Prep Redzone WI Showcase: Best of the Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The position group that I was most impressed with was the LBs. There was so much talent to watch, and that talent put on a show throughout the entirety of Session I. There was D1 talent, athletes in the process of making a name for themselves, new athletes to know, and underclassmen that will be names to know when their time comes. We cover the best of the best in today's article. College coaches, be sure to be well aware of the athletes in this article. It was a hard to group to walk away from as I tried to get my eyes on everyone equally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383783"],"_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":"Tomah HS had a couple athletes with strong performances. One of those was LB [player_tooltip player_id='383783' first='Bruce' last='Rezin']. The 5'11u0022 180 lbs LB demonstrated some solid body control that allowed him to look smooth through the different testing and drill work. Rezin plays OLB for Tomah. I liked Bruce heading into this season, so I wanted to take a look at this season to see if that same body control would show up in action.rnrnThe sophomore started six of the eight games he played in and piled up 50 tackles during that time. Bruce played some off the ball OLB, but mainly lined up on the edge. That same body control definitely shows up because Rezin looked his best when he was on the edge one on one with ball carriers. Instead of being juked you see a lot of examples of his lateral agility keeping him in front of the ball carrier for the tackle. With two years to go for Bruce, I'm looking forward to watching his frame and game develop. Solid day at the Showcase launches his offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc1638"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405467"],"_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":"One of the top talents of the entire Showcase was the Bay Port junior LB. Landon checked in at 6'3u0022 222 lbs, ran 4.84, broad jumped 9'10u0022, and ran a 4.59 5-10-5 Drill. Landon was the top Testing Performance of the Position. As good as Landon was testing, he looked his best when we got to the drills and one on ones.rnrnLandon has prototypical size for the OLB position, and is a D1 level talent because he is blessed with excellent body control and flexibility. His technique was sharp, keeping his shoulders over his toes at all times. That part of his technique really shined when they went against the RBs in ground game battles. Landon is able to cover big chunks of ground laterally and can change direction quickly thanks to his body control. The RBs had a hard time shaking him. He closed quickly, and used his length to corral and wrap up the ball carriers. Gauthier did a good job in coverage picking up LBs and running with them down the field. Landon looked like a high level three down LB all day long. Definitely a name to know if you don't already. He has an offer from NDSU and Wyoming.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc16da"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268989"],"_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 6'1u0022 213 lbs junior LB is one of my favorite LBs in the Class of 2024. He plays OLB on the edge of the Plymouth defense and he has been a playmaker there. Ryan is a fun pass rusher to watch. He can be elusive by dodging blockers with lateral agility or run right through blocks. Koll is a high motor player who makes as many plays with his pursuit as he does with his initial assignment and plan of attack.rnrnDuring the Showcase Ryan looked his best in the one on one ground battles. The long athlete was able to stay square, attack downhill, and that aggressiveness allowed him to quickly end reps. It was a solid day for an athlete who has been at his best rushing the QB and setting a strong edge. Watching him rise to the occasion and compete in scenarios he doesn't face a ton was good to see. It showed his true athletic abilities and ability to quickly adapt.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc1750"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275460"],"_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":"While not the biggest kid at 6' 190 lbs Ladainian proved to be a name to know at the position for 2024 athletes. If you follow along on Twitter you saw the graphics. I really liked what I saw from the junior and his footwork. Mielke moved so well thanks to his light feet, and he was well balanced over his feet. The junior was also impressive with his change of direction. His Shuttle Drill illustrated that nicely as he ran an impressive 4.41. That balance and his feet allowed him to do well in the battles against RBs. Ladainian won reps in both the run and pass battles.rnrnGetting to the ball and making plays isn't a surprise for the Sussex athlete. He just set his schools' record for tackles in a season. Just like at the Showcase, his film shows an LB who can be reliable against the run and the pass. He is comfortable playing in space behind his initial alignment. He also has the range to meet ball carriers at the line form sideline to sideline. The rankings on the right are going to move in a positive direction as we begin updates after the coverage of the Showcase.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc17fb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270788"],"_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":"Tommy played all over the field as a junior. He lined up at DE and LB and made plays from both. Tommy drops the hammer on kids when he makes contact for the tackle. At LB, Tommy navigates the trash between the tackles well. He can make linemen miss with his side to side movement, and then spring forward to attack ball carriers. Verheyen's versatility really shined this past season. He was stout vs the inside run. He could rush the QB off the edge. He could drop into coverage and have the athleticism and body control to look comfortable out in space.rnrnAt the Showcase, I watched a couple coaches come up and get to know Tommy during drills. They had good reason, and I saw it happen because I was in line to talk to him as well. The 6'1u0022 201 lbs fits the role of an LB who can roam the middle of the defense and make tackles between the tackles and outside the box. The LB position is looking like a deep one of the Class of 2024. I came away impressed with the junior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc186a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270648"],"_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":"Matt had a good day at the Showcase in Oak Creek. He had an impressive season while battling through injuries. He even was braced up on his hand/wrist during the Showcase. That didn't stop the junior from making plays. I really enjoyed watching him in the coverage battles. That is where he made his biggest plays of the day. Miklosy looked natural picking up RBs out of the backfield. He could turn and run with them, and broke up passes with well timed contact and swats of his hands. While not the biggest athlete at 5'11u0022 192 lbs, Matt proved that he can make an impact against good competition. Matt ended the Showcase with a rep in the Best vs Best battles. A rep that he won with a pass breakup.rnrnThis season, Matt was at the middle of the Catholic Memorial defense as they made a run to Cam p Randall for the State Championship finals. Matt himself was a First Team All Conference player as well as an All Region player. Definitely a player to have on your radars.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc18c3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["433163"],"_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":"Samuel had a great day on the field. He caught the eyes of the coaches, implemented what he was taught, and demonstrated an exciting skill set. The junior's performance led the way at the position, and earned him MVP honors. Check out the MVP article u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/2022/12/gamechangers-mvps-of-the-prep-redzone-wi-showcase/u0022u003eHEREu003c/au003e to go in depth on his performance.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63928dbdc190e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Top Testing Performance of the Position</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='405467' first='Landon' last='Gauthier']</td></tr><tr><td>6'3" 222 lbs OLB Bay Port</td></tr><tr><td>4.84 40 Yard Dash</td></tr><tr><td>4.59 Shuttle Drill</td></tr><tr><td>9'10" Broad Jump</td></tr><tr><td>7.31 L Drill</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->