2023 Kickoff Series: LB Preview
In this article:
A look at five of the best returning linebackers in the state before the 2023 season. Moving on with the Kickoff Series, we will highlight the 2nd level of the defense with the linebacker position. Much like every position in…
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Continue ReadingA look at five of the best returning linebackers in the state before the 2023 season.
Moving on with the Kickoff Series, we will highlight the 2nd level of the defense with the linebacker position. Much like every position in this series, there’s an incredible number of extremely talented linebackers, so narrowing down the list to just five was difficult. Nevertheless, here are the five players that I feel could have the strongest seasons in 2023.
Brock Paquet, Windsor Wizards (LB)(Sr.)(24) – Paquet is a player that was one of the state’s best off-ball LBs as a junior in 2022, being an absolute tackling machine from the first game of the season all the way to the Wizards’ opening round playoff loss. The numbers that Paquet put up in 2022 were extremely impressive as he accounted for a remarkable 141 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, an interception, and a pass deflection. When you watch the film of Paquet’s junior year, you can see he displays a great nose for the football as he always seems to be around the ball carrier on almost every play. Displays a good understanding of leverage and hand strength/placement when at the point-of-attack with an opposing blocker. Physical LB that can quickly stack and shed an opposing blocker to get to the ball carrier. Savvy LB that displays good awareness when maintaining the edge while pursuing a ball carrier from the back-side of the play. Shows outstanding bend when turning the corner while he’s rushing the passer. Displays a good, down-hill first step out of his stance that allows him to quickly fill his run fits. High intensity LB that displays an aggressive demeanor and a hot motor when taking on a blocker or pursuing a ball carrier. Paquet is currently unranked on recruiting boards with his smaller frame for the position (5’10, 190lbs) probably being the reason some haven’t given him more attention on the recruiting trail but, regardless, there’s no doubt that if he has a strong senior season leading the Windsor defense that he’ll generate more recruiting buzz.
Angelo Petrides Angelo Petrides 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Cherry Creek | 2024 State CO , Cherry Creek Bruins (LB)(Sr.)(8) – Petrides might be one of, if not the most, gifted LB on this list by the time the 2023 season is finished and is already considered by many to be the best at the position in his class. If his junior year in 2022 is any indication, he’ll be a force for the Bruins’ defense, as he registered an incredible 127 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 2 interceptions. When you turn on the tape of Petrides’ season in 2022, the first thing that jumps out about him is his combination of elite foot speed and explosiveness out of his stance that allows him to drive downhill quickly and fill running lanes. Excellent overall athleticism with outstanding lateral agility allows him to play the prototypical rangy, sideline-to-sideline role of modern Mike backers, but his larger frame (6’1, 225 lbs) allows him to be a durable force in run support. Displays good use of hands at the point-of-contact to stack-and-shed blockers before pursuing the ball carrier. Highly intelligent, disciplined LB in run support with a good understanding of how to attack the blocker’s outside shoulder and set the edge without over-pursuing the ball carrier. Shows incredible pop/force at the point-of-contact with either a would-be blocker or the ball carrier. Elite tackler in space that has shown the consistent ability to eat up ball carriers and play like a heat-seeking missile in the open field. Shows good awareness when dropping into zone coverage, consistently being around the ball. Highly physical, extremely aggressive defender that shows high-level traits that translate to the collegiate level. Petrides is currently ranked the number 1 LB and the number 4 player overall in the class of 2024, which isn’t shocking at all given his combination of tape, production, and frame that all translate to the highest levels of competition for a college prospect.
Brody VanCleave, Poudre Impalas (LB)(Sr.)(17) – VanCleave might be the most underrated player on this list, or really any of the lists that I’ve done recently, as he was a world-beating edge defender at the outside backer position for a very good Poudre team. VanCleave posted some of the best numbers of any LB in the state as a junior in 2022, as he registered an extraordinary stat line of 124 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception. Diving into the tape of VanCleave’s junior year, you quickly see he displays elite first-step explosiveness out of his stance, often using that alone to overwhelm opposing blockers. A combination of outstanding length and elite explosiveness out of his stance allows him to easily convert speed-to-power when using a bull rush. Shows excellent bend when turning the corner on an opposing tackle, consistently winning over the blocker if given the corner. Long armed, very technically sound pass rusher that has an overpowering combination of hand technique, placement, and timing at a young age that gives him another leg-up on opposing blockers. Extremely tenacious edge defender with a motor that runs white-hot, never quitting on the play no matter where he’s at on the field. Shows unbelievable force and strength at the point-of-contact with both opposing blockers and ball carriers. Extremely versatile, chess-piece of a pass rusher that can play both a standard 4-3, hand-in-the-dirt end position or a 3-4 standup LB/rush end position at a high level but is probably at his best as a standup edge rusher. VanCleave is currently unranked on recruiting boards, which is an absolute travesty given how good his tape and production are combined with a long frame (6’3, 190 lbs) that can add plenty of weight. Whatever collegiate program takes a flier on VanCleave will be getting a diamond in the rough for their defense.
Joey Finnegan, Berthoud Spartans (LB)(Sr.)(21) – Much like VanCleave, Finnegan is another player that is extremely underrated in the recruiting world given his production as a junior on a good Berthoud defense. Glancing at the numbers the Spartans posted in 2022, he accounted for an impressive 101 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Putting on the tape of Finnegan’s dominant junior season, you can see that he displays great first step explosiveness off the edge, often using that alone to overwhelm opposing blockers. Good acceleration out of his stance allows him to consistently convert speed-to-power. Displays good bend when turning the corner, forcing the opposing tackle to overextend when trying to maintain protection on the edge on passing downs. Long armed, technically sound pass rusher that shows a good understanding of hand technique, placement, and timing that gives him an edge when athleticism alone won’t win. Tenacious, high motor defender that will relentlessly pursue the ball carrier downfield. Is at his best when playing a stand-up edge rusher role, typically played by defenses that employ a 3-4 scheme. Shows good power at the point-of-attack when making contact with a ball carrier or opposing blocker. Finnegan isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards, with his shorter frame for the position (6’0, 200 lbs) and lower level of competition that the Spartans play at (2A) probably being the reason he’s not getting much recruiting buzz. Regardless, he is absolutely a talented player that will be a very important piece to a Spartans 2A state title run.
Carter Daniels Carter Daniels 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Mountain Vista | 2025 State CO , Mountain Vista Golden Eagles (LB)(Jr.)(0) – In my professional opinion, I feel that Daniels is the best player on this list given his tape and production, because it’s mind-boggling. As just a sophomore in 2022, Daniels accounted for an eye-popping 176 tackles, 33.5 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections, an interception, and a blocked field goal to top it all off. When you look at the film from Daniels’ all-world 2022 season, you can see that he always seems to be around the ball because of a combination of his extremely high motor and incredible first-step explosiveness out of his stance. Savvy LB that shows relentless effort whether working to shed a block, pursuing the ball carrier, or coming downhill to fill his run fits. Displays exceptional explosiveness out of his stance allowing him to consistently maintain power and pop at the point-of-attack when making contact with the ball carrier or an opposing blocker. Highly consistent tackler with good form that shows with very few missed tackles in the open field in 1-on-1 situations, routinely wrapping up and driving his legs through contact. Good hand strength and placement that allows him to stack-and-shed most opposing blockers consistently. Daniels is currently ranked the number 2 LB and the number 15 player overall in the class of 2025, which feels low given how unreal his tape and production are. With that being said though, he is still one of the best defenders in the state, regardless of position, and will see his ranking rise if he can have a strong junior season for Mountain Vista.