Talent and Physicality: Magnificent Seven Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the history of football, linebackers that can dominate on their side of the ball have had different skill sets. These seven linebackers all have their own strengths which allow them to make plays and have success on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370355' first='Dylan' last='Ours'], 6'1 185, Sr. Fairmont Senior - </strong>Dylan is one of the best at reading his keys and running through an offensive blocking scheme to make plays. He understands how to blitz and bends to the ball very well. He is a very physical tackler and takes great angles when he closes on a ball carrier to take away cutback runs. When he defeats blockers, he is very physical with his hands and is quick with his escapes. His pass drops are effective because he is athletic and reacts well to throws. He does play some safety as well and shows how athletic he is by making big plays on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14934406/dylan-ours">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14934406/dylan-ours</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raymond Kovalesky, 6'3 220, Sr. Linsly - </strong>Raymond is a true Mike LB and the most physical defender on this list. He has great acceleration down hill to the ball carrier, as well as, has the ability to be patient to fall back on cutups. Ray can differentiate run reads vs pass reads very well. A physical tackler who stops ball carriers in their tracks and offensive linemen better bring their lunch when they have to block him because he is elite at block destruction with effective escapes. He does a nice job of staying inside out on the ball versus outside runs and gets there with bad intentions. He is very effective in pass drops and clues the QB well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14866001/Raymond-Kovalesky">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14866001/Raymond-Kovalesky</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370256' first='Turner' last='Garretson'], 6' 218, Sr. Parkersburg South - </strong>Turner is a tremendous football player who plays the game with unbridled enthusiasm and makes big plays on Defense and Offense. He always seems to hit the ball carrier square in order to stop his progress and brings his feet on contact. He is one of the best at tracking the ball carrier and closes the run lanes by having patience to fall back on cutups. He is physical when he is defeating blocks and very athletic when he is tracking down outside runs. Turner clues the QB very well and he is very quick when he reacts to passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14544698/63afd6444dec8a0f7c43a2f6">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14544698/63afd6444dec8a0f7c43a2f6</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gerrard Wade, 6'1 183, Sr. Bluefield - </strong>Gerrard is one of the most athletic linebackers in the '24 class in West Virginia. He is a difference maker in all three phases of the game. He is fantastic at reading his keys and is fast enough to run down outside runs as the backside linebacker. He has very effective pass drops and can play man to man very well. He is a great blitzer and is gifted at clearing his body past a blocker with outstanding acceleration in order to bend to the quarterback. He is a physical football player with solid tackling skills who makes an impact on the game no matter where he plays on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14972700/Gerrard-Wade">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14972700/Gerrard-Wade</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370356' first='Casey' last='Minor'], 6'1 182, Sr. North Marion - </strong>Casey is a physical linebacker who attacks the line of scrimmage. He reads his keys well and can get skinny through the run lanes in order to make a tackle. He sees tunnel screens very well and understands how to clue the quarterback. He runs well inside out on the ball carrier and is very physical when he beats blocks. He gets great extension on a blocker and escapes blocks very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14942877/Casey-Minor">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14942877/Casey-Minor</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370261' first='Dylan' last='Fleak'], 5'11 175, Sr. Parkersburg South - </strong>Dylan is an exceptional blitzer off of the edge and punishes the QB on contact. He is an outstanding outside contain player on runs and passes. He is a physical tackler. He uses his hands well versus blockers and gets great separation when it is time to make a play. He is athletic and will make plays in space. He has fantastic zone drops and has the speed in order to play man to man. He also makes big plays on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14905977/dylan-fleak">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14905977/dylan-fleak</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xiomar Henry</strong>, <strong>6'1/2 195, Sr. Nitro - </strong>Xiomar is a very talented athlete who has a fantastic linebacker skill set. He is a physical tackler who reads his keys very well. He has the speed to make plays on the perimeter. He has a great understanding of pass drops and does a nice job of reacting to the throw. He makes plays all over the field and can play man to man. He is exceptional at mirroring the quarterback and attacking the football. He uses his strength very well when he is rushing the passer and can bend to the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16324802/Xiomar-Henry/about">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16324802/Xiomar-Henry/about</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Linebackers are ready to demonstrate their skills at the West Virginia Prep Football Showcase this week and are a great representation of the football talent in our state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->