5 Must-Know Rising Sophomore ‘Backers from the Shore Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The proverbial "captain of the defense," linebackers are the glue that communicate to all levels of their defense to ensure that on-field breakdowns are non-existent. Additionally, they are required to be equally as proficient in stopping the run as they are defending the pass. Moreover, when you have rising sophomores who did more than just get their feet wet last season, there is reason for excitement and optimism for the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we take a look at a batch of linebackers who are ready to take their names <em>beyond </em>the conference level and to the forefront of New Jersey high school recruiting. What makes this set of linebackers unique? They all are from the class of 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801495"],"_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='801495' first='Roman' last='Blanks'] of the Keyport Red Raiders is physically built to start varsity football.  At 6'2u0022 200lbs there is little that this spring-time baseball player cannot do on the gridiron. Blanks went 32/78 with 473 yards through the air, throwing 4 TDs and 4 Ints. He also slashed 56/177/4 on the ground. Defensively, Blanks made 42 tackles (6 for a loss), 2 FF, and 3 sacks.rnrnMany of Blanks' highlights are of him being on the play's backside. From this we see that he pursues very well and knows to punch the ball out if in a chasing position. This is a rare occurrence though, as Blanks takes great angles of pursuit. Tackling is one of Blanks strong suits too, as he executes textbook shoulder-roll tackles time and time again. Blanks has a strong sense of the game too, correctly rolling coverage zones as a QB rolls out and cuts the field in half. As a true threat to make a play on either the keep or the give, Blanks plays frontside option well and makes the QB's reads extremely difficult. So young a player, one day colleges will want to see film on how he addresses plays when it is ran at him. Being quick to read his keys and aggressive will make Blanks sure to pop on tape in this regard.rnrnGiven how many ways he impacts the game, Blanks is as young and as exciting a player there is as he enters his junior year. The size, production, and tape supports this. Not sure what he will be recruited to play, but he inevitably u003cemu003ewillu003c/emu003e be recruited.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3ad0e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16194410/63ca24870dbff90798ef1253' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3ad6a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RomanBlanks3","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RomanBlanks3 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801498"],"_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":"At 5'10u0022 175lbs, [player_tooltip player_id='801498' first='Colin' last='Obser'] is ready to pounce on ball carriers this upcoming season for the Point Pleasant Boro Panthers. Last fall Obser was credited with 33 tackles and 1 sack.rnrnThe first thing I noticed on film about Obser is that he appears to have a strong, sturdy frame. Perhaps he is bigger than what is listed? Although he has a great get off on the LOS, Obser is also asked to split out over #2 against twin sets where he looks to get hands on and jam his matchup. It appears that Obser plays his to his scheme. On one play it looked like the Panthers sent double-edge pressure off the backside for option (inside man pursues the give, outside man pursues the keep). Obser was disciplined in tackling his assignment. An underrated thing Obser does against perimeter screens is that he works u003cemu003ethroughu003c/emu003e the blocker, rather than u003cemu003earound u003c/emu003ehim. This creats a bubble for the receiver to run around, slow his feet, and help pursuit follows. More film of Obser stuffing the run would be a plus to an already promising tape.rnrnAs you will find out in short order, Obser is not the only rising sophomore at LB for Point Pleasant Boro. That said, the future is promising for this young defensive unit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3ade0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15127080/63693af038642d0c30da82b4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3ae19"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Colin_Obser","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Colin_Obser </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801496"],"_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":"Rumson-Fair Haven already has a key piece of their defense, DL [player_tooltip player_id='280063' first='Cooper' last='Bunnell'], returning for 2023; however, there is some buzz around 6 foot 205lb LB [player_tooltip player_id='801496' first='Austin' last='Kiernan']. Also a wrestler for the Bulldogs, Kiernan was credited with 27 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 sacks, and 1 FF last fall.rnrnThe thing that stood out the most about Kiernan on film was that when he is full speed ahead, he totally levels the opposition when making tackles. What makes him effective as a blitzer is that Kiernan has the ability to get through the line untouched en route to the big hits he likes to lay; however, if he does get blocked, he has shown that he knows how to slip off these blocks. Smarts is part of Kiernan's game too, as he has shown the ability to sniff out and stuff screens. I like how Kiernan is disciplined in staying home backside on plays to eliminate the opportunity for cutbacks. With how much forward momentum he gets, Kiernan's film will explode should he make quicker reads and get going downhill a bit sooner.rnrnWith key pieces like [player_tooltip player_id='545577' first='Owen' last='O'Toole'], [player_tooltip player_id='271025' first='Nick' last='Rigby'], and [player_tooltip player_id='724739' first='Jack' last='Mauthe'] returning to an already potent offense, Kiernan looks to take on a bigger role on an equally as stout defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3aec2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16314040/6390c0283864cb04b4374189' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3aee6"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AKiernan96","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AKiernan96 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801499"],"_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":"We already covered LB classmate [player_tooltip player_id='801498' first='Colin' last='Obser'] who is primed for a big season. We expect the 5'10u0022 195lb fellow Panther [player_tooltip player_id='801499' first='Dylan' last='Reitmeyer'] to be right by his side for the next few seasons. Last year Reitmeyer was credited with 20 tackles for the season.rnrnWe had a hard time finding recent tape of Reitmeyer; however, what we were able to see on older clips are reason for excitement. First thing Reitmeyer did well at a young age was the fact that he squeezed when he was unblocked, looked to initiate contact with the kick-man, and would consistently rip inside to win the inside gap. As he is supposed to, Reitmeyer locks out his arms and fights reach blocks effectively as well. Finally, Reitmeyer looks to lower his shoulder when making contact and has great balance. As football fans, we u003cemu003emust u003c/emu003ehave more film on Reitmeyer.rnrnTwo up-and-coming LBs manning Point Pleasant Boro's defense means that good things are to come... just not for opposing offenses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3af4c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9947887/5fb43ca1578e0203b0d93bae' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3af6e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DylanReitmeyer","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DylanReitmeyer </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801497"],"_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":"Manchester Township High School has a young, up-and-coming Hawk eager to latch his talons on to ball carriers all season long. Also a wrestler (an outstanding one at that), [player_tooltip player_id='801497' first='Dante' last='Mortellite'] is 5'11u0022 and 175lb. Mostly playing defense, he made 66 stops with 7 coming at a loss and 3 sacks last fall; on offense he caught 8 passes for 56 yards and 1 TD.rnrnThere was not much film at all on Mortellite. In the clips we were able to find he is a physical player. He is a battering ram of a lead blocker, which leads me to think that he brings that physicality to the Hawks' LB corps.rnrnWith his elite talent as a wrestler, I am certain Mortellite is a LB who brings it and is a prospect that could likely play both sports in college.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/7807048/Dante-Mortellite/highlightsu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644abfca3afd0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MortelliteDante","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MortelliteDante </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->