Best I Saw at the Minnesconsin Camp: LBs
In this article:
Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! The Minnesconsin Mega Camp brought us an LB for every defense. We saw the rangy, smaller, new age LBs that flew around the field. We saw the bigger off ball LBs.…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingUse code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription!
The Minnesconsin Mega Camp brought us an LB for every defense. We saw the rangy, smaller, new age LBs that flew around the field. We saw the bigger off ball LBs. There was even a strong group of LBs that lined up primarily off the edge. After taking in as much of the group as I could, we have this list of 13 standouts that caught my eyes with their performance. We start with a rangy, violent LB out of Racine, WI.
Michael has impressed me every time I’ve crossed paths with him. The 5’11” 190 lbs LB brings an exciting combo of athleticism and violence to the field. Michael showed off the athleticism at the Mega Camp in River Falls. He posted a 9’2″ broad jump, 34.7″ vertical, and a 4.71 40 yard dash. On tape, Michael flies around the field. He can rush the edge or drop into coverage and run with RBs, WRs, or TEs. King transitions that speed into hit power when tackling and also the ability to drive OTs off the ball despite being undersized. Michael is built to win out in space. He could be a key contributor at the next level in passing situations/ third down.
One of the more impressive LBs on the hoof was the 6’2″ 225 lbs athlete out of Plymouth. Ryan fits best as an edge defender. At the next level that will most likely be out of a two point stance. Ryan is a powerful athlete. He is able to take on OTs/TEs, hold his ground, shed and make the tackle at the line. He can also stuff pulling linemen. Watching him on tape, Koll plays with noteworthy awareness and intelligence. He diagnoses plays and has the range to get out in space to make stops when he needs to. As a pass rusher, Ryan wins with power to bull rush or power right through OL on the way to the QB. Give the DE/OLB a look.
The 6’1″ 207 lbs OLB was another strong performer. His 7.12 L-Drill matches his fluidity in space. He is able to flip his hips and run, or change direction smoothly. He runs his feet through contact when making tackles and uses his hands to fight through blocks. Harry has shown three down versatility with his coverage skills. He really excelled on tape in zone coverage where he was able to read the QB and react quickly. His timing with his hands broke up passes. Leinen also has sufficient strength on the edge against the run. Give the Watch List prospect a look.
Teagan had a performance that matched his tape very well. The 6’1″ 200 lbs LB plays very fast on tape. It is all because of his high football IQ and play recognition. Fox has highlights that make it look like he knew the play before the snap. That quick play diagnosis allows his solid lateral agility be even more effective as he slides from gap to gap mirroring the ball carrier. Teagan also has impressive strength. He takes on blockers and uses his hands to shed and then quickly make the tackle. Teagan has seen his stock really pick up steam during camp season. Don’t miss out on him.
Highlights
You have to head north of the border to watch this impressive LB prospect. The 6’2″ 201 lbs LB broad jumped 9’7″, vertical jumped 34.7″, and a 7.25 L-Drill. Mason is at his best when attacking downhill off the edge. His short area burst and agility allow him to win in the trenches as he makes OL miss. Mason also has adequate athleticism to be able to drop into coverage and has shown that he can break up passes and react to routes quickly. He holds one offer from the University of Manitoba.
Highlights
Teams need to get the East Ridge LB on their radars ASAP. The 6’3″ 208 lbs athlete ran a 4.77 40, broad jumped 9’8″, and vertical jumped 36.9″. The long, lean OLB shows off that lower body explosion on tape with an excellent first step. His range allows him to blitz effectively from off the ball. He gets off the ball so quickly that OL have a hard time getting out to him or connecting pullers on him before he closes on the ball. The speedy edge rusher gets off the ball so quickly that he hasn’t had to develop his pass rush moves. As he gets coached up there Bern is going to become even more dangerous. He has earned an offer from North Dakota.
