Best Linebackers on the Recruiting Trail

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois has absolute thumpers roaming the second level of defenses that are still looking for their next level home. These are powerful, hard hitting, rangy athletes that are going to be able to make the stops between the tackles at the next level. I'm excited to see what these student athletes do in their senior seasons, but while we wait for that time to come let's dive into the tape of the top uncommitted 2024 LBs across IL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891211"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Loyola Academy has a dude rushing off the edge in the 6'4u0022 220 lbs OLB [player_tooltip player_id='891211' first='Ethan' last='Hogg']. He sure looks the part of a D1 edge rusher with his long frame and limbs. The tape shows a talented player as well. Ethan has an explosive first step at the snap, finds the ball, and reacts accordingly. Whether he reads pass and continues his rush, or reads run and either sets the edge with power or quickly squeezes laterally down the line to chase down the play from behind. Ethan does everything with power. He is a stout, sturdy prospect who doesn't get knocked off balance or his path to the ball, and he can stand up linemen in their tracks. Hogg is also a high motor player. There is a lot to like about Ethan. Don't be surprised to see his senior year tape earn him more D1 offers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c5bbf6099f4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271880"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jack is a force in the middle of the Marmion Academy defense. He is a downhill, hard-hitting thumper against the inside run. Lesher can shed blocks with power or get around block attempts with his agility. When he meets an RB in the hole he is a very sound tackler who explodes into the ball carrier and runs his feet. You will rarely see him go backwards when tackling. Lesher also has proven that he has some range to his game to be able to pursue outside the tackle box. He also can line up out in the slot and play with enough range to cover a zone. His quick ability breakdown a play adds to his range because he can quickly get himself in position to make a play. He is definitely one of, if not the best, off ball LB still uncommitted in IL.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c5bbf609a4d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271818"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 6'3u0022 215 lbs OLB from Geneva HS is an impressive athlete. Tommy seems to thrive out in space or off the edge. His best traits all revolve around explosive athleticism, like his first step get off at the snap that allows him to get to the heels of OTs. Tommy also excels when he plays off the ball and is asked to drop into coverage. He is a smooth athlete who can run or slide in any direction quickly and naturally. He is able to turn and run with RBs/TEs/WRs in short areas, and he does a great job of getting in passing lanes and breaking up passes. No surprise to see he already holds 11 D1 offers. I expect that list to grow during his senior year as he continues to show he can be a three down LB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c5bbf609a92"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["119388"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Noah is another athletic LB that will be a big impact player in coverage. He is undersized at 6'2u0022 195 lbs, but the tape is hard to argue with. Noah also plays WR and that experience has amplified his play on the defensive side of the ball when dropping into coverage. When playing in coverage, Noah has shown very fluid hips, natural change of direction, and the speed to run with outside weapons. The athletic LB has also shown great hands to create turnovers. Noah also offers the range to be able to blitz from the slot and get to the QB before the ball is thrown. Noah should see a big rise in his recruitment this fall as he takes the field roughly 15 lbs heavier than he was in 2022. He looks the part already of an excellent third down LB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c5bbf609ad4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898670"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Dominique is a fun player to review on tape. Listed at 6' 185 lbs, Dixon is more of an OLB/Nickel mix than a pure LB. Whatever you want to label him doesn't matter. He is a good football player. Dixon has elite speed and range for an LB. He consistently lines up on the slot and proven that he has can easily turn and run with them all over the field. Dominique has excellent reactive athleticism that allows him to stay with receivers as they make cuts. The '22 State Champ also uses his great athleticism to be a very effective blitzer. Dixon can fly through gaps with great timing to disrupt plays in the backfield. He is a weapon that teams need on the field at the next level. He has offers from Wyoming and Eastern Illinois.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c5bbf609b15"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["865828"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Our final LB standout brings the prototypical size you look for on the edge. Christian checks in just under 6'4u0022 and is already 230 lbs. His play on the field is similar to that of your typical edge defender. A lot of his game revolves around power, short area agility, and a high motor. He is able to set a hard edge against the outside run and either force it inside or make the stop himself. The big man also has solid speed off the edge to be able to pressure the QB and has the power to bull rush OTs back into the QB. You also see him be used on twisting stunts as the man doing the stunt. I could see him in a two point or three point stance at the next level. He holds an offer from Central Michigan.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c5bbf609b56"} /-->