Position Breakdown: 2024 Impact Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='115497' first='Jack' last='Bleier'], Basha HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bleier is a throwback true mike backer in the middle of the Basha defense and is a thumper in-between the tackles. When filling, he is violent and runs through blockers with a low hat and tracks down ball carriers backside flashing some closing speed and a high motor. Quickly diagnosing plays, he is patient when shooting the right gaps and takes good angles in-between the tackles when knifing into the backfield. Strong at the POA, he can violently shed off blocks and bend off the edge in pass rush situations while splitting double teams and easily overpowering backs in pass protection. A true run stuffer in the middle, he is one of the top 2024 middle linebackers across the region. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">Joseph Clark, Saguaro HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Clark can play on either side of the ball, but will most likely find his home at outside linebacker at the next level. He is a very rangy and athletic kid with elite closing speed, cover abilities and can also rush off the edge and collapse the pocket quickly. He is very fluid in space, can change direction quickly and attack while taking good angles in the open field and bringing a nice thump through contact. Clark is a very physical player that also shows he can cover in the slot and trigger into the flats while quickly diagnosing plays and excelling in space. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">[player_tooltip player_id='169429' first='Naji' last='Sherrod'], Hamilton HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sherrod is a well built linebacker with elite speed and movement abilities which fits the mold of the new age cover linebacker that can also rush the passer. He is a downhill player that closes quickly, explodes through contact and takes good angles in the open field while able to apply pressure from all over. Off the edge, he shows a violent use of hands at the POA and wins with speed and power at the POA while showing some short area twitch and COD abilities as well. He is a very balanced and athletic linebacker that should see some offers roll in this Spring. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">[player_tooltip player_id='364208' first='Champ' last='Gennicks'], Red Mountain HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Gennicks is one of the hardest hitters around the region and flies around from the second level making plays both in the box and outside the tackles. He is a longer linebacker with range and closing speed that navigates through traffic well with a low hat and strong punch through blockers. In space, he can drop off and cover the flats while physical in coverage and smart in zone coverage, flashing a high football IQ and quick trigger. Very athletic and versatile due to his length and short area explosion, he is a no brainer next level kid. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->