2024 Tackling Machine’s Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This class of linebackers in the state of Tennessee caught my attention. I made it my duty to check them out. A lot of these guys are big backs with speed. I can't wait to see the ones I haven't witnessed firsthand, in person. Let's take a quick view at who this class has to offer at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='400655' first='Grace'son' last='Beach'] - LB - Pearl-Cohn HS / @Hulk_G11</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beach is an expert tackler who employs precision striking and consistent fundamentals. Capable of dropping his weight and launching to win the leverage game vs ball carriers. Hand usage and arm length permit him to navigate in traffic, remaining clean on his path to the running back. Sufficient lateral agility to side-step linemen and fill into his assigned gap. He beats the opposing guard or tackle to his spot repeatedly, using acceleration and a dip technique to stay untouched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='616500' first='Tyran' last='Forte'] - SS - Chattanooga Central / @TyranForte24</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forte is a clean hitter that forces fumbles with hit velocity. Active feet and fluid hips to carry three strong in coverage or drop from a mugged look. He can also flow to the boundary and tackle the ball carrier before he gets to the track. He has lateral agility and speed to pick up motion players or backs on swings. Forte effort and motor is not a question.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Claytin Pelonero - MLB - Huntingdon HS / @ClaytinPelonero</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelonero is sound and fluid as a tackler. Consistently drops his pads, leads with his shoulder, and hits the target in the lower body, wrapping up ball carriers. Scrapes and bends around blocks. Arm length and hand usage are shown here, evading the punch of bigger linemen.  Runs to and through the ball. He never panics in a one-on-one, open-field scenario.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='278377' first='Korey' last='Smith'] - LB - Oakland HS / @Korey2024</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith shows the propensity to bend and run the arch when he can focus solely on attacking. Keeps his eyes up and will disengage in a timely manner in order to flush a gap and stop the running back. Smith is solid as an open-field tackler. Can't wait to see what he has in store for his senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Benjamin Jorge - MLB - Pigeon Forge HS / @BenjaminJorge13</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jorge has quick hands to stay clean when flowing to the sideline, taking advantage of his speed to make plays. His closing speed is very good. Linemen have a tough time locating and blocking him at the second level as he slips past blocks. He is physical, possessing the ability to shock blockers. Jorge is a linebacker who communicates pre-snap to get his defense lined up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->