4A Under The Radar LB’s Ready To Turn Heads In 2023
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Connor Swanson CO #151 LB #20 HEIGHT 5'11" WEIGHT 195 POS LB CLASS 2024 View Profile Connor Swanson Instagram Twitter State: Colorado School: Dakota Ridge Swanson is a backer that comes downhill quickly to fill his gap and he shows…
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Continue ReadingSwanson is a backer that comes downhill quickly to fill his gap and he shows good quickness to scrape overtop if the play extends away. Swanson is a good run stopper and once he gets his hands on you there is no getting away. Swanson has good vision and is quick out of his stance and meets the runner at the line of scrimmage a lot of the time. He is very instinctual and has a knack for knocking the ball out, ripping it away from the ball carrier at times. Swanson is a key player on special teams as well where he shows the same ball hawk ability. He shows the range and speed to carry the back out of the backfield on multiple route combinations and be able to take the route away.
Highlights
Swift is a young player that shows some range and great instincts. Swift is a backer that can cover the TE or RB, showing good hands being able to come up with interceptions and swing the momentum for his team. He uses his hands well on the defensive side of the ball as well and is good at shedding blocks, stopping the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. Swift has good vision and uses that vision to read his keys; exploding out of his stance to come downhill and make a play. Swift was in the transfer protocol and had to play JV but he is a player that I expect to be thrust into a big role for the Bison and should get a lot of opportunities to showcase his talent.
Dyson Sharpton
Dyson Sharpton
When you turn on the tape and watch Sharpton he is a player that flies around and is in on all the plays. He shows the intangibles and he will definitely be on a lot of radars this year. On punt return Sharpton is a threat to block the punt every time, he was able to explode through the line and get to a few this year. He has that quick burst and uses it to avoid blocks and get to the ball carrier. He shows good feet being able to break down and make the tackle in the open field. Sharpton is an undersized inside backer but he utilizes his speed to get around offensive linemen to make the play. With his speed he is able to extend out and cover receivers at times as well.
Lucas Westerman
Lucas Westerman
Westerman is an athletic backer and has a lot of speed even returning kicks for his team. When he is on returns or when he has come up with an interception, he shows good vision and gets the most out of his opportunities. With his speed he is able to guard receivers and makes the play quickly if they do make the catch. He is a player with a nose for the football and finds himself in the right position more times than not. Westerman does show some aggression at times when attacking the ball carrier and closes the gap quickly when making the play. Westerman shows good instinct he just needs to play with that speed at times and I think he will make that jump this year.
Jaxon Killen
Jaxon Killen
Killen is a backer that can play from sideline to sideline and continuously shows his speed with how he plays, as he is quick to close the gap. He is a good tackler in the open field, breaking down and bring the ball carrier down by himself. Killen uses his speed effectively and is good at play recognition, coming up and making the play quickly once he sees it. He is able to drop back into coverage, covering any position on the field and reads the QB’s eyes well. Killen is quick to break on the ball, trying to disrupt the pass. I expect Killen to be on a lot of peoples radar and to use that aggressive playing style to create more turnovers this season.