Rising Prospects: Class of 2025 Linebackers in Illinois
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Heading into their junior season campaigns, here are some of the top Class of 2025 linebackers who are flying up recruiting boards across the country. Drake Mosley IL #45 LB #3 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 205 POS LB CLASS 2025 View…
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Continue ReadingHeading into their junior season campaigns, here are some of the top Class of 2025 linebackers who are flying up recruiting boards across the country.
The 6’2, 215 lbs linebacker from O’Fallen showcases versatility across the field. Showing reps at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and defensive end, Mosley brings physicality from wherever he is lined up. Mosley has the ability to diagnose and get downhill in the run game in a hurry. He plays light on his feet and showcases his strong lower body that helps him drive ball carries backwards. Mosley is highly instinctual, as he can scrape and shed blocks with ease while meeting ball carriers at the point of attack. Between his frame, athleticism, and versatility, Mosley is poised for a break out junior season.
The offers are starting to roll in for the Class of 2025 linebacker from Oswego. Standing at 6’3 and weighing 21o lbs, Cooney is a natural LB who can do it all. In the run game, Cooney is extremely quick to the ball. He can diagnose blocking schemes and get downhill with urgency to meet the ball carrier in the hole. Cooney is smooth with his pass drops, as he can fly to his spot and protect the middle of the field. Cooney is also a sure-handed open field tackler. Once he gets locked in the the ball carrier, the odds are Cooney is going to make the play. Heading into his junior campaign, be on the lookout for Cooney.
Wade is a 5’11, 175 lbs outside linebacker from Naperville Central. Wade impressed in his sophomore season, as he showcased athleticism and physicality throughout his tape. Wade runs extremely well, and is equally as good in coverage as he is playing the run. Wade gets to the ball with urgency and is a powerful tackler who uses outstanding technique to bring down opposing players. He is explosive at the hips and uses his lower half to meet ball carries at the point of attack and drive them backwards. In the pass game, Wade can get in and out of breaks as smooth as a defensive back and has outstanding ball skills that led to several pass break-ups as a sophomore. Wade’s stock is on the rise heading into his junior year.
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The 6’0, 200 lbs outside linebacker from Chicago was a force in his sophomore campaign. Kingsbury plays with a violence off the edge that all college coaches look for. Last season for St. Rita, Kingsbury was nearly impossible to block. Whether he was faced with an offensive lineman, tight end, or wide receiver, Kingsbury showcased the ability to shed blocks with ease and deliver big hits on opposing ball carries. He throws his body into offensive players, often knocking them back on their heels and driving through them. Kingsbury also showcased some impressive plays on special teams, as he blocked a punt last year and delivered some devastating blocks to pave the way for his returners. In his junior season, opposing teams better know where Kingsbury is at all times.
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Chandler possesses all the attributes that elite linebackers have. In his sophomore campaign, the 6’1, 220 lbs linebacker showed off the physicality, athleticism, and ball skills that put his name on the map. Chandler hails from Kankakee and has the natural ability to take the ball away. He has a great frame and runs extremely well. Chandler is a strong tackler who plays with low pad level. He is not afraid to get downhill and meet ball carriers at the point of attack. These raw skills will only get better as time goes on. Heading into his junior season, Chandler’s stock continues to climb.
Highlights
The 6’1, 200 lbs outside linebacker from Hoffman Estates jumped off the tape immediately. Cleveland was extremely impressive in the pass game in his sophomore year. He had 4 interceptions and several pass breakups that made him look like more of a defensive back than a linebacker. He understands zone coverage and reads the quarterbacks eyes to undercut throws or drive on the football to take it the other way. Cleveland was also no slouch in the run game, as he sets the edge with physicality and runs downhill. This attributed to several tackles for loss last season. He is a strong tackler in the open field and explodes through running backs to drive them backwards. Cleveland is a do-it-all OLB who continues to fly up recruiting boards heading into his junior year.