Best of the Basin: 2024 LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevada is loaded with talent in the 2024 class. I have been impressed with the amount of true middle linebacker prospects that are within the state. Sometimes defensive prospects have to play a hybrid DB role or be a versatile LB in a 3-4 front, but I don't see that being the case with this group. Below, I detail why these six players should have no problems transitioning into a leader in the middle of a college defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["817736"],"_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='817736' first='Keau' last='Hadley'] Jr. is a hard-hitting linebacker out of Shadow Ridge High School. Keau holds offers from Arizona Christian, Adams State, and Pacific University. Expect more schools surrounding Nevada to offer Keau before his senior season gets here.rnrnKeau's next level closing speed shows pressuring quarterbacks after blitzing from depth. Good instincts and a smooth change of direction show reacting correctly after seeing backfield misdirection in the run game. Keau's strength and good hand technique shows shedding blockers, but coaches love seeing him follow up with next level power that flattens ball carriers at the point of attack.","_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":"Zachary Young","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"Lake Mead Christian Academy ","_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":"Zachary Young holds offers from Minot State and the Air Force Academy. He has also been invited to camps by Dartmouth and Colorado School of Mines. Watch for the good-sized linebacker's recruitment to continue heating up before his graduation gets here.rnrnZachary shows good length and lateral quickness utilizing an arm-over technique as a pass rusher, while closing speed shows as quarterbacks fail to escape his clutches. Next level athleticism and good tackling ability shows quickly redirecting to pursue ball carriers in the run game. Good instincts and awareness consistently get displayed in Zachary's ability to quickly diagnose halfback screens and QB draw plays. A good combination of size, smarts, and tackling ability is sure to have him flying up recruiting lists this summer.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["817718"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='817718' first='Cooper' last='Park'] received his first offer from Pacific University last week. He visited the University of Nevada last month. Cooper has received several more camp and junior day invitations from schools in the region, so be on the lookout for his next offer to come before summer's over.rnrnCooper's next level top gear shows chasing down outside runs from a backside linebacker alignment. Good athleticism shows beating blockers with quickness in the run box and squaring up ball carriers in space. Coaches like Cooper's tackling ability, but good power and solid shed technique are textbook tools that help with his inside LB projection.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["817711"],"_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='817711' first='Marrio' last='Williams Jr.'] was recently offered by Pacific Univeristy. He visited Washington State last month. Marrio has also been on a game day visit to Nevada and attended a mega camp at Sacramento State. Watch for more schools north u0026amp; west of Reno to be lining up to recruit the versatile defender from Bishop Manogue.rnrnMarrio's textbook inside linebacker projection shows in good speed and a quick change of direction when pursuing outside runs. Next level strength shows in Marrio's shed and finish as a tackler, while good feet and balance allow him to square up ball carriers in space. Good awareness and acceleration shows quickly recognizing running back screens and finishing tackles behind the line of scrimmage.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["811149"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='811149' first='Charles' last='Correa'] is a dominant linebacker from Bishop Gorman High School. The versatile defender is committed to UNLV. Charles holds eight separate offers spanning from the FCS to PAC 12; Expect more schools bordering the Pacific and east of the Rockies to offer Charles before his senior season gets here.rnrnCharles' length, good hand technique, and explosive get off highlight his pass rush versatility at the next level. Charles' awareness in pass coverage shows intercepting balls that were not intended for his zone. Next level strength shows holding his ground versus pullers at the point of attack when aligned as an outside linebacker.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["811153"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Kahekili Pa'ao'ao is the second UNLV commit in this article. The explosive athlete also has scholarship offers from Hawaii, Colorado State, BYU, Arizona, Washington State, and the University of Nevada. Watch for more FBS schools to try and persuade Kahekili to leave Las Vegas before his high school career is over.rnrnKahekili shows a rare combination of instincts and power attacking the line of scrimmage and exploding through tackles before ball carriers have a chance to enter the neutral zone.  Awareness gets further displayed in zone coverage, but Kahekili's fluid change of direction allows him to redirect quickly and make plays on the ball when his zone is targeted. Good closing speed shows turning failed blitzes into sacks when quarterbacks attempt to turn scrambles into positive gains. Kahekili's great combination of speed, instincts, and power project him to either inside linebacker spot at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6469135d73e25"} /-->