight them and give a in-depth film review. If you want to view the 2023 defensive line newcomers click HERE!