Winter Showcase Top Performers (Linebackers)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the Prep Redzone Tennessee Winter Showcase at the Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, it's time to highlight some of the top performers in each position that raised their stock in front of different coaches and scouts. Without any further ado, here's my list of the most impactful standouts in the linebacker position that made their presence known.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540034"],"_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":"In first place on my list of top performers is [player_tooltip player_id='540034' first='Lucas' last='Szymborski'], an athlete at Cleveland High School. In addition to outstanding size and speed, what impresses me about Szymborski is his ability to read the offense like a book and disrupt the passing game down the stretch. I also like Szymborski's ability to attack the ball in the air and haul in interceptions. Szymborski also stands out in the pocket, proving he can both apply pressure and sack the quarterback. It was no surprise that Szymborski left Murfreesboro as the linebacker MVP.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a700a31440e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["250830"],"_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":"I was additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='250830' first='Jayden' last='Carter'], a linebacker at Coffee County Central High School. Carter stands out with his quick execution and explosiveness in the pocket, showcasing his ability to blast past the offensive line to drop the quarterback to the ground. I also like how Carter can utilize his quick execution from along the edge, proving his ability to spot the running back off the snap and quickly dismantle the rush in the pocket.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a700a314467"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1125291"],"_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":"Claiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1125291' first='Sebastian' last='Buckhold'], a linebacker at Collierville High School. In addition to solid footwork and electric speed, what impresses me the most about Buckhold is his physicality and composure. I also like how Buckhold can adapt to his opponent, stun his foe with his strength and apply pressure on the gunslinger. Buckhold also stands out with his ability to match strength and create disorganization with his shiftiness in the pocket.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a700a3144ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1137205"],"_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":"Another prospect to show off his skillset in Murfreesboro was [player_tooltip player_id='1137205' first='Matthew' last='Covert'], a linebacker at Maryville High School. What makes Covert so impactful defensively is his ability to read the quarterback as well as his ability to quickly react and adapt to the offense. I also like how Covert can use bursts of speed to maneuver the pocket, stop the rush and pick up sacks. Another aspect of Covert that stands out is his ability to read the passing game and haul in interceptions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a700a3144f1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["942774"],"_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":"Coming in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='942774' first='Wesley' last='Ritzen'], a linebacker at Battle Ground Academy. In addition to his ability to stop the offense off kickoff, what stands out about Ritzen is his ability to protect the backfield from ground weapons, showcasing his strong footwork and commanding stopping power in the pocket and from along the edge. I also like how Ritzen can use his arms to push off the offensive line as well as his ability to quickly catch and sack the quarterback off the snap.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a700a314533"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1118582"],"_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":"Also making his presence known at the Winter Showcase was [player_tooltip player_id='1118582' first='Karsen' last='Matthews'], a linebacker at Smyrna High School. In addition to great defensive explosiveness, what impresses me about Matthews is his ability to read the short pass and be in prime position to pick off the quarterback. Another aspect of Matthews that stands out is his stopping power, exerting his strength on tackles to force the occasional loose ball. I also like how Matthews can quickly surprise and sack the gunslinger.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a700a314575"} /-->