’23 Preseason Super 7 – 5A Linebackers

<!-- 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 –&nbsp;</strong>July is flying by, which means a new high school football season is right around the corner. It will be here before we know it.</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. Next up are the linebackers. Let's start with 5A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245544' first='Malachi' last='Curvey'], '25, Waukee - </strong>The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Curvey is one of the top players in the state. He reports scholarship offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri heading into his junior season this fall. <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16464689/63c3291e32dd9c04088f1d58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curvey's 10th-grade highlights </a></strong> provide a glimpse into the high-end potential here. The speed and quickness look special. He delivers whether he's coming off the edge or roaming around behind the line. He compiled 14 solo tackles (5.5 for loss) with 4.0 sacks. He impacted a lot of plays beyond that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Augustine Sleh, '24, Des Moines North - </strong>Sleh (6-4, 205) <a href="https://twitter.com/AuggieSleh/status/1660470483521794048?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported a scholarship offer</a> from Northern Illinois on May 21 and accepted it on the spot. He also claimed an offer from Lindenwood. He recorded 25 solo tackles and 6.5 stops for loss during '22. Sleh's <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16365451/6310de208cd41e0cdcddaf58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> reveal a versatile linebacker capable of impacting plays no matter where he lines up. He's fast and physical. He could end up playing end or linebacker at the next level depending on how he develops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247990' first='Draven' last='Woods'], '24, Southeast Polk - </strong>Woods (6-3, 215) has been a fixture on defense during the Rams' state title runs the last two seasons . He's totaled 129.5 tackles (108 solo, 39.5 for loss) and 10.0 sacks. As you can see during his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12808742/63b5b28890f8d1071cb1da5d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, Woods is excellent in pursuit. He finds multiple avenues to the ball. Sometimes it's speed. Sometimes it's strength and technique. It's almost always because of keen play recognition. If he can keep his athleticism as he adds muscle, look out. Woods was the lone non-senior on the IPSWA's all-state first-team in '22. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Calvin White, '24, Cedar Rapids Kennedy - </strong>The 6-foot, 210-pound White, like Woods, reads the play well. It makes sense. He's the head coach's kid. Beyond his knowledge, White plays fast and with strong technique. He's adept at rushing the quarterback coming from the defense's second level. You see it all on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14922774/635deefc5b3d5d0c701bc651" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. The IPSWA named White to its second team last fall following a season that saw him total 55.0 tackles (42 solo, 17.0 for loss) with 5.0 sacks. White claims an offer from Grand View, and attended a lot of junior days, including Kansas State, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota and Lindenwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='575645' first='Ashton' last='Honore'], '24, Iowa City West - </strong>Honore (6-1, 220) paced 5A in tackles for loss last fall with 27.0. He registered 46 solo tackles among his 66.5 total stops and added 7.5 sacks. Watching <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15152143/634c795006622b046427e391" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honore's junior highlights</a></strong> is entertaining. He is effective lining up all around the Trojan defense. Strength stands out in his game and he changes directions well. You can see him directing teammates before the snap, an important trait for linebackers. Honore reports a college opportunity from Wisconsin-Platteville, and has taken visits to Iowa, Iowa State and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden McClain, '24, Sioux City North - </strong>Last fall saw McClain (5-9, 185) pile up an impressive 72.0 tackles (48 solo, 15.0 for loss) with 3.0 sacks. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14102962/635b2c3f02b20315c4106c59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> are a fun watch. His athleticism stands out and plays a big role in him consistently making tackles. He shows strong signs of reading offenses well, helping him be in position for success. He claims college football opportunities from Mount Marty, Buena Vista and Dordt. He camped at South Dakota State this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Connor Kayser, '24, Ankeny - </strong>Kayser (6-4, 210) can diagnose plays at a high level according to his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14827419/63712e24ff02750998cbea57" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight reel</a></strong>. He's excellent against the run and there are clips of him holding up well in pass coverage. He offers a nice blend of speed and physicality. He totaled 42.5 tackles (11.0 for loss) with 2.0 sacks in '22. He reports scholarship offers from Marshall, Lindenwood, Northern Iowa and North Dakota. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->