2024 Linebackers on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In today's game people consistently devalue the linebacker position. We don't see the traditional trio of run-stopping linebackers on the field for four quarters anymore. However, I would argue that the two linebackers you need to play the majority of snaps on defense are more important than ever. Below, I detail how five prospects can impact a front seven at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["576084"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='576084' first='Logan' last='Montoya'] is a state champion wrestler whose competitiveness shows in whatever sport he plays. Logan has been invited to Upper Iowa and Southwest Baptist's junior days. He also has received invites to Harding and North Dakota State's summer camps. Watch for the high effort defender to receive more interest as the year progresses.rnrnLogan's awareness and closing speed shows sniffing out halfback screens before they hit the line of scrimmage. Natural instincts in the box shows finding windows in the run game with ease. Physciality and athleticism shows mirroring running backs before finishing in the backfield.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Dominic Jackson","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Fort Zumwalt South","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Dominic Jackson is an experienced linebacker ready for his senior season with Fort Zumwalt South. Dominic recently visited Kansas State. Dominic attended SEMO and Central Missouri camps last summer so be on the lookout for him to be on the road again in 2023.rnrnStrength and active hands get displayed in Dominic's shedding ability versus the run. Good instincts show attacking the point of attack with urgency. Awareness in pass coverage shows with Dominic's quick recognition of screen passes in zone coverage.  Dominic's effort in pursuit and good hand technique shows pressuring the quarterback as a blitzer.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Keynon Johnson","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Truman High School ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Keynon Johnson has been invited to at least six total junior days, camps, and spring practices according to my Twitter calculations. He has also visited Washburn, Mizzou, and Kansas State. With the interest already showing, look for the versatile defensive prospect to receive his first offer before we get into the heart of summer.rnrnKeynon's size and athleticism should make for an easy transition off the ball. However, good hands and Keynon's pass rush skillset highlights pass rush versatility at the next level. Instincts show reacting to being an unblocked defensive end, while Keynon's tackling ability consistently shows finishing in the backfield. Good strength and length shows shedding blockers, while Keynon's fluid change of direction allows him to disengage blockers and finish plays in his vicinity.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["130188"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='130188' first='Brian' last='Fitzmaurice'] has visited Drake, Indiana State, and NDSU. I have counted four junior day visits Brian has yet to attend. Look for the versatile defensive prospect to receive his first offer soon.rnrnBrian's power shows in his initial contact with ball carriers. Natural instincts in the box and coverage skills slot him in as a hybrid STAR linebacker or strong safety at the next level. Closing speed and athleticism show in Brian's change of direction as he breaks coverage to pursue scrambling quarterbacks.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Luke Smith","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Blue Springs South High School","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Luke Smith returns for his last season at Blue Springs South. Luke has been invited to junior days at Washburn, Central Missouri, Bethel College, Graceland, Augustana, and South Dakota State University. Keep an eye on the productive linebacker as his regional recruitment continues to heat up this spring.rnrnLuke's awareness and quickness shows in underneath zone coverage breaking to the flat with urgency. Luke's instincts allow him to sort through trash in the box and he does a good job of leading with his hands as he approaches the line of scrimmage. Athleticism shows changing direction in the box and pursuing ball carriers from a backside alignment to the point of attack.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642dc316a2592"} /-->