202Four to Know: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most challenging positions on the field, a linebacker not only has to have the strength to fight off big bodies but is also responsible for bringing them to the ground. They are required to be both strong and athletic. Understand angles but display patience in gaps. This article will cover some of the 2024 gladiators of the gridiron you will need to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516764"],"_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":"u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/KevonNewsome8u0022u003ehttps://twitter.com/KevonNewsome8u003c/au003ernrnThe Class A leader in tackles. Newsome was an absolute monster on the field last year. He racked up 130 tackles, including 10 for a loss while also managing 3 sacks on the year. Newsome is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who has that rare talent of strength and speed that you see in some of the best linebackers at the college and pro levels. Newsome's ability to diagnose plays and attack gaps had offenses having to gameplan around his ability. With a change of scenery this year, Newsome will thrive with Omaha Central and should garner a lot of attention from colleges in the fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://iframe%20src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16603511/635a924557980d04c43da3a9'%20width='640'%20height='360'%20frameborder='0'%20allowfullscreen/iframeu0022u003eu003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16603511/635a924557980d04c43da3a9u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreen=u0022allowfullscreenu0022u003eu003c/iframeu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["250625"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/justycehosu0022u003ehttps://twitter.com/justycehosu003c/au003ernrnHostetler's wrestling background is evident on the football field. Once he sinks his mitts on you, you are being tossed like a ragdoll. Hostetler is a decisive football player. He is quick to read a play and explodes to the ball like a scud missile. He brings a physicality that has ball handler's paying attention to where he is at on the field. Racking up over 100 tackles in 2023, Hostetler will be an anchor on the Grand Island defense, setting the tone each night. Any school looking for an explosive, physical linebacker will get a steal with Hostetler.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://iframe%20src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14538949/639a1c0aa677ed0560102467'%20width='640'%20height='360'%20frameborder='0'%20allowfullscreen/iframeu0022u003eu003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14538949/639a1c0aa677ed0560102467u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreen=u0022allowfullscreenu0022u003eu003c/iframeu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["250633"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/MasonChand1er12u0022u003ehttps://twitter.com/MasonChand1er12u003c/au003ernrnMost of us have heard the statement about someone just being a u0022football playeru0022. Well, Chandler is the epitome of that statement. He has the speed and strength to tackle ball carriers with the athleticism to play multiple positions on both offense and defense. The Chieftains had their QB1 go down early in the year, Chandler stepped in to run the offense while racking up 94 tackles on the defensive side. A do anything to win type of player, Chandler displayed a level of coachability and effort that most coaches dream of. Being able to be solidified and focused at positions his senior year will allow him to thrive.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://iframe%20src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14852774/6363ddf719a5f308f8e575e1'%20width='640'%20height='360'%20frameborder='0'%20allowfullscreen/iframeu0022u003eu003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14852774/6363ddf719a5f308f8e575e1u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreen=u0022allowfullscreenu0022u003eu003c/iframeu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["516152"],"_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":"u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/GradyRobbins3u0022u003ehttps://twitter.com/GradyRobbins3u003c/au003ernrnAveraging 11.4 tackles per game, with 9 tackles for a loss and 3 sacks in 2023, Robbins is your perfect gap linebacker. He is quick to hit holes to shoot through or fill them to make a play.  He displayed good upper body strength by fighting through blocks and solid speed during chase downs of ball carriers. Robbins provides stability at the second level and does not allow much past it. A strong, solid frame allows Robbins to play physical and be the initiator of contact rather than the absorber. Robbins development should catch attention at the next level.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://iframe%20src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14827189/63b74c06bd6a31051cb4cd4e'%20width='640'%20height='360'%20frameborder='0'%20allowfullscreen/iframeu0022u003eu003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14827189/63b74c06bd6a31051cb4cd4eu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreen=u0022allowfullscreenu0022u003eu003c/iframeu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6476df5ad822f"} /-->