Highlights
Manny is another LB prospect on this list who excels in space. The athletic LB checked in at 6’1″ 180 lbs during the camp. He ran a 4.75, broad jumped 9’1″, put up a dominant 6.81 second L-Drill, and 4.37 pro agility. On tape, Manny lines up on the edge at OLB and off the ball. From there, Manny flies around the field making plays. His speed and get off give him the advantage when he rushes the edge. Manny also is a natural athlete who can turn and change direction easily when he drops into coverage. Manny checks off a lot of boxes. He is productive, has the athleticism you want, and has shown the high football IQ needed at the LB position.
Highlights
Another great performer coming in from Minnesota is the Champlin Park LB. Heinen checked in at 6’1″ 205 lbs, hit a broad jump of 9’6″, vertical of 36.6.” and a 4.75 40 yard dash. That powerful burst and straight line speed have made him a dominant downhill defender. It has made him very productive with 15 TFLs and 3 sacks. His timing maximizes that lower body power. Matthew sniffs out the ball quickly and closes rapidly on the ball. Heinen turns that burst into both hit power and the power to bull rush OL. Don’t sleep on the powerful LB.
The 5’11” 206 lbs LB is a name that should be on more radars. He is a downhill thumper of an LB. Trenton is explosive in the short area. He put up a 7.03 L-Drill and 4.39 pro agility during the combine of the Minnesconsin Mega Camp. Radloff excels when against the run. He plays downhill quickly and with power to shed blocks. Trenton is a very reliable tackler who runs his feet to the ground. Lastly, Radloff impressed me with his quick play recognition and ability to put himself in position to make the stop. His lateral mobility gives him that ability. Trenton holds an offer from Drake currently.
Highlights
The MN LBs really caught my eyes during the Mega Camp. Another one of the was the Lakeville South athlete. Aiden checked in at 6′ 190 lbs, ran an impressive 4.70 40, broad jumped 9’2″, and had a strong 7.05 L-Drill. What is more impressive is that Aiden spent his junior year making plays from the IDL. Despite being over-matched when it comes to size, Aiden made an impact with his powerful lower body and lateral agility that made it hard for OL to stay square on him. Aiden also has strong burst out of his stance that gives him a head start over the OL. I’m excited to see if we get to see him at LB this fall. We could see a fast rise if he does. Either way, give him a look.
Highlights
The THIRD LB from Franklin HS in WI that caught my eyes was Will Graffin Will Graffin 6’2″ | 195 lbs | LB Franklin | 2024 State WI . Will is a very athletic prospect. The 6’1″ 187 lbs athlete posted a 9’6″ broad jump, 34″ vertical jump, 4.85 40 yard dash, and a 7.26 L-Drill. That athleticism is well used in his role on the Franklin defense. Graffin is used at OLB and out in the slot. There he is able to use that strong athletic profile to cover ground in space. He is able to read and react, change direction on a dime, and his range allows him to run with slots and TEs. This kid is a riser for me, and will be a strong chess piece for a DC at the next level.
A 2025 that will be turning heads the next few years is Frankie McAninch. Frankie is a 5’11” 186 lbs LB. The soon to be junior hit a great broad jump of 10′, 36″ vertical, and a 4.87 40 yard dash. Frank made a role for himself on kickoff coverage. There he was able to use his speed and hard hitting tackling. Tackling that showed up on defense as well. Frank closes and runs his feet through the hit. McAninch also has shown developing instincts for the MLB position. He has the athletic traits that will become even more impactful as his experience and instincts improve. Get this kid on your radars early.
We end with an up and coming LB prospect from WI. The Tomah junior checked in at 6′ 190 lbs. He also proved to have the athleticism of a next level prospect. Bruce broad jumped 9’3″ and ran a 4.90 40 yard dash. The ’25 LB has already piled up varsity experience as a sophomore. He lined up primarily at OLB. There, Bruce was able to use a strong firs step and lateral agility to get into the backfield and make tackles. I’m excited to see his junior season play out. He has made noticeable improvements over the past year. Get him on your radars.