Best Available OLBs From The 2023 Class
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As recruiting season heats up, here are some of the top players in the 2023 class with open recruitment. These are five of the top outside linebackers teams can still offer. Collin Campbell WA #93 LB #11 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT…
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Continue ReadingAs recruiting season heats up, here are some of the top players in the 2023 class with open recruitment. These are five of the top outside linebackers teams can still offer.
Campbell has above-average athleticism and a high football IQ at OLB. He moves great laterally and his ball skills are sound, high pointing with good hands. These tools allow his excellent play recognition to take over as an off- ball linebacker. Good pad level when rushing and sound tackling form. He plays with great tempo and his reflexes allow him to play smart without sacrificing ferocity. Sets a good edge with eyes up and good angle. He’s already received offers from Whitworth, Puget Sound, Linfield, and Redlands, and is still has open recruitment for now.
Givens is a feisty off-ball LB who makes his name heard in coverage. He’ll stay with inside receivers on outbreaking routes and scares teams away from their short passing game with quick lateral movement in zone coverage. He makes good reads to come up and help on inside runs. He has good, low tackling form and can set teammates up for big hits. His feel for space allows him to cover more ground with less footwork. His recruitment is still open.
Daimien Wall
Daimien Wall
Wall has good leverage and takes on half a man when rushing or setting an edge. He sprints to tackles and drives ballcarriers in the open field onto the ground. Plays smart without overcommitting his balance, but trusts his reads enough to take off and chase a back sideline-to-sideline. He has a natural feel for getting to and being in the backfield. He chases QBs relentlessly with speed and will rock them from the top if standing tall in the pocket or bite their ankles if they run away. He’s received offers from Concordia, Linfield, and Iowa Wesleyan and is still open for recruitment at the moment.
George Maiava
George Maiava
Maiava is a smart outside linebacker. He takes a good first step and is patient while reading the play, then reacts without hesitation. He sets a great edge; tracks the ball carrier’s near hip in a textbook fashion, chops his feet quickly, and maintains low pad level when engaged. He also has a crisp tackling motion- he drives his feet through contact and hits hard, but wraps up well too. His head is always in the correct spot, and he hits cleanly without sacrificing his own safety. He recorded a pick and two sacks in 11 games. Colleges might want a physical freak when recruiting an edge player, but Maiava could make the impact their defense needs.
Torrance Johnson
Torrance Johnson
If you were looking for an outside linebacker with decent coverage skills, some size and who could run, Johnson could get the job done. He has plenty of natural athleticism and good instincts, but his footwork isn’t yet sharp on turf. He plays big with his upper half and utilizes his long arms by wrapping up. He had decent receiving production including an impressive catch-and-run score as a TE, but his tackling is his best attribute and looks to continue as a LB.