2025: Aggressive Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These linebackers can make tackles for loss and provide outstanding coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698404' first='Kalvin' last='Liavaa'] || LB || 6'0 || 205 || Alta High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liavaa is a physical force up front who can stand up offensive linemen in the run game or go right through them to create havoc in the backfield. He does a great job setting the edge and is willing to take on linemen to free up his teammates to make plays. Liavaa is a strong tackler in space and does a great job against option plays. He displays impressive bend and a great motor when hunting down quarterbacks as a pass rusher. His speed off the edge helps him explode off the snap and shoot through gaps if offensive tackles overset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698480' first='Ikani' last='Maka] || LB || 5'8 || 190 || West Jordan High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maka is one of the class's hardest hitters. He possesses elite sideline-to-sideline speed and used it to make plays against some of the state's top offenses last year. Maka took good angles and does a great job wrapping up when flying in to bring down running backs. Maka shoots through gaps to make plays in the backfield and does a good job getting around offensive linemen. He is also good in coverage, where he can hold down the middle of the field. Maka made some miraculous plays as just a sophomore in 2022, and 2023 will be no different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698544' first='Paul' last='Latu'] || LB || 6'0 || 200 || Lehi High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Latu quickly reads and reacts to plays. He flows to the ball well and is an elite tackler. Latu does a good job breaking down when flying in to make stops. He never takes a play off and is relentless when chasing down ball carriers. In coverage, he does a good job tracking quarterback's eyes to break up passes. In addition, he has good hands and can create turnovers. Latu hits like a missile and can send quarterbacks and ball carriers flying. He will be a force on the Pioneer's defense for the next two seasons and will stack up plenty of tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='705535' first='Jacob' last='Nelson'] || LB || 5'11 || 185 || American Fork High School || 2025&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is a physical athlete who can stop running backs right in their tracks. He can go through or around offensive linemen to limit offenses to minimal gains. Nelson is a strong blitzer who times his rushes well. He does a good job disguising if he's coming or not to confuse offensive linemen. In addition, he possesses sideline-to-sideline speed he uses to beat running backs to the edge. He fearlessly fills holes and will take on pullers to free up his teammates to make plays. He played both ways last season but never seemed to wear down or get tired over the duration of a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->