5 Rising Senior LBs Ready to Breakout Next Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we begin to look at the landscape of Minnesota High School LBs, standout players like [player_tooltip player_id='945940' first='Jeffrey' last='Ratliff'], [player_tooltip player_id='436161' first='Chase' last='Brixius'], [player_tooltip player_id='945922' first='Kaleb' last='Weikel'], [player_tooltip player_id='945901' first='Cal' last='Nitti'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1207411' first='Michael' last='Naber'] bring a unique blend of skills and attributes that elevate their teams. Ratliff, a player of great size for a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/minnesota/rankings/2025-rankings/?position=LB">linebacker</a>, displays exceptional versatility, transitioning between edge rusher and coverage backer. His athleticism and football IQ position him as a dynamic player on the field. With his quickness off the ball and powerful hits, Brixius is a relentless and instinctive player, making significant contributions on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other hand, Weikel is the epitome of an old-school linebacker, known for running over ball carriers and making sure tackles with a tenacious mentality. His physicality and disciplined pursuit angles make him a challenging presence for offenses. With great instincts and tremendous athleticism, Nitti disrupts plays with explosiveness, firing downhill while displaying an understanding of both run fits and pass coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naber adds a layer of unpredictability to defensive formations by possessing a quick trigger off the snap and remarkable versatility. His proficiency in fighting through blocks, secure tackling, and agility when scraping the line of scrimmage make him a valuable asset in both run and pass defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article dives into the full spectrum of their games and shows us why they are poised for a big senior season <a href="https://www.mshsl.org/sports-and-activities/football">next year</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["436161"],"_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":"Brixius possesses several attributes that will set him apart from other linebackers next season. His remarkable quickness off the ball, complemented by his strength as a powerful hitter, gives him a clear advantage when attacking the line of scrimmage. His natural instincts and ability to read plays showcase a high football IQ and great understanding of the game. Combining that with his explosiveness downhill allows him to recognize and disrupt plays as they unfold. Brixius's agility is evident in his loose hips and great footwork, highlighting his overall athleticism. His football IQ shines through when he reads the quarterback's eyes. He's quick to recognize what the offense is giving him, as he makes smart decisions when triggering downhill and is strategic in his approach. In summary, Brixius combines quickness, power, instinct, and athleticism, making him a valuable asset on the defensive side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65775004974f9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945940"],"_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":"Ratliff is a versatile linebacker with exceptional size and a commanding physical presence. There's a dynamic element to his game, as he can blitz off the edge or drop back into coverage, putting the offense in conflict with how he's deployed. When he's coming off the edge, Ratliff is a smart player, not biting on fakes, scraping the line of scrimmage and firing downhill. He stays square and is quick to read and react to what the offense is giving him. His athleticism is a key asset, allowing him to recover, evade blocks, and deliver impactful hits. Ratliff's pursuit skills and solid speed make him a threat in all areas on the field. Overall, his well-rounded skill set, dominance in run defense, versatility, and athleticism position him as a promising player with the potential to make a significant impact next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6577500497358"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945901"],"_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":"Nitti stands out with a skill set marked by special instincts, exceptional tackling, and relentless pursuit. His keen awareness and ability to read plays highlight his ability to u0022see it and go get it,u0022 making him a dynamic linebacker. Nitti's tackling ability is evident in his capability to square up ball carriers and execute powerful tackles with good form, contributing to his effectiveness in run fits. His explosive downhill play disrupts plays in the backfield, making him a tough linebacker to run against up the middle or to the edge. In pass defense, Nitti's ability to read the quarterback's eyes allows him to close in on receivers or explode out of his breaks to make a play on the receiver and create contested opportunities. Nitti does a great job cutting off angles and making tackles on the boundary with a red-hot motor in pursuit. His technique when dropping to his landmark is tremendous, highlighted by great footwork and fluid hips. As he prepares for his final year of high school football, there's a lot to his game to be excited about.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6577500497688"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1207411' first='Michael' last='Naber']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Shakopee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Naber is an exceptional linebacker known for his versatile and instinctive skill set while being a hard-hitting, blitzing linebacker. His quick trigger off the snap provides an immediate advantage against opposing offensive linemen, and he has the versatility to line up in various positions. With his size and athleticism, he's a tough defender to make miss. When he gets his hands on the ball carrier, more often than not, he's bringing them down, using his overall strength and delivering an impactful hit. He plays with a high level of physicality, making him a tough defender to account for at any moment in the game. He does a great job fighting through blocks and remaining square with the ball carrier, ensuring secure tackles and powerful hits. His ability to scrape the line of scrimmage with great lower body mechanics and a burst of speed when firing downhill makes him very disruptive against the run game. Naber exhibits great footwork and smooth transitions in coverage, highlighting his agility and athleticism. He understands where his landmark is in zone coverage, gets to it quickly while reading the quarterback, deciphering what's in front of him, and will explode downhill to disrupt passing lanes or deliver a big hit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657750049760c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945922"],"_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":"Weikel embodies the nature of a classic, old-school linebacker known for his punishing and physical style. He is a force to be reckoned with, capable of dominating ballcarriers with a relentless and tenacious mentality. His strength at the point of attack is a defining characteristic, disrupting plays and being a wrecking ball on defense. Weikel's sure tackling is a standout feature, marked by his overall strength that ensures opponents aren't getting out of his grasp. His strong frame contributes to his physicality, making him an imposing linebacker for offenses to worry about throughout the entirety of the game. Beyond his physical attributes, Weikel's mental toughness and relentless attitude further distinguish him as a player capable of setting the tone for a defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6577500497586"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we conclude the deep dive into five Minnesota High School Football LBs, the profiles of [player_tooltip player_id='945940' first='Jeffrey' last='Ratliff'], [player_tooltip player_id='436161' first='Chase' last='Brixius'], [player_tooltip player_id='945922' first='Kaleb' last='Weikel'], [player_tooltip player_id='945901' first='Cal' last='Nitti'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1207411' first='Michael' last='Naber'] present an exciting narrative of rising senior linebackers ready to make a mark in the upcoming season. Their diverse skills and play styles clearly show how talented the upcoming class of senior linebackers is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The approaching season promises breakthrough performances, with Ratliff showcasing his versatility and athleticism. With lightning-quick instincts and powerful hits, Brixius is a breakout player set to cause problems for every offense he'll face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Embodying an old-school tenacity, Weikel is set to bring an imposing physical presence to the field, while Nitti's dynamic playmaking abilities in both run and pass defense will impact the entire season. With his quick trigger off the snap and versatility, Naber adds an element of unpredictability for offenses and is always a threat to make a play in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll be keeping a close eye on these five, who are set to have breakout seasons and be dominant for their respective teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->