Tennessee 2024 Watch List: LB’s Part II
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Jaylon Sanderfer TN #110 LB #20 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 210 POS LB CLASS 2024 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Jaylon Sanderfer Class 2024 Position LB Height 6'2" HS Boyd Buchanan | TN Tennessee 2024 Watch List: LB’s Part…
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Continue ReadingSanderfer gets good extension to play off of blocks; engages from a solid foundation. Shows the quickness to slip by linemen when playing between the tackles. Willing to step into the hole and square up ball carriers. Rangy enough to pursue toward the sidelines. Overall flexibility is good. Length gives him a solid tackling radius. Has the athleticism to shade over the slot and work in coverage against some opposing tight ends and receivers. Looks fast when spot-dropping into zone. Probably at his best when he’s allowed to get after the passer; shows pretty good hand use and flexibility as an edge rusher.
Sayles reads plays quickly and is willing to step into the hole and take on blocks to stuff the run; rarely overcommits and ends up running himself out of the play. Does a good job of keeping his shoulders square to the line. When playing downhill, has enough lower-body strength and explosiveness to avoid getting overwhelmed by opposing blockers in the hole. Gets good extension to lock out opposing blockers, with the knee-bend to compete in the leverage battle.
Highlights
Smith hasquick feet to work his way through traffic. Athletic enough to pursue to the sideline, working hard to chase down opposing ballcarriers. Closes well as an open-field tackler. Effective hit-and-wrap tackler with a wide radius because of his length; generates some pop on contact, and can help set the tone defensively. Able to carry backs out of the backfield or down the sideline on wheel routes. Looks fast when scheming a lane as a pass-rusher and also has the ability to work through gaps because of his quickness and flexibility.
Smith is ahigh-motor player with more physicality. Smith is also a dangerous pass-rusher, his first step is explosive. Able to win with quickness on the edge; can challenge the outside with speed and work his way back in. Active with his hands and has a viable rip move. Good ankle/hip flexibility to work around the edge.
Highlights
Spillman has a powerful build with a barrel chest and what looks like good length; looks the part of a linebacker. Used all over the defense; frequently shaded over the slot, but also blitzes and works as a traditional linebacker. Brings desirable energy, physicality, and toughness. At his best, looks like a heat-seeking missile; explosive downhill player who generates pop on contact and can stand his ground against blockers. Shows heavy hands to discard with brute strength. Rangy, high-motor player who pursues to the sidelines and is capable of chasing down ballcarriers in backside pursuit. Shows the ability to play with patience when dealing with window dressing. Length gives him an impressive tackling radius and misses very few tackles. Generates some pop on contact. Clean footwork in his backpedal when shaded over the slot; sound transitions. Can bend the edge and close quickly as a pass-rusher.