’23 Preseason Super 7 – 2A Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-5a-linebackers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 Class 5A LBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-4a-linebackers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 Class 4A LBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-3a-linebackers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 Class 3A LBs </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down in link for all classes)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 RBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 WRs (</a>scroll)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 TEs (scroll</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-offensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 OL (scroll</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 DL (scroll)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa – </strong>We've reached the no-contact week for high school sports around the state. It's arrival signaled that the Aug. 7 kickoff date for football practice was quickly approaching. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To help get us prepared, we're listing seven top players returning at each position in all seven classes. You can read about the positions we've covered at the links above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're digging in on defense. Here are the 2A linebackers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156453' first='Preston' last='Ries'], '24, Monticello - </strong>The University of Iowa pledge gashes defenses as a quarterback for the Panthers but will start out at linebacker in college. Ries (6-2, 205) racked up 46 solo tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks as a junior in '24. He added an interception. When watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14912449/637966199a91ac038cc8a16f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, he looks like he's playing a speed or two faster than everybody else. He's quick and physical with good instincts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='848063' first='Jake' last='Krebsbach'], '25, Osage - </strong>Krebsbach (5-9, 165) enjoyed a sophomore season in '22 that saw him accumulate 82.0 tackles (65 solo, 5.0 for loss). His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18171978/636950fdb023a304c804ba1f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10th-grade highlights</a></strong> reveal an athlete that diagnosis plays quickly and flows very well to the ball. He's a technically sound tackler and seems to enjoy physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlie Watts, '25, Roland-Story - </strong>I was going to make a reference to the late, great drummer by the same name, but it's likely dated material in this space. This Charlie Watts was the only non-senior named to the IPSWA first or second all-state teams for 2A in '22. And he just was a sophomore. He recorded 81.0 tackles (55 solo, 3.5 for loss). Unfortunately, Watts (6-2, 200) does not have any video highlights posted in his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16073792/Charlie-Watts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grant Gray, '25, Northeast - </strong>Gray (6-1, 200) plays with good tempo during his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16292200/632bc5864df5e104e4de68de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a></strong> from last fall. He runs well sideline-to-sideline and consistently wraps up upon arrival. He reacts quickly while play is unfolding, often putting him in position for the stop. He totaled 74.0 tackles (58 solo, 5.5 for loss) last season. He returned a fumble and a kickoff for touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunter Gregory, '24, Central Lee - </strong>The Hawks benefited from Gregory (6-0, 195) contributing 69.5 tackles (42 solo, 3.0 for loss) and 2.0 sacks to their cause in '22. Gregory has posted individual game highlights from last fall on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14621237/Hunter-Gregory/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong>. They offer a good mix of clips featuring his versatile skill set. He has a knack for returning punts, can pick up yards as a running back and pursues very well as a linebacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter DeBates, '25, Iowa Falls-Alden - </strong>DeBates (6-0, 195) is the fourth junior on this list. He's coming off of a 10th-grade campaign that saw him register 50 solo tackles among his 63.0 total stops. He also recovered a fumbled and picked off a pass. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13322798/64481900f31e1d0eec1bd1c9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlights from last season</a></strong> show us a complete linebacker. He processes information and reacts quickly. He's athletic and likes to hit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880262' first='Cooper' last='Gates'], '26, West Liberty - </strong>The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Gates enjoyed a fine freshman season that saw him post 58.0 tackles (42 solo, 9.5 for loss) with three sacks. He added three rushing touchdowns. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18282228/Cooper-Gates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong> includes just a few clips from his ninth-grade year. One shows him somehow emerging from a pile of players and scoring on run. The other one is a TD sprint where he displays impressive speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->