Tenacious Tacklers: Star LBs from the Super Football Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From what much is entrusted, much is expected. These are words that linebackers must live by. Expected to be equally proficient in playing both the run and the pass, they also are expected to communicate between each other, the d-line, and the secondary. Further, coaches rely on them to relay the play call into the huddle and make sure everyone is lined up correctly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No doubt about it there is so much is demanded from the linebacker position. That is why it is all the more special when teams have an headlining talent at that spot to be their proverbial "straw that stirs their drink."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we look at some of the Super Football Conference's top returning linebackers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755441"],"_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":"Passaic County Tech has a bulldog in the second level of their defense. At 5'6u0022 170lbs [player_tooltip player_id='755441' first='Jordan' last='Alston'] may not be the most domineering figure on the field, but this kid comes to lay the wood. Last fall Alston registered 120 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FR, and 4 hurries.rnrnAlston gets the job done by often shooting backside windows en route to force the issue in the backfield. Aside from making tackles for losses, this causes ball carriers to slow down and run east-west. He is also as sure of a tackler that there is, with not too many defenders escaping his clutches. Whether it be tackling, as a lead blocker, with crossing patterns, or punt return, Alston has that bulldog mentality where he wants to be a physical enforcer. He follows the QBs eyes well and is in position to make a play on the ball when dropping into coverage. Alston diagnoses the play and then pursues. I would love to see him zero in on his keys and fly around the field every single down.rnrnWith Alston and teamate [player_tooltip player_id='380394' first='Jovan' last='Tyrell'] leading the back-end of their defense, I fully expect Passaic County Tech to be in the hunt for the North Group IV title this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d430c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15159949/6397e30e5cb3800b68081800' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d435b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JordanAlston33","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/JordanAlston33 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755466"],"_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":"The Parsippany Red Hawks are looking to build off of last year's campaign. They will do so in part of the hustling, grinding LB [player_tooltip player_id='755466' first='Omar' last='Amin']. At 6 foot 200lbs Amin was credited with 45 tackles and 4 FF while hauling in 22 balls for 347 yards and 3 TDs. I suspect these stats are underreported though.rnrnAs a LB, Amin rushes off the edge with a full head of steam. He times the snap count well and gets loose, many times seemingly unaccounted for in the protection. From there, Amin looks to lay big hits on the QB whenever he gets an opportunity. Amin does a nice job squeezing and chasing plays from behind, often stopping plays from making significant gains. When facing an option team, he waits and reacts. This causes the QB to be indecisive and buys time for his support to fly up and collectively limit gains. Amin also took snaps at WR and RB too. He has a great release if nobody gets hands on him and also exclusively makes catches with his hands. Aggressively, he comes back to the ball in order to make sure he is the only one who makes the grab. I would love to see Amin be more physical at the LOS and take on blockers, rather than swim outside-in to make plays.rnrnAlthough he is a Red Hawk by name, Amin plays more like a vulture, sweeping down and cleaning up as much as he can near the LOS. His senior year may be his coming out party.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d43d2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15210421/639699b14210da03c89baabb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d43f7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Omy307","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/Omy307 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755442"],"_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":"The Green Knights from St. Joe's Montvale are always a lights-out program. Returning for 2023 they have one LB in particular who makes opponents run game go u0022night-night.u0022 Packing a punch is the 5'10u0022 195lber [player_tooltip player_id='755442' first='Ricky' last='Anastasi']. As a junior Anastasi was credited with an even 100 tackles (6 for a loss), 1 sack, and 1 FR.rnrnThere is a lot to like about Anastasi's game. He clearly outpaces slower linemen or linemen who have their heads down. When tackling, he tackles low and wraps up to make sure the ball carrier does not break loose. Anastasi sees holes clearly and fills them accordingly. Anastasi is also deceptively athletic and versatile. On film we see him covering #3 head up or splitting the difference vs trips, while other times being the lone LB in the box vs 3x1 sets. Either way, he plays his assignments and is rarely out of position to make a play. Additionally, he may bite on the jet motion but is quick enough to recover and make the play on an inside run. Anastasi consistently gets hands on pullers while also shedding them to make a play. The only thing left for Anastasi's film might be to include some clips of him in pass protection.rnrnThere is a lot I like about Anastasi's game. He is an old-school, run stuffing LB who can cover and make plays in space. His recruitment will be an interesting thing to watch unfold.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d4467"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15228659/63744dda5ef7360b20a7ec8a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d4487"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AnastasiRicky","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/AnastasiRicky </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755443"],"_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":"When the Paramus Spartans needed a play last fall - on either side of the ball - they looked to the 6 foot 210lber named [player_tooltip player_id='755443' first='Chris' last='Aykurt']. On the ground Aykurt slashed 9/91/1 and on defense he totaled 107 tackles, 14 for loss, 4 sack, and 1 blocked punt.rnrnAykurt can shoot gaps very quickly, which means he is actively reading his keys. Running full speed leads him to interrupt many plays in the backfield before they get started. Aykurt is fast-reacting, getting to anywhere on the field from any spot on the field in a hurry. When Aykurt zeros in on defenders he will latch on and sling them; I would prefer he shoulder wrap-and-roll tackle.rnrnAykurt is a versatile piece that does a lot of things well and impacts the game in a lot of ways. He is certainly a player to track. I suspect the Spartan's success is directly connected with his.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d44e0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15061330/635ee13aff0d250cb8ccba2e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d44fe"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Chris_Aykurt","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/Chris_Aykurt </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755467"],"_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":"Newark Central is a team looking to change the tide this coming season. They have a good defensive edge piece to help get it done. [player_tooltip player_id='755467' first='Wakeel' last='Balogun'] made 64 tackles (9 for a loss), 4 sack, 2 FF, and 3 FR last season.rnrnWith limited clips we see Balogun use his hands to control the man in front of him, shed the block, and pursue the ball carrier. He has strong block recognition as well. We see him string out reaches and squeeze when unblocked. He has the ability to get around the corner from time-to-time as well. Balogun will benefit from a great offseason in the weight room. This will help him control his gap some more.rnrnBalogun is a nice piece for the Blue Devils moving forward. He is, for certain, part of the solution at Newark Central.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/17570377/Wakeel-Balogun/highlightsu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642f6f09d4556"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Wakeel_Balogun","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/Wakeel_Balogun </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